http://www.amazon.com/Viet-Body-Count-Mushroom-Montoya/dp/1484132823/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375476082&sr=1-1&keywords=mushroom+montoya
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Amazon.com REVIEWS:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well written and captivating insight into the Viet Nam war.
July 10, 2013
By S. Edwards
I have witnessed the spiritual/emotional/mental damage that happened
to people that fought in the Viet Nam war, having been a teenager/young
adult during that time. Very few returning veterans would ever talk
about it, keeping it all inside, suffering from PTSD in one form or
another. Viet Nam Body Count helps me to understand how young men, (many
kids themselves) that wanted to serve their country, and those that got
drafted, faced impossible moral dilemmas in the atrocities of the Viet
Nam war. The collective belief is that we go to war to keep America
free, to stop the bad guy. The reality is quite different. It includes
big business making money, and people interested in furthering their
military careers at the expense of innocent people.By S. Edwards
This book triggers many emotions - deep sadness, compassion, disbelief, outrage, and hopelessness, to name a few as I came to understand what it was really like for some in Viet Nam. It provides insights to what our servicemen and women go through as they try to come to grips in following orders to kill their fellow human beings, many of them innocent civilians and fellow servicemen, when it goes against everything in the core of their being. We don't come into this world wired to kill, and for some, no amount of training can change that.
This 349 page book is one that I didn't want to put down. It goes beyond being an account of time spent at war; it gives a voice to the damage war causes to one's soul. Thank you Mushroom Montoya for writing this. Perhaps in some small way it will contribute to consciousness being raised that killing is not the answer to insure a peaceful world, for the damage is more than the body count of those that died - no one really wins.
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I read a review and was interested in this "story" about "Nam". I
never went but many of my friends and family did. If you'd like more
insight about this "war", pick up a copy and give it a read. Written
with sensitivity and grace by a yet-to-be well know author with a name
you won't forget. I simply could not put it down. Now I want more...
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By William McDonald August 3, 2013
First, my only complaint: It’s difficult to read
with the cat disabling my right arm so that I only have my left hand to turn
pages and hold the book.
It was quite an experience to be with you through all of
your Viet Nam
experiences. I felt as if I were with you throughout the book. You
really brought me into your world of that time. By the way, I really
enjoyed Keegan’s brogue.
I read Dalton Trumbo’s book, Johnny Got his Gun, in the 60’s. It was lent to me by a good old pacifist who is no longer with us. He only lived to be 97! He was quite vocal about his opposition to the war when he was a professor of math at the University of Michigan. He left and took a job at the University of Quebec , where he was more comfortable.
I read Dalton Trumbo’s book, Johnny Got his Gun, in the 60’s. It was lent to me by a good old pacifist who is no longer with us. He only lived to be 97! He was quite vocal about his opposition to the war when he was a professor of math at the University of Michigan. He left and took a job at the University of Quebec , where he was more comfortable.
Somehow, through him, I got a subscription to a Chinese
publication at the time that had the Chinese version of the news from
North Viet Nam
in which some of the weapons we were using were described. They were not
designed to kill, but more to disable, which would require more resources for
their care; things, like napalm, that we would never use against people of
European origin. I wish that I had saved some of them. They were
like little newspapers.
As we say: War isn’t the answer.
Thank you for writing it. I hope I can get some of my playmates to buy a copy (or 2). It is a very good read!
As we say: War isn’t the answer.
Thank you for writing it. I hope I can get some of my playmates to buy a copy (or 2). It is a very good read!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
I finished the book with tears in my eyes
August 6, 2013
By Flamenco Romántico
Body Count, by Mushroom Montoya is a well written and moving book about the horrors of war and its toll on all involved. Mushroom went to Viet Nam as an innocent young man intent on defending his country. The book chronicles his awakening and awareness of what was actually happening. One feels the horror of killing innocent people and the beauty of nature as Mushroom chronicles his spiritual journey. His writing is poetic and poignant and I had a hard time putting the book down.
At the end, I had tears in my eyes. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to experience a first hand account of war. I recommend this book for anyone interested in history. I recommend this book for anyone thinking of enlisting in the military. Mushroom is a beautiful and engaging writer and who he is as a person shines through his writing.
By Flamenco Romántico
Body Count, by Mushroom Montoya is a well written and moving book about the horrors of war and its toll on all involved. Mushroom went to Viet Nam as an innocent young man intent on defending his country. The book chronicles his awakening and awareness of what was actually happening. One feels the horror of killing innocent people and the beauty of nature as Mushroom chronicles his spiritual journey. His writing is poetic and poignant and I had a hard time putting the book down.
At the end, I had tears in my eyes. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to experience a first hand account of war. I recommend this book for anyone interested in history. I recommend this book for anyone thinking of enlisting in the military. Mushroom is a beautiful and engaging writer and who he is as a person shines through his writing.
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By Ann Davis August 7, 2013
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By Mary Montoya August 7, 2013
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5.0 out of 5 stars Viet Nam Body Count August 9, 2013
By Barbara Eknoian, author of "Chances Are:A Jersey Girl Comes of Age.
Viet Nam Body Count - A Real Account of War
Viet Nam Body Count takes us into the hearts and minds of Mushroom Montoya, along with his fellow sailors. For those who serve honorably in the military, this book reveals that war is not only hell, but its effects remain with the sailors, soldiers and marines forever, especially when they've seen acts of horror that they themselves deem immoral.
When given the opportunity to get even with an officer, Montoya chooses to live with his integrity intact, and inspires the reader to believe: One should do unto others as you would want them to do to you.
I highly recommend Viet Nam Body Count to enlighten us all about war, honor, and the remnants it leaves behind for those who serve.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Important history August 11, 2013
By Max Ediger
This is important reading for people who want to know more about how many US soldiers serving in Viet Nam felt. Most were not gunho about the war and this book gives a personal account of one such soldier. Good reading
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5.0 out of 5 stars
From the Heart
August 16, 2013
By Nancy L. Mary Author of Carnal Academy and Bird Boy
I don't read war novels, nor do I watch war movies. I walked out in the middle of "Saving Private Ryan." I couldn't take the overwhelming sadness of the violence. But Mushroom Montoya's Viet Nam Body Count is not a war story. On one level it is, of course. But the real story, at a deeper level, is the account of how a young man, raised a Catholic, finds himself on a Navy ship in 1972, on his first mission "to drive out the communists and make Viet Nam safe for democracy." At the end of that day, three young Vietnamese boys--civilians--had been killed. The gunner was ecstatic, having killed "three targets with two shots." Sailor Montoya saw it differently: he and his shipmates on the USS Tripp had just blown up children.
Montoya does fight enemies in his tours in Viet Nam. But they are on the ship, in the form of ignorance, bigotry and denial. Montoya was born in New Mexico, USA. The ship's captain wants to know if Montoya joined the military "to become a citizen," and Montoya tries to convince the captain that New Mexico is a state.
The ship's captain calls for a meeting of a group of "minority sailors" to meet and discuss issues they might have related to discrimination on the ship. A "Jap," a Filipino, a couple of Blacks and Mushroom are part of the group that has been identified. Mushroom's immediate boss, Chief Jaffe puts himself on the committee claiming that being Jewish makes him a minority. He doesn't quite get it....
Finally, at the end of two tours of combat, Mushroom Montoya makes a brave decision to face a possible dishonorable discharge, and requests a six month early out, declaring himself a conscientious objector. After his attempts to serve his country, he has come to the conclusion that "war is not healthy for children, parents, and other living things."
This book is from the heart. You should read it. My husband kept me up at night reading this book.
Nancy Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars By Anonymous Wonderful book. So honest and compelling. The story unfolds so August 30, 2013
By Nancy L. Mary Author of Carnal Academy and Bird Boy
I don't read war novels, nor do I watch war movies. I walked out in the middle of "Saving Private Ryan." I couldn't take the overwhelming sadness of the violence. But Mushroom Montoya's Viet Nam Body Count is not a war story. On one level it is, of course. But the real story, at a deeper level, is the account of how a young man, raised a Catholic, finds himself on a Navy ship in 1972, on his first mission "to drive out the communists and make Viet Nam safe for democracy." At the end of that day, three young Vietnamese boys--civilians--had been killed. The gunner was ecstatic, having killed "three targets with two shots." Sailor Montoya saw it differently: he and his shipmates on the USS Tripp had just blown up children.
Montoya does fight enemies in his tours in Viet Nam. But they are on the ship, in the form of ignorance, bigotry and denial. Montoya was born in New Mexico, USA. The ship's captain wants to know if Montoya joined the military "to become a citizen," and Montoya tries to convince the captain that New Mexico is a state.
The ship's captain calls for a meeting of a group of "minority sailors" to meet and discuss issues they might have related to discrimination on the ship. A "Jap," a Filipino, a couple of Blacks and Mushroom are part of the group that has been identified. Mushroom's immediate boss, Chief Jaffe puts himself on the committee claiming that being Jewish makes him a minority. He doesn't quite get it....
Finally, at the end of two tours of combat, Mushroom Montoya makes a brave decision to face a possible dishonorable discharge, and requests a six month early out, declaring himself a conscientious objector. After his attempts to serve his country, he has come to the conclusion that "war is not healthy for children, parents, and other living things."
This book is from the heart. You should read it. My husband kept me up at night reading this book.
Nancy Mary
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Wonderful book. So honest and compelling. The story unfolds so naturally and you are drawn into the hearts and minds of the characters. I know this had to have been a very cathartic mission for the author. What a marvelous testament to the lives of all those who live this story for real. Looking forward to the next book from this author.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A fine read!, September 7, 2013
By Arthur G. Yaffe (West Palm Beach, FL USA) -I'm well acquainted with the author and with his ability to weave a
story, so I looked forward to reading his book. I'm about 1/2 way
through (I cheated and read the last chapter right after the first
chapter, but it's not a spoiler.) and I love this book. Mushroom - not a
pseudonym, by the way, is a great author, and his stories have a ring
of truth to them. If you survived the Viet Nam war, either in the
service or stateside arguing about it's morality, this book is a fine
read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Shaman seeks to heal old wounds, September 18, 2013
By Rob Mood -Mushroom Montoya is a fresh, original voice in American letters. This emotional expose' of sins of the past should wake up the nation to the perils of the future. Should be required reading in today's schools; will probably be banned in Texas.
By Rob Mood -Mushroom Montoya is a fresh, original voice in American letters. This emotional expose' of sins of the past should wake up the nation to the perils of the future. Should be required reading in today's schools; will probably be banned in Texas.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A Voyage of Discovery,
By Farelegno -When I read Jerry Large's Seattle Times article last week about Mushroom Montoya's Viet Nam Body Count, I knew I had to read it. I got to know Mushroom and his wife Denise as neighbors many years ago, and have missed them since they moved back to Long Beach, California. Unfortunately, since then we only see them occasionally.
I knew little about Mushroom's background. What was always evident, though, was his gentle soul. I certainly didn't know how brave a soul he is. I wasn't aware of the underlying turmoil that resulted from his Viet Nam experience and the loss of his son. I am so glad he wrote this exceptional book. It was realistic, but not maudlin in the least. I even finally found out how he came to be called Mushroom!
Mushroom centers his book on the physical killing of this sad war. He dedicates the book to parents on all sides who lost their children during the war. For Mushroom, it was about finding himself an unwilling participant in the senseless carnage. But for me, the impact was in the emotional deaths that took place, even for those who did not serve. Some more than others, but all of us who lived the period came out out wounded.
When I bought Viet Nam Body Count, I was not sure I was going to be able to make it through it. Thank you, Mushroom, for carrying me through the experience with humor and hope. It is a celebration of your brave and gentle spirit.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, December 20, 2013
By
Dawnzella Gearhart
