Free Fire Zone by Basil T. Paquet, Larry Rottmann, Wayne Karlin (1973, Book, Illustrated)

I should probably clarify my praise by noting it contains one of my stories. Pretty darned good book anyway with a lot of authenticity, stories by guys who were there. Any military buff who can accept contrarian views by soldiers about VietNam by guys (no women contributors) on the ground, might appreciate this.

The stories range from sophisticated -- several were initially magazine published -- to just flat blunt. Writers range from officer's to "men." The book was a project of First Casualty Press and co-published, or whatever, by McGraw-Hill, at least in the hard cover edition. I think the editors may been associated with the VVAW, but I won't swear to that. Themes, however, are definitely anti-war.

The book was very well reviewed in Atlantic Monthly by Frances Fitzgerald, author of "Fire in the Lake," her exceptional non-fiction work. The stories seem to hold up well over time. The book was never a "best-seller," but this is consistent with almost any short story anthology.

My memory is that the writer's were paid $50.00 per contribution and that was that.

If you come across a hardbound or soft cover edition for a couple of bucks, pick it up. It offers an authentic insight into anti-war sentiment from soldiers on the ground. Great literature, I don't know. As expressions of less than "gung-ho" sentiments from soldiers, it's worth a go.