Kontum Diary Captured Writings

The casualties of Vietnam extend far beyond the battlefield. More than two decades after the war's end, Sergeant Paul Reed remained a prisoner of his Vietnam experience. Endlessly tormented, he returned, at his mother's suggestion, to the relics of war that had remained sealed in his footlocker for nearly twenty years. Buried among his effects was a knapsack containing the personal diary of a fallen North Vietnamese officer.
As he pored through his enemy's belongings, he was struck at first by the realization that the "animals" he had been trained to kill were, in reality, caring, loving people. The Kontum Diary contained the writings of Nguyen van Nghia, whose poetry told of his love of family, country, and life. At this point, Paul Reed began to heal. He committed himself to finding the family of the soldier and returning to them the testament of their dead relative's love.
Just before his return to Vietnam, Paul was startled to learn that the man he had presumed dead was still alive. Months later, deep within the jungles where they once fought, they embraced each other as friends.

"Truly a different kind of Vietnam war story! A brutal candid account of Reed's war at the bayonet level; followed by an insightful, heartfelt,and compassionate revelation of his astonishing discovery of a sense ofhumanity in common with the enemy he had been trained to hate and kill.Kontum Diary can be a learning experience for us all."
LT. GEN. HAROLD G. MOORE - USA retired, Co-author, We Were Soldiers Once ...and Young.

"Kontum Diary is a poignant confirmation of the ageless and universal dynamicof warriors on opposite sides of the field, of every fighting man's dark suspicion that the 'other guy' could be a lot like him.
CAPT. GERALD COFFEE - USN Retired, Motivational Speaker, Author, Beyond Survival, Former POW

"For many American's, the Vietnam War remains a touchstone. Kontum Diary offers a compelling, poignant testimony of the forces of war, compassion, and acceptance. It's a story of hate turned tounderstanding, friendship, and forgiveness--a real inspiration.
JOEGALLOWAY - Senior writer, U.S. News & World Report, Co-author, WeWere Soldiers Once ...and Young, Former Vietnam war correspondent