My book, Viet Nam Body Count is available on Amazon.com:
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
And at BarnesandNoble.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viet-nam-body-count-mushroom-montoya/1115883930?ean=9781484132821
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Amazon.com REVIEWS:
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.
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.
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!
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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.
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By Ann Davis August 7, 2013
I know Neal would have wanted to read this
book, so I ordered it and will read it to him--I know he will be
listening from above♥♥
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By Mary Montoya August 7, 2013
Just finished this book. I never understood my brother's issues when it
came to being in the Navy during this time. I was shocked at what was
really going on. Very enlightening. Good read, humor to lighten the
subject and very personal account to keep you connected to the
characters. I recommend this book to everyone! My only critique, I want a
sequel to find out what happened to everyone after the war!
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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
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5.0 out of 5 stars By Anonymous Wonderful book. So honest and compelling. The story unfolds so August 30, 2013
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.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A Voyage of Discovery, September 23, 2013
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
- Mushroom was able to bring humor to a heart wrenching situation. I found this very tough subject easier to read knowing that
Mushroom survived this horrific ordeal and is alive and well and able
to tell his story. Thank you for sharing. You are very brave, my
friend.
