A Long Way Back

by J. Everett Prewitt

When a reporter for the Washington Post sees a group of wounded, half-starved, black troops disembark from a helicopter in Cu Chi during the height of the Vietnam War, he senses a story, but receives no cooperation from the army or the soldiers.

The men, mostly noncombat soldiers, are the remnant of a squad sent on an illegal mission to Cambodia as punishment for their participation in a race riot at Cu Chi base camp. Led by a battle-fatigued sergeant, they fall under enemy fire. Their leader inexplicably disappears, leaving the ill-prepared soldiers to fight the jungle and enemy on their own.

Although forced to confront the shock of combat and a deteriorating family life, the reporter pursues the story hoping to uncover the truth about what happened to those soldiers in the jungle.

An intriguing glimpse into the Vietnam War, A Long Way Back is a tense journey merging the lives of the soldiers and the reporter as they struggle to overcome their fear and face the battles they must fight to survive.

396 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2015

About the author

I graduated from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and earned a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. I am a Vietnam Veteran and former army officer.

Something About Ann, my latest novel, is a historical fiction novella with eleven short stories that follows a group of soldiers who faced traumatic experiences in Vietnam but remained close after returning to the States. Violence and turmoil continue to haunt the soldiers as they try to normalize their lives.

A Long Way Back tells the story of black soldiers thought to be killed in action who mysteriously reappear in Cu Chi, Vietnam. A curious war correspondent uncovers an illegal army mission gone awry.

So far, A Long Way Back has won the Independent Publisher’s of New England first place award, the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, was a finalist for the Montaigne Medal Award and was a DQ winner in the IBPA Ben Franklin Award contest.
My novel received the Bronze Award from the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards, the Silver Award from Literary Classics and the Silver Award from the Military Writers Society of America.

I am also the author of the award winning Snake Walkers. My debut novel placed first for fiction in four different literary contests, won the bronze award for general fiction in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year competition, and was also honored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

My literary inspiration comes from writers like Cheikh Anta Diop, Malidoma Somé, and Maryse Conde. I also like the futuristic novels of Octavia Butler and Tananarive Due. I grew up reading Robert Ludlum, John Le Carré, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes.

I enjoy reading, tennis, billiards, working out, traveling, cooking, and drinking a good wine. I am the father of Lia Martin of Los Angeles and Eric Prewitt of Las Vegas.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Way Back by J. Everett Prewitt is a gripping story that will leave you breathless.

This book is one of the novels that have been sitting on my to-read shelf behind other books and I didn't see. I would have read it ages ago, but my silly placement pattern didn't work as well. Normally I put books I have read already to the back of my deep bookshelves, but somehow this book snuck into that pile. Since I found it, I decided I might as well spend my time reading it and leaving a gracious review to this author on Goodreads. They deserve it! I was the silly one who "lost" the book after they sent me a copy!

When you pick up this book, you'll be amazed at the topics it can tackle. Military, secrets, drama, PTSD, and soldiers are all stuffed into this literary package.

J. Everett Prewitt clearly has a passion for this topic. His words flow smoothly and the story seems effortless. The points of view switch throughout the book which make it even more impactful (is that even a word?!) and meaningful.

This is a fresh take on history, and I was honestly surprised how much I like this book. I hated history in high school and while I love reading it I only want it in short bits and pieces. This novel is quite long (about 300 pages, which is a lot for me when reading history) and does a miraculous job of keeping me interested.

You might call this book a "horror" in some aspects - due to it being war and brutal, but I wouldn't say this is Stephen King horror. It's more of a war novel with realistic horrors within it.

The characters seem real, and their development is stunning. It's not a super fast paced story, but it moves at just the right speed and introduces development and plot twists at just the right time to keep the reader going. I get bored INCREDIBLY easily and I didn't want to put this book down.

Downfalls? Some of the chapters aren't as exciting as others, or don't seem to be written "as well", and they hinder the story a bit. They keep the plot going, but it's just not as good as the rest of the story.

Overall, this powerful novel is amazing! I would love to see this pop up in my local bookstores or libraries so it has more circulation. I could even see this book being a "work study" for English or History classes, that is how well-written and vivid this novel is. It makes you feel like you're in the novel! 100% recommendation from this reviewer right here!

Four out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A LONG WAY BACK

J. Everett Prewitt
Northland Research Corp. (2015)
ISBN 9780976192756
Reviewed by Ben Green for Reader Views (01/16)

“A Long Way Back” by J. Everett Prewitt is an excellent read that follows a post reporter who is sent to Vietnam to report on the war effort. What he uncovers is the disgusting truth about race in the military and a cover-up designed to protect those in power, while ensuring those who were betrayed are never allowed to have a voice. The story is gripping and it is hard to imagine a time when soldiers would be willing to betray their own. “A Long Way Back” simultaneously covers the issue of race, while also subtly taking a look at combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. The book’s ability to fairly, and accurately tackle both issues is impressive. J. Everett Prewitt is an excellent writer and his writing style is realistic, intense, and seems to accurately capture the time period and military life. Prewitt writes from both the perspective of the post reporter investigating the case of missing black soldiers in Vietnam, and the perspectives of the missing soldiers. Having both perspectives keeps the story fresh and allows the author to cover multiple points of view. Prewitt does an excellent job creating memorable and believable characters the reader cares about.

This book does everything well including pacing, character development, and the storyline itself. It is clear that Prewitt is a good author who is well within his wheelhouse on this one. The only issue I have with the story is that in the second half of the book some of the chapters are told from the perspective of one of the Viet Cong leaders as she stalks the missing soldiers across the jungle. These chapters are short and feel forced, like commercial breaks from the story. I personally feel that they were unnecessary and detracted from the actual story. Given how late in the story these chapters appear and my attachment to the other characters, I just could not find myself caring about the enemy’s perspective and so I hurried through these chapters to get back to the actual story.

Aside from those few chapters on the Viet Cong’s perspective, the book never misses a beat, and the attention to detail within the story is impressive. I have no idea if the story is actually based on true events but it is written well enough that I would not be surprised if that were the case. Prewitt has created a powerfully moving novel with “A Long Way Back.” It is not a story for the faint of heart, or those looking for an uplifting read, but for those who are interested in a realistic take on race, Vietnam, and post-traumatic stress; “A Long Way Back” by J. Everett Prewitt delivers a read that will not soon be forgotten. I give it a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars.

[Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Way Back is the gripping tale of a group of Black American soldiers and one young man determined to bring their story to light. When Anthony, a Washington Post news reporter sent to cover the war in Vietnam, witnesses the return of seven soldiers from a mission he senses a story. The soldiers, bedraggled and severely shell-shocked, are met with stunned silence. It seems the other men at base camp seem shocked to learn the men made it back alive. Anthony feels certain this is a story the Post would want him to cover, but he is refused the opportunity to speak to anyone. He hears hushed rumors of the men having been sent on an illegal mission to Cambodia; but under threat of court-martial, no one will divulge any information about the mission, or the fate of the others who never returned.

Author, J. Everett Prewitt’s vivid depiction of the horrors of war are compounded when intertwined with the racial injustices perpetrated upon the men whose story Anthony hopes to reveal. A Long Way Back is a powerful and compelling novel. Recommended for home and school libraries, this book has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Way Back follows a journalist, Anthony Andrews on his quest for more information regarding the return of a group of seven men from combat in Vietnam. During his investigation, racism, corruption and ulterior motives are all unearthed after an altercation sends these carefully selected men on a dangerous mission. This novel was unlike any other piece of work I’ve read before. The author’s ability to transport the reader into the jungles of Vietnam and the heart of combat is superb and painstakingly beautiful. War veterans and civilians alike would appreciate the raw honesty and themes explored in this novel. I recommend this book to readers everywhere.

Dessica Willis
AAMBC Reviewer

[Connie Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Way Back tells the story of a group of Black soldiers in Vietnam during the war and a Black reporter who writes their story. Riveting action and horrific details make the book realistic and bring the reader into the lives of these men. This book portrays a little known period of racial tension and segregation. This book has adult situations including sex scenes and should be read by mature teens and adults. It would be an excellent teaching tool. C.M. Huddleston, award-winning author.

[Kathy]

Since I was a college student during the Vietnam War, I found the book very A Long Way Back very interesting and true to life. Just like the characters in the book many men returning did not want to discuss their experiences as they were very traumatic.
The book came at the subject from a new slant however by viewing the plight of black soldiers.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads
I enjoyed it. The book was well written and riveting. If you like history, interesting people and a moving story this book is for you.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong story. Important message.

[wesley a huibregtse · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing story

The combination of the Vietnam war and one group of soldiers being so damaged by an intentional act was a horrifying thing to contemplate. However, the characters of Sarge and Anthony demonstrated the good that can arise even in the face of evil. I loved the book, well written!

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

When Anthony Andrews arrived in Vietnam, in June, 1969, he was expecting to accomplish exactly what he had been sent to do by his editor at the Washington Post. As a black reporter embedded with American troops, he was to send home positive stories about the experiences of young black soldiers. But Southeast Asia was about to change his life forever with two unusual events.

When a Chinook helicopter delivered seven soldiers to his base, Anthony was only a casual observer, but what he saw suggested a story that needed to be told. The new arrivals were filthy, their uniforms tattered, their eyes haunted, their bodies showing signs of severe malnutrition. Two were wounded, and—strangest of all-- all of them were black. Anthony watched as they were hustled away with no chance for questions or greetings or interviews. His attempts to learn more about the men and their mission failed to get any information—not even their names.

Shortly thereafter, the commander of the unit to which he had been assigned sent him out to accompany a reconnaissance mission. Without warning, their foray turned into a gun battle. The leader of the squadron failed to appear, enemy troops ambushed the Americans, and Anthony’s escort was killed. Facing North Vietnamese soldiers sneaking up from the rear, Anthony grabbed his unfamiliar gun and killed several of them, thus alerting his squad in time to avoid danger.

Those two events defined the rest of Anthony’ stay in Vietnam. His abrupt introduction to the horrors of jungle warfare left him suffering from what we recognize today as PTSD. He compared the disorder to carrying a snake in one’s pocket. As he tried to deal with his own trauma, his efforts to learn the story behind the seven black soldiers became more and more frustrating. No one would talk about the incident, and the seven men simply disappeared.

Anthony returned home at the end of his tour, still suffering the effects of PTSD and still unable to forget about what he had seen. He watched helplessly as his career, his marriage, and his health collapsed.

In Part II, readers learn the horrific details behind the event Anthony had witnessed. The story of the seven black soldiers is told in gut-wrenching detail, both from the black soldiers’ own point of view and from that of the female Viet Cong guerrilla who pursued them. The descriptions are not for the faint-of heart nor for those unprepared to deal with the effects of unchecked racism and human cruelty.

In Part III, the stories come together, as Anthony manages to work through his personal traumatic experience by finding his seven black soldiers, each of whom shows up carrying his own private “snake.” This is not a pretty story, and despite a somewhat happy conclusion, not everyone will enjoy reading about this particularly dark period in America’s history.

Review by Carolyn Schriber, MWSA Reviewer