Gershom - by Stephen Dvorkin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

America is embroiled in a war in Viet Nam. Daniel Gershom and four other members of his New York City Army Reserve unit are sent to a post in western Louisiana for Basic Combat Training. Passing through the gates of Fort Polk the young men enter into an exotic world in which the cadre speaks its own language and follows its own ways.

As the narrative of Gershom suggests, each sojourn through the Army's world is unique and different; and yet they are, at the same time, somehow all the same.

So it was, Gershom suggests, for the men who made the sojourn before Danny and his buddies; and so it will be, the tale implies, for all of those who will follow behind.

Review Quotes

"This is a great story! It is funny, moving, sad, insightful, and has superb characters-characters whom we care about."

Howard Bahr, author of The Black Flower and The Year of Jubilo

(both New York Times "Notable Books")

"Really captures Basic Training!"

Specialist 4 Joe Garni, Military Assistance Compound, Tay Ninh (1969-70)