To Heal a Nation: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

by Scruggs, Joel Serdlow, Joel Swerdlow

'This moving, inspiring, and beautifully illustated book tells the inside story of the building of the Vietnam Veterans Memoial in our nation's capital. It also includes, in an appendix in the back, the names of the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives in Southeast Asia during the war-the names that are inscribed on the Memorial's granite walls.'

Genres: History

414 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1985

Reviews

[Ann Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional story! So glad the Vietnam Vets have such a moving, inspiring memorial for their brave dedication and to those that lost their lives in the war. Too often, I think we gloss over the hardships of others especially when we don’t actually live it! This war was not fought in the US and that provides a shield for the rest of us to just go on with our lives. This narrative gave me a new perspective on the divisiveness in our country - we never learn from our mistakes!

When I visited the memorial many years ago, it was fascinating to me that it could evoke so many emotions for me and I did not know a single name in the wall! However, knowing the story makes the wall even more poignant. It is a national treasure! The only other monument I saw that day that comes close to the same awe inspiring feeling is the Lincoln Memorial!

[jw468 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book on so many levels. It describes Mr. Scruggs' inspiration and ambition to call for the creation of the memorial. The selection of the design, the conceptual meaning, and the struggle to realize the design are all covered. The public reception of the completed memorial is discussed. This book paints a full picture of the events surrounding the memorial.