No comments about Chicanas in Charge: Texas Women in the Public Arena.

5 comments about An Accidental Soldier: Memoirs of a Mestizo in Vietnam.

1. I can honestly say that I rarely read any books. Being made aware of it through my 2nd Platoon Buddies from "B" Co. 2/502 Inf, 101st ABN. Div., it immediately got my undivided attention , because it was listed as "non-fiction". -- THAT WAS LIE #1. This book is just packed with 1/2 truths, innuendos, lies, & egotistical exaggerations, that IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY A person we would always refer to as a "R.E.M.F."
   These characters usually secured a job in the rear area, listening to(& collecting) stories from THE REAL GRUNTS IN THE BOONIES, inserting themselves into stories years later, as if no one would ever be living to notice the LIES.
   Well, mr."Rambo wanabe" manny garcia, MANY OF US ARE STILL ALIVE & here to tell those who read your phony stories, in a book they THOUGHT was "NON-FICTION" , "THEY WERE DUPED" !
   One TRUTH , in your book, however, did point out that MANY , MANY, times we were far from up to full manpower strength. We DID HAVE TO combine platoons to get (close to) full manpower. In fact, on one occassion, one trooper you refer to as "Jay" Wunder( real name, Ray Wunder),from the 3rd Plt. was with our 2nd Platoon, when "The gooks in the wells" incident occured & Jimmy D. Hale (2nd Plt.) & 3rd Plt. Ray Wunder's name & the story was documented in our own "Screaming Eagle" Magazine. Many of us have this copy, & believe it or not mr. garcia, I have almost every ORIGINAL copy of every (S.E. Mag.)issue for the entire time The 101st ABN.Div. was in V.N.--- Thanks to a considerate, "REAL" 101st WW II HERO , Fred Patheiger, (now dec'd.). Well, isn't it amazing, with all of your "single-handed" attacks & heroic actions, -- I couldn't find your name written about -- EVEN ONCE!!
   I only wish there were some legal action we ( REAL "B" Co. 2/502 V.N.Vets from 67'-68') could take against you calling this book "non-fiction",but you, "stating that" you are a lawyer, I'm sure you've done some of your "SLEAZY LAWYER CHECKING"& have that "covered".
   We, from the 2nd Platoon, will be passing your book of trash, to each other, so don't expect very much $$$ from us !
   Hoping to meet you someday, mr. garcia,
   ( ALONG WITH THOSE REAL HROES FROM "YOUR" 3rd Plt.)
   
   Paul "JOE" Penkala
   [...]



2. As the 1st Lieutenant who led Mr. Garcia's supposed platoon, 1967-68, I would like to point out that none of the incidents he describes, coincide with the experience of any other members of the platoon, or after-action reports of operations. In fact, no one, including myself, can remember having served on the line with him, and we were a close-knit group. It is a work of fiction, not the facts, and should be seen as such. For those unsung heroes of the 3rd platoon of B company, who really did bear the burden of some of the bloodiest battles of that war, it is shameful that this man is attempting to profit from his fictitous heroism. As has been documented in Stolen Valor, all men who served, wished to be seen as heroic and brave, and many who were not, later, falsely claimed to have to have been Audie Murphy. I think this phoney hero owes the "real" members of the 3rd platoon, an apology and should pull his book from the shelves. Hopefully Amazon will do it for him for perpetuating his false "non-fiction" DAVID BELDING, CAPTAIN,US ARMY RETIRED



3. Regardless of it's literature categorization, this is a heartfelt, wonderfully written book, and it does it's purpose: it makes the reader consider war from all perspectives, and has you question the bases of ethnic conflict. Job well done.
   Shut the hell up; we can honor the army and simultaneously criticize the institution of war. I feel like we should write a book review NOT ONLY about the author's integrity, but about the craftmanship behind the writing.
   And again, job well done, Manny Garcia.



4. I use this book in a university-level class and have Manny visit the class where the students have the opportunity to cross-examine him on the book and race relations in general. The students generally find the book useful, some saying it is the best book they have read. It is a hard read. Is it truthful? What actually did happen in Viet Nam during those absolutely horrible and useless times with so many lives on all sides thrown away? The Swift Boat fraggers made it clear that any criticism of the US forces in Viet Nam was unacceptable and as with many conservatives, any lie will suffice to stifle criticims of the military and their overbloated worship, What DID happen in Viet Nam? Memories are funny things. Many veterans have nightmares of their experiences in Viet Nam. Are these real memories? Maybe so and maybe not. Did they happen? Did they happen to Manny? I think they did happen and probably to Manny, or near him and they live in his memory like monsters. War is a terrible waste, but so many love it, so many worship it. So many equate military duty with patriotism. Any country that equates military service with patriotism is a danger to the whole world. Our arrogance keeps costing us our money, our lives, our reputation. If there is no other message in Manny's book, that is it. The US has taught the world so many lessons and has forgotten them all.



5. I was in 3rd Plt 2/502 101st Abn from Nov. 1967 until April 1968 and was wounded along with Danial Boaz, Mike Hibner and others at Bastogne as stated in this book. The details however are not accurate. Boaz did not leave in a body bag, he was medivaced to a hospital ship and died a few days later. I did have a sucking chest wound but I never even knew it until I was in the APC and the wounded medic told me, I never knew manny garcia and he never bandaged my wound. I did know, and proudly served with others mentioned in this book. Guys like Boaz, Wunder, Irwin, Moody, Hall, Davis, Sgt Barnhill, and SFC Wilson he called him williams. He left out others like Hibner, Jackson, Davis, Hall, Sealey and MILTON LEE our Medal of Honor awardee. How could Milton Lee not be in any book about our Company or Platoon? He was killed in Ashaw valley in May of 68 singlehandedly taking out several machinegun nest saving what was left of our pinned down company. Surprised manny garcia didn't take credit for that too. There were many others I proudly seved with whose names escape me but manny garcia was NOT one of them. My guess is this guy was a REMP in our unit because he knew enough partial details to be getting info from someone who was actually there or he read some fairly detailed reports. The book is basically total crap and absolutly fiction. His book insults the men and memories of all who served. SHAME on you garcia and shame on the publisher who printed this FICTION!!

5 comments about Father Greg and the Homeboys: The Extraordinary Journey of Father Boyle and His Work with the Latino Gangs of East L.A..

1. I teach criminal justice courses at Dodge City Community College. One of the topics most students are interested in is hispanic gangs. I found this book to be excellent, and a number of students have also said positive things about the book. It gives the reader a realistic view of gang life in LA, and Father Greg's work is very encouraging. I tell my students that 1 person can make a difference in life, but most don't believe me. The book not only depited gang members and their lives, it also demonstrated some programs that were effective. I highly recommend the book!



2. FIRST OFF I WANT TO THANK FATHER GREG FOR CHANGING ALOT OF PEOPLES POINT OF VIEW ON GANSTERS ALOT OF PEOPLE JUDGE THE BOOK BY THERE COVER WELL FATHER GREG SPOKE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PROJECTS IN EAST LOS I SHOULD KNOW I LIVED THERE AND I KNOW HIM AND ALOT OF THE GANG MEMBERS THAT FATHER GREG TALKED ABOUT HS BOOK. FATHER GREG TALKS ABOUT HOW HE EARNED HIS RESPECT FROM US GANG MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY NOT ONLY DOES HE INSPIRE PEOPLE WITH HIS BOOK BUT ALSO HE GETS RESPECT FOR NOT GIVING UP ON US HELPING US IN EVERYWAY POSSIBLE AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ALOT MORE OF EAST LOS IN THE CITY OF ANGELS..



3. Fremon's account of Father Greg's early 1990's work in Boyle Heights, CA. is as moving and powerful a work as one is likely to read. The fact that this book is out of print (currently) is a crime!



4. Father Greg Boyle has done miracles that not everyone can do in working with youth at-risk, especially Latino gang members of East Los Angeles (the "mother-island" of gangs). It ONLY takes a special and unique person to attract and aquire respect from the so-called "lost human-beings" that are involved in gangs. Not all adults see these latino youth as "human beings" whatsoever. Father Greg deserves MORE recognition for what he has done in the Pico/Aliso neighborhoods. Highly recommend this book. May GOD bless "G."



5. This was a deeply inspiring book, about how one person really can make a difference in the world. Father Greg Boyle found his calling inside the gang worlds of East Los Angeles. If a young member of a gang finds a job, Boyle makes sure the kid has the right clothes to wear. If he needs a ride to the safest bus stop outside of enemy gang territory, he gives the kid a ride in his car.
   
   I live in Los Angeles, and reading this book gave me hope, left me feeling far more positive about LA. There are individuals who are doing incredible things, selfless acts, and I found the book to be inspiring. My only concern is that the author really went too far in her reporting and investigating, placing her own life and her five-year-old son's life in danger.

No comments about Juan Bautista De Anza (Latinos in American History).

No comments about Pablo Casals: Cellist for the World (Hispanic Biographies).

1 comments about Hispanic Scientists (Capstone Short Biographies).

1. In "Hispanic Scientists," Jetty St. John has written short biographies of 5 fascinating individuals: biomedical engineer Carlos A. Ramirez, astronaut and optics expert Ellen Ochoa, zoopharmacognosy pioneer Eloy Rodriguez, neurology researcher Lydia Villa-Komaroff, and botanist Maria Elena Zavala.

   St. John offers insights into both the lives and work of these scientists. The book contains many photographs, as well as a useful glossary and other resources.

   If your child seems to be fascinated by dirt, bugs, cloud formations, body secretions, or other natural phenomena, she just might be exhibiting the beginnings of scientific curiosity. And "Hispanic Scientists" may inspire her, regardless of her own ethnic background, to take that curiosity to some amazing places.

No comments about Rita Moreno (Hispanics of Achievement Series).

No comments about Images and Conversations: Mexican Americans Recall a Southwestern Past.

1 comments about Cesar Chavez (Hispanic Heritage).

1. This little paperback (31 pages) was published in 1993, just before Chavez passed away at the age of 66. It is probably considered out of date.
   
   But it has some great photographs of Chavez all through his life. It has a short, concise biography.
   
   What did I learn? Chavez's grandfather immigrated from Mexico and fathered 14 children. Cesar's father was the last one to leave the family home and married rather late, at the age of 38.
   
   Cesar did not like school, nor did he like the English language.
   
   He fasted three times for over three weeks each. This must have been tough and may have indelibly harmed his health.
   
   So, this book of course was published before Chavez's birthday became a state holiday in California. And we hardly hear anything anymore about the United Farm Workers. That's an area for some young person to follow up. Diximus.

1 comments about The Latin Deli: Prose and Poetry.

1. This tasty book is full of the smells, textures, colors and lives of the Barrio. Lively, inspiring, heartfelt and sometimes heartbreaking, Ortiz fills this book with individuals whose lives are both representative of immigrated people and yet strikingly the stories of every woman and man. Mostly comprised of short-shorts the occasional poem is also brought in. Not all of the characters are named, and there is a sense that the reader is sometimes getting both the history and the future of the same characters. Marvelously woven, this book is a tapestry of personalities, lives, tastes and aromas. Check this book out for something unique! May I also recommend that a cup of Cuban coffee goes wonderfully!