Questions About The Full Circle for Mick

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The book portrays high level decision making around Indochina, including arguments about public narratives like the Domino Theory and profit motives like arms sales. Which passages most influenced your view of why the conflict continued, and what made those passages persuasive to you?

Michael Kramer Firstly, there is the fact that most of the Australian infantry soldiers with whom I was operating against the "Enemy" saw through the outright lies a…moreFirstly, there is the fact that most of the Australian infantry soldiers with whom I was operating against the "Enemy" saw through the outright lies and the half-truths that were constantly being used by various allied politicians about the Indochina War. Many said, "There is no way that these people are, or ever will become a threat to Australia or to the USA! Everything that we have been officially told about these people is either an outright lie, or it is a half-truth! The Vietnamese are not the enemies of Australia, no matter what the conservative government of Australia may say about it! The fact remains that Australia should not be involved in this unjust invasion of a soveriegn country that has declared its independence from France in 1945! therefore, we should not be here!" The public narratives such as the Domino Theory are proven lies of the conservative governments of Britain, Australia, France and the USA! These things are all right-wing progaganda without a basis in fact!(less)

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Early on, the narrator tells you they will refer to Michael by his preferred name, Mick. What does that direct address do to your sense of closeness and trust with the narrator and the story?

Michael Kramer I am Mick, my full name is Michael G Kramer, and I use the suffix of OMIEAust. which shows my Australian engineering qualication in order to avoid con…moreI am Mick, my full name is Michael G Kramer, and I use the suffix of OMIEAust. which shows my Australian engineering qualication in order to avoid confusion of readers due to the fact that here is an American author who also has the name of Michael Kramer. As I am both the author and narrator of the book, I am justifed in taking that sort of approach to ensure that readers will not confuse me with other people who may happen to share the name of Michael Kramer.(less)

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In the scene where Mick announces he has become a naturalised Australian citizen and his mother reacts strongly, what ideas about identity, loyalty, and home feel most alive in their exchange?

Michael Kramer I grew up in Australia, and therefore, I am an Australian. that means as far as I am concerned, I shall always apply myself to the defence of Australi…moreI grew up in Australia, and therefore, I am an Australian. that means as far as I am concerned, I shall always apply myself to the defence of Australia, To me it matters not, if the country is right or wrong in whatever it may do, I shall always be ready to do whatever I can to aid my country! As the book clearly shows, I dared to stand by my principles and firm beliefs, so, either rightly or wrongly, I became an Australian and volunteered for the war and if people wish to judge me adversley for doing my duty to Australia, then so be it!(less)

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When Hildegard presses Mick to describe how actions work in Vietnam and reacts with shock, the moment is tied to his remorse and the start of PTSD symptoms. What does this scene suggest about what soldiers can and cannot easily bring home into ordinary conversation?

Michael Kramer I returned from the war in Vietnam in September of 1969, and I was not impressed by the reception received by returning Australian soldiers! Firstly w…moreI returned from the war in Vietnam in September of 1969, and I was not impressed by the reception received by returning Australian soldiers! Firstly we returned by a Qantas Flight and when the plane landed at Singapore, the entire refuelling and reloading of the aircraft was completed in less than one hour, and we resumed our flight to Australia. After landing at Darwin Airport, we were still on the ground four hours later. We were told that it was because all Australian Vietnam Veterans were considered to be an embarassment to the conservative Liberal/Country party coalition government who sent us to Indochina in the first place! When my wife and I tried to get a taxi from Mascot Airport in Sydney in order to travel to Liverpool, the taxi did not arrive for an hour. When it finally appeared, the driver said, "Sorry mate, I thought that someone was pulling my leg because the airport is closed and under curfew! It is just as well that you kept on calling the taxi company every 10 minutes, otherwise I still would not be here! I thought the government should do something better for our returning diggers!" (slang for Aussie soldiers)(less)

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After returning home, Mick and Carolyn run into resistance at the bank even when they talk about their savings and a war service loan, and it becomes a defining friction point. What does this episode reveal about institutions versus individual dignity in the aftermath of war?

Michael Kramer It reveals how banks typically treat people as potential souces of income for the bank concerned without even doing the client the courtesy of asking …moreIt reveals how banks typically treat people as potential souces of income for the bank concerned without even doing the client the courtesy of asking if the bank/finanical instition can help to client obtain his/her goals. In short, banks during the 1960s to 1970s were, and remain profit driven, at the cost of the client concerned!(less)

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