Book Review: Bullets and Bandages, Robert Saniscalchi

Bullets and Bandages

Robert Saniscalchi

American Book Publishing

P.O. Box 65624

Salt Lake City, UT 84165

www.american-book.com

ISBN: 978-1-58982-247-4

The author has provided us with a very high impact and emotional view of a soldier's journey during the Vietnam War. As a psychologist who has worked with Vietnam vets, I believe that Mr. Saniscalchi has given readers a good insight into what our soldiers went through and the emotional trauma they encountered. No wonder many vets don't talk about their time in Vietnam.

Through the eyes of his brother, the author tells of his time in Nam. No one, not even our soldiers could ever imagine the hell they were getting into. From watching your friends get killed, to being afraid of small children and wondering each day if it was your "day" young soldiers put their life on the line to try to win a war that they didn't understand.

The impact of serving in this war was devastating to many - not only did our soldiers die or become severely wounded, they were rejected by society when they came home. They didn't get heroes welcome like soldiers in Afghanistan are getting today. No wonder they don't talk about what happened in Nam or what it is like to relive it everyday of their life. How can one explain what they saw or experienced? Who would believe them? These are demons that are hidden in their mind. Some are lucky in that they are able to talk about their tour of duty, like the author's brother.

This is a book that everyone should read- not just soldiers or veterans. The descriptions, vivid accounts and soldiers represented in this book will give everyone an idea of what our soldiers then and now are going through. It is a salute to all.

I know after reading this book and I have read many accounts over the years, gave me a better understanding of what my own brother encountered till the day of his passing due to psychological and physical injuries from Nam.