Homecoming: When the Soldiers Returned from Vietnam

Homecoming: When the Soldiers Returned from Vietnam is a collection of letters and correspondence published in 1989, compiled by Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene. The book emerged from Greene's 1987 newspaper column investigating claims of Vietnam veterans being mistreated upon their return home. The letters document veterans' experiences across multiple states, cities, and social settings throughout the Vietnam War era. Greene presents these firsthand accounts with minimal editorial commentary, allowing the veterans' testimonies to stand on their own. The publication sparked debate and controversy, with some supporting the veterans' accounts while others questioned their veracity. Greene's methodology involved attempting to verify the authenticity of submissions before including them in the final collection. The book represents a significant contribution to understanding the complex relationship between American society and its returning Vietnam veterans, revealing patterns of civilian-military interactions during a divisive period in U.S. history.

Readers report this book offers raw, unfiltered accounts from Vietnam veterans about their returns home. Many note it reveals perspectives rarely discussed in other Vietnam literature. Readers appreciated: - First-hand accounts without commentary or interpretation - Focus on the homecoming experience rather than combat - Inclusion of different viewpoints and experiences - Simple interview format Common criticisms: - Interviews feel repetitive - Lacks context and background information - Some accounts seem abridged - Basic editing and organization Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (32 ratings) Sample reader comment: "The power is in letting veterans speak for themselves without trying to shape their stories into a larger narrative." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader notes: "Important stories but needed more depth and follow-up questions to fully understand each veteran's experience." - Amazon review

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Collection of interconnected stories from Vietnam soldiers reveals the physical and emotional burdens carried during and after the war.

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam edited by Bernard Edelman Letters written by service members in Vietnam to their families present unfiltered perspectives of the war experience through real-time correspondence.

Nam: The Vietnam War in the Words of the Men and Women Who Fought There by Mark Baker Oral histories from 150 Vietnam veterans document their experiences during combat and their return to civilian life.

A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo Marine lieutenant's memoir chronicles his transformation from idealistic soldier to disillusioned veteran during and after his Vietnam service.

Working-Class War: American Combat Soldiers and Vietnam by Christian G. Appy Historical study examines the social backgrounds of Vietnam veterans and their experiences returning to their communities across America.

🔸 Bob Greene's column about Vietnam veterans' homecoming experiences received over 1,000 letters within weeks of publication - one of the largest reader responses in Chicago Tribune history. 🔸 Many veterans who contributed to the book had never shared their experiences before, having kept their stories private for over 20 years until Greene's column gave them a platform. 🔸 The book includes accounts of soldiers being spat upon at airports - a widely reported phenomenon whose actual frequency has been debated by historians and researchers ever since. 🔸 Several veterans in the book describe wearing civilian clothes immediately after returning home to avoid public attention or harassment, a practice that became common during the later years of the war. 🔸 The compilation helped spark a national conversation about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam veterans, which wasn't officially recognized as a diagnosis until 1980.