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Title details for Dispatches by Michael Herr - Available

Dispatches

by Michael Herr
Ray Porter
Audiobook
3 of 3 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
3 of 3 copies available

One of the greatest examples of war journalism ever written, Michael Herr's collection of dispatches from the front lines of the Vietnam War reveal with shattering impact how that war differed from any combat theatre fought before. Herr's clearheaded yet unsparing retellings of the day-to-day events in Vietnam take on the force of poetry, capturing the unique flavor of the time and place and finding clarity in one of the most incomprehensible events in our modern era. A National Book Critics Circle finalist and highly acclaimed upon its publication, this modern classic retains its powerful resonance as America finds itself in the midst of another military quagmire.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 4, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781481568128
      • File size: 244179 KB
      • Duration: 08:28:42

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Michael Herr's DISPATCHES--based on his reporting for ESQUIRE magazine--remains one of the seminal texts in our understanding of the American experience in Vietnam. His unblinking, earnest, but absurdist treatment of a hundred landing zones, fire bases, base camps, and Saigon hangouts before and after the Tet Offensive in 1968 is full of powerful images, unforgettable characters, and haunting scenes of violence. Those unfamiliar with the original will recognize its flavor from derivative works like APOCALYPSE NOW and FULL METAL JACKET. Like many sixties classics, DISPATCHES is not long on structure. This lack of structure is no impediment for the listener. Like Homer's ILLIAD, Herr's war stories seem suited to being spoken rather than read. Ray Porter provides the perfect clear, clipped, but not overdramatic narration. Porter's occasional character voices enrich the text without distracting from it. F.C. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      August 5, 1991
      American correspondent Herr's documentary recalls the heavy combat he witnessed in Vietnam as well as the obscene speech, private fears and nightmares of the soldiers. ``Herr captures the almost hallucinatory madness of the war,'' said PW. ``This is a compelling, truth-telling book with a visceral impact, its images stuck in the mind like shards from a pineapple bomb.''

    • Library Journal

      October 1, 2009
      Herr's ("The Big Room") classic 1977 memoir about his time as an "Esquire" reporter covering the Vietnam War, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist, elucidates those soldiers' lives like few other books have managed. In this audio production, veteran actor/narrator Ray Porter reads with controlled force, delivering a very strong performance. He gives the soldiers voices of their own, presenting their dialog with appropriate expression and credible accents. Military historians will enjoy this.Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Lynchburg

      Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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