This is the story of how a young American - that would be the author - psychologically survived the absurd waste of time, money and life that was the Vietnam War. In the spirit of full disclosure, this is not a "What did you do in the war, Daddy" sort of book. This is a "How I best remember getting through it" sort of book. To that end, the tongue engages the cheek just enough to attempt to take the edge off the deadly seriousness of the whole thing. Everything told here is true and happened in the manner described. I should point out, however, that I report events as if I were Pogo - Walt Kelly's brilliantly conceived observer of the ebb and flow of things. Through Pogo's eyes things always looked ridiculous.