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Vietnam: A visual investigationCD review by Rod Simpson
I sometimes visit the Takapuna market early on a Sunday morning. Now the Takapuna market and the Hoa Long market have absolutely no resemblance I'm sure, but there I was ferreting around amongst a pile of old books, tapes and CDs when I saw it ... 'Vietnam, a Visual Investigation' ...
"Only $10.00" said a voice beside me, but I was too involved reading the cover ... 'Over 40 minutes of captivating ABC news video detailing key battles', ... 'video interviews with the former CIA director William Colby and numerous peace activists', ... 'over 300 photographs of pivotal events' ... 'the full text of the highly respected book America's Longest War' ... 'excerpts from the Pentagon papers, Ho Chi Minh's declaration of independence, LBJ's famous speech, all the names on The Wall, dozens of personal experiences, and much more.'Well this was too much for a young lad like me, I had to have it, but it wasn't that easy. First I had to listen to a young man half my age who I'd never seen before expounding his theories on the stupidity of the war and everyone involved. I listened intently and said nothing, after all who was I to argue, he may have been right. Parting willingly with my money, I headed home to my computer. Amazing I figured how they can put all this information, and years of research on a flimsy piece of plastic. If only we'd had these computer thingies 30 years ago, we'd have won for sure. That evening I dimmed the light in my 3rd bedroom, put on my fatigues, laced up my combat boots, and with my replica M16 beside me, fired up my Pentium. Within moments I was there in the Central Highlands in the midst of an airborne assault. Bullets were whining, mortar bombs exploding, and someone was screaming orders amongst the confusion. Who gives a damn that the voice had an American accent. I reached for my M16, and came back to reality. Dammit, ... but heck, what a way to spend an evening. Seriously folks (for a moment if you will) you too can experience this extreme form of fun and excitement simply by contacting Barry at ICON CDs phone (09) 303 1214 or fax (09) 303 2130. For a mere $15.00 he'll post one of these new CDs to you anywhere in NZ .. (buy one for the kids, you won't have to tell them what you did in the war). The writer admits (after life threatening interrogation) that he doesn't own any fatigues, combat boots or even a replica M16, but he does have a computer. Rod is a Vietnam veteran and member of the NZPFOCA. |