All wars are fought twice; the first time on the battlefield; the second time in memory. From the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel The Sympathizer comes a searching exploration of the conflict Americans call the Vietnam War and Vietnamese call the American War―a conflict that lives on in the collective memory of both nations.From a kaleidoscope of cultural forms―novels; memoirs; cemeteries; monuments; films; photography; museum exhibits; video games; souvenirs; and more―Nothing Ever Dies brings a comprehensive vision of the war into sharp focus. At stake are ethical questions about how the war should be remembered by participants that include not only Americans and Vietnamese but also Laotians; Cambodians; South Koreans; and Southeast Asian Americans. Too often; memorials valorize the experience of one’s own people above all else; honoring their sacrifices while demonizing the “enemyâ€â€•or; most often; ignoring combatants and civilians on the other side altogether. Visiting sites across the United States; Southeast Asia; and Korea; Viet Thanh Nguyen provides penetrating interpretations of the way memories of the war help to enable future wars or struggle to prevent them.Drawing from this war; Nguyen offers a lesson for all wars by calling on us to recognize not only our shared humanity but our ever-present inhumanity. This is the only path to reconciliation with our foes; and with ourselves. Without reconciliation; war’s truth will be impossible to remember; and war’s trauma impossible to forget.
#105256 in Books Harvard University Press 1985 1988-04-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.93 x .49 x 6.00l; .45 #File Name: 067427041X169 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Loved by deaf peopleBy Old enough to know betterI am a physician and have a number of patients who are deaf. I also live near Martha's VIneyard. Over the years I have purchased this book for a number of them and their response is extremely positive. I have also gotten it for sign language interpreters. They all loved it. If deaf people are enthralled by this book you know it has to be worth reading.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not Just a Book About Sign Language; But Quite InterestingBy Brian S. ShafferI initially read this book 20 odd years ago for a class and found it very interesting. It really isn't just a book about sign language; but a combination of early history of Martha's Vineyard; seafaring; societal norms; social perceptions; deafness; sign language; with a sampling of population genetics theory presented in such a manner that no genetics background is necessary to understand.One of the lessons I came away with from the book is that the concept of being handicapped is really a cultural perception. At one point; Groce is interviewing one of the old timers from the island who was recounting individuals who had lived in various houses. Groce noted that it might have taken two or three interviews before the person remember that a given individual had been deaf. Deafness was not perceived as a handicap as it was fairly common place in the early Martha Vineyard's society. Instead; it was simply seen as a trait; like being tall or short or speaking a different language. As a result; everyone learned sign language and Martha's Vineyard society was notably different from other societies on the other islands or on the mainland as a result; with different communication dynamics.This is a very interesting read. Over the years I have shared this book with several individuals.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy anne palmarielloVery interesting how well accepted the deaf were embraced
