M*A*S*H Vietnam: What it's like to be a war nurse
M*A*S*H Vietnam shows how one young nurse survived the day-to-day drama in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Vietnam. Dealt in a frank, no-holds-barred tone, the book uncovers the operations of a MASH unit in a combat zone and the bleak hardships of war. This story is not so much about a war but about a regular nurse who followed her passion, her desire to do good, into the middle of a war zone, and her mixed emotions going home to a country torn by an unpopular war, uncertain how she will be treated and even uncertain how she will relate to family and friends. This firsthand, behind-the-scenes account of what Vietnam was really like in the middle of war is memorable, informative, and ought to be required reading for everyone in our war-prone world.
Reader reviews
I too am a disabled Viet Nam veteran crediting nurses with saving my life in 1969. I wrote a book, 'Pacified Zone' published in 2004 covering my military time from 1966 to 1969. I was in Vietnam from November '68 to October '69. I will be forever thankful for the rapid work they did on me.
Instead of the day in the life of an American nurse in Vietnam, it's more like the war in the life of an American nurse. It contains sweat, hate, mildew, fear, panic, excitement, exhaustion, awe, appreciation, love, and compassion.
Thank you for your service. Ms. Griess.
If you want a story about a nurse's one year rotation in Vietnam with no war, next to no death and hardly any patient stories this is for you. It's a very light account and although well written, the lack of emotion kept me for giving it any more stars. She doesn't have any human stories and it's like the author didn't make any friends as there are no stories of her interacting on a deep, personal level with anyone during her time in Vietnam.
I found myself reading between the lines and once again felt the tiredness and emotional drain, smelled the smells, heard the sounds of choppers, and experienced both the adrenaline rush and sadness. I was most taken with the author’s feelings and experiences after returning to the States. I too remained in the army for 28 years and also felt I had a story that no one was really interested in hearing. Thank you, Lorna, for your heartfelt story.