Vietnam as They Knew It
Jerry L. Staub
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 979-8313446158
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (06/2025)
Vietnam as They Knew It: A Tribute in Verse to All Brave Men and Women Who Served There is a wonderful tribute to the many veterans who were a part of this tragic time in history. This compilation by Jerry L. Staub is a riveting read, whether you are old enough to remember Vietnam or whether you are just looking to be educated about a part of history. I can honestly say, not being a person who reads a lot of poetry books, that this is one that should definitely be read by everyone. It is very unique, and the poems are mesmerizing.
Vietnam as They Knew It has a little bit of everything. These are real experiences, told by real people who were there, that this author has turned into poems, and he has done an incredible job in retelling the stories. These poems cover every facet of the different parts of war. From being a part of a battle, to the dangers you face from the terrain, being in prison, losing friends to death, receiving horrible treatment from people who should have been grateful for your service when you return home, or post-traumatic stress disorder, there is nothing that is off-limits in this book. It is a different kind of book that is filled with emotion and honesty surrounding this very controversial time in history.
The Vietnam War was one of the most contentious times in U.S. history…both emotionally and politically… and this book covers all of the realities of the time and what the people who participated in that time had to go through. The poems are each very well-written and tell honest stories as they were related to the author. Drawing all this information from real people, Jerry L. Staub has created something that allows readers an inside look into the people, places, and facts that are a part of the Vietnam War.
I do feel the need to impart a warning for readers in regards to the photos and text included in these pages. This book does contain some graphic descriptions and photos, and I would suggest that readers consider that and how it will affect them personally before reading. This being said, the author has done justice to all the stories he has included, and the writing is really perfect and accurate in terms of the topics.
Jerry L. Staub’s Vietnam as They Knew It is an amazing collection of prose that made me cry, made me think, helped me to learn many things, and just kept me riveted throughout the pages. I highly recommend it to others and commend this author for what he has accomplished on these pages. It will be very interesting to see what he creates next. Mr. Staub, I would like to thank you for your own service to our country and for such an amazing literary work. 5 Stars!!