MWSA Book Review

From Nam with Love

Authors: Lloyd A. King

Publisher:  River Road Press

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

Vietnam War Poetry That Captures the Heart and Mind

Emotional and spiritual and hard hitting poetry from the combat experiences of Lloyd King. In his well written book of prose, “From ‘Nam With Love – An Infantry Soldier’s Vietnam” the reader is transformed along with the poet as he lives each day in the Nam. The poems are chronologically composed so that the emotional and spiritual energy grows and changes as the poet’s “tour of duty” proceeds though the year. He labels the poems with dates that they represent; and occasionally ends some with a short footnote as to who was killed or if he was awarded some medal.

I have read thousands of Vietnam War poems over the last decade and there is for the most part a certain sameness to them. However, King takes us on new pathways with his thoughts and observations and covers some themes that I have not read else where. One of my favorite poems in his book illustrates this point clearly by going in a more divine and mystical direction. The poem is called “The Vision” and it deals with a strange event that happens to him on Hill 903.

There is much compassion in King's poems as observed in several of his works of prose, such as the experiencing of his first combat kill. It shows a softer and more human side to this warrior; one that shows he is not some emotionless crazed killing machine as is portrayed in so many books and movies.

Lloyd’s personal thoughts and outlook on life are reflected throughout his book’s prose and also in his wonderful illustrations. This is one of the better books of war poetry written from the Vietnam War. It is this poet's journey of the heart and soul of that war experience and many others will be able to identify with him.

I personally give this book my endorsement and highly recommend it to others.

This book receives the MWSA’s TOP BOOK RATING of FIVE STARS!

MWSA’s 2006 Gold Medal Award for “Best Book of Poetry!”

Reviewer: Rob Ballister – MWSA Review Board

War is hell, but King's poetry about war is beautiful!

I've never been a big fan of poetry, but I'm a huge fan of Lloyd King and his hard-hitting, vivid honesty! Covering topics from his first day in Vietnam to getting shot in the head to coming home, his work is a violent storm of beauty, emotion, fear, humility, and faith, which paint an honest picture of the ugliness of war and the brotherhood of troops in combat. By reading it, I learned a little about poetry, a little more about Vietnam, and a whole bunch about the poet. I absolutely could not put it down, and think that it is a perfect book for either poetry lovers or combat veterans.