Ever hear of a soldier eating filet mignon and sipping fine French wine during his tour of duty in the Vietnam War? How about having dinner with the reigning Miss America and star athletes of the NFL during war? "Napalm and Filet Mignon" consists of the author's contrasting journey from an army combat-infantry soldier on patrols and in firefights in the central highlands of Vietnam, to a waiter for the General's Mess Hall - serving the commanding officers gourmet meals of lobster and filet mignon. Documented by letters written and sent home to his mother and sister from 1969 to 1970, author John Jennings reflects on his time in service and the irony of war.
Excerpt from the book: "How many of us at one time or another have dreamed of time travel? H.G. Wells wrote a famous book, 'The Time Machine', and Hollywood capitalized on a series of popular movies about time travel in Back to the Future. But how many of us can? I can, because I have a 'time machine' of my own in the form of letters that I wrote and sent home from Vietnam to my mother and my sister Ann so long ago. My sister saved all the letters and gave them to me upon my return. Now, some 40 plus years later, I can travel in time to a war and the uncertainty in my life through these letters I wrote in Vietnam. I can revisit my improbable contrasting journey, from a combat-infantry soldier fighting the Viet Cong, to a support soldier, waiting tables and serving the Army Generals. A journey that takes place in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, from living in muddy-foxholes with snakes and insects and eating C-Rations, to working in an air conditioned diner, sipping wine and eating filet mignon."
This book is one of many to come from The War Writers' Campaign - a nonprofit publisher that aims to support veteran and family member programs. 100% of all proceeds, beyond a royalty to the authors, is utilized for transformative transitional programs in areas of mental health and reintegration of our military men and women and their families.
John's book and others published by The Campaign are available for a donation back to the cause online at Amazon.com and through other channels by The War Writers' Campaign, Inc.
About the Author
John Jennings was born and raised in Chicago's Northside near Wrigley Field. He was drafted into the Army at the age of 22 in the fall of 1968, attending basic and advanced infantry training at Ft. Knox and Ft. Polk. Louisiana. John was then shipped to Vietnam, where he was assigned to the Army's 4thDivision, Bravo Company, 1/14 Infantry. Today John is happily married to his wife, Mary and they have 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Media Contact: Ryan Weemer,
Email: ryan@warwriterscampaign.org
Phone: 347-875-0091
Web: WarWritersCampaign.org
Review Copies and Interviews Available
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