Curse of Interesting Times: A Vietnam-Era Memoir

Today amidst political divides and unending military involvement in the Greater Middle East, the Vietnam quagmire feels familiar. In Ken Burns recent documentary The Vietnam War, he spoke of "the seeds of disunion” sewn during that time. He believes that Vietnam is "central to understanding who we are now.” Fake news, mass demonstrations, stolen documents—not new! Enter Amity Bridge Books' new release Curse of Interesting Times: A Vietnam-Era Memoir by Patricia Ann Paul.

Paul opens with President Lyndon Johnson's announcement on March 31, 1968, that he will not run for a second term due to the Vietnam War. Contemporary events situate each chapter historically, including political, judicial, musical, and film happenings. That year was the Age of Aquarius. Hair opened on Broadway; 16,889 American soldiers died in Vietnam; Martin Luther King, Jr and Robert F Kennedy were assassinated; Anti-Vietnam War riots roiled the Democratic National Convention; Americans elected Richard Nixon, the only president to resign. In June 1968 Paul graduated from university and married eight days later. She began her adult life under the curse of interesting times.

Her memoir relates the adventures of two engaged university students caught in the military draft during that tumultuous year. Relieved to be stationed in Germany, they begin an adventurous journey adjusting to army life while discovering castles and cathedrals. But they struggle financially to live together and constantly fear his transfer to Nam. Living immersed in tragic reminders of the Cold War and World War II, they confront clashing reports about Vietnam. Their contrasting identities as former students, now military, complicate the issues. Paul explains, "It was difficult to unravel what was happening. What was right? What was wrong?"

Besides the Burns' documentary, numerous fiction and nonfiction books tell tales that glorify or horrify combat in Vietnam. But what about the 1.3 million American boys, almost 70% of all draftees, who served elsewhere? How did their experience shape their lives? Their story remains in the shadow of heroism and ultimate sacrifice, untold. Yet it was still an emotional battle set in political turmoil similar to today. Curse of Interesting Times offers a healing perspective intended to spark discussion.