"Hi - I am Helene Kappler Parry and Eddie/Gus is my Brother. I read these letters 55+ years ago when we received them, then again when I found them in a box and now have read the book twice. I am so glad I saved these letters and hope that reading them in a book form helps Veterans or anyone suffering from PTSD to understand what Eddie explains in the book about getting help and this is okay.
We as a country and individuals owe all the Veterans, male and female, Physicians and nurses a tremendous thank you for everything they have gone through to help our country and also each one of us to be able to live our lives in freedom. The book has made a tremendous impression on me now that I am older, Thank you Eddie - sorry just can't say Gus!"
"Gus is so deeply himself and wouldn't dare to be anyone else. He's blunt, funny, and genuine. The letters are interesting in that so much is contained within so few words. To read the context after opens up a whole world.
The Vietnam War was a deeply complex war; this book helps outline how. Thank you, Gus, for sharing with the world!"
"Gus’s letters and accompanying commentary bring to vivid life what only a few Americans have experienced or can appreciate: the horrors of war and its devastating after effects on those who fight for us. His plea to those who govern at the end says it all: Our soldiers are not expendable. They should not be left alone to 'sink or swim.' "
"This book is an honest and emotional story of a young man’s year long experience as a trauma surgeon on the front lines during the Vietnam war. and it needs to be understood by all those who have been affected by the horrors of war. It also demonstrates that this disorder can be managed to enable our warriors to return to their real world."
"Gus has the ability to put his experience in Vietnam on paper that all can read and understand. The key to rehabilitation is to seek out others and share your story. This book helps veterans do exactly that."
"Gus Kappler, MD, has been saving lives all his life, from his work as a combat trauma surgeon in Phu Bai, Vietnam in 1970 through his current work in welcoming Veterans home with his fireside chats in Amsterdam, NY. He is relentless in helping Veterans work through the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. This latest offering from the fourteen letters that he wrote to his little sister, Helene, is testimony to the life he lived in Vietnam and the ravages of war that he dealt with. Not all the trauma was found in the operating room, as the reader will learn. A riveting account of how over that year he descended deeper into PTSD. And while he continues to recover, he shares his experiences and his ordeals. A must-read for Veterans and any first responder who has suffered from PTSD."
"A MUST READ FOR EVERY VIETNAM VETERAN !!!! This is a great follow up to his first book : WELCOME HOME, FINALLY. He slowly descended into increasing PTSD based on his experiences and how he coped with them. Looking back at his experiences he relates how the United States government misled the country on the dangers of Agent Orange and the long term poisonous effects it has had and our Vietnam Veterans. As he progresses, the author clearly describes his increasing anger and disgust and DISTRUST of the actions of our government. Neatly laid out and explained as the authors year in Vietnam progresses to DEROS and beyond."
Explore both for my Vietnam surgeon memoir and One Degree, An Historical Medical Mystery