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John Podlaski

Goodreads Author


Born
in Munich, Germany
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May 2010

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John Podlaski served in Vietnam during 1970 and 1971 as an infantryman with both the Wolfhounds of the 25th Division, and the 501st Infantry Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. "Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" is his first book, published in 2010, it is faring well with over 300 combined reviews with an average of 4.6 stars. The story is a memoir of his time as as infantry soldier during the Vietnam War.

John spent the years since Vietnam working in various management positions within the automotive industry and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2002. John is a life member of Vietnam Veterans of
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John Podlaski Just tossing out ideas to friends. I wanted to write something about fear and the emotions that come with it. During the Vietnam War, we were still te…moreJust tossing out ideas to friends. I wanted to write something about fear and the emotions that come with it. During the Vietnam War, we were still teenagers and didn't get a chance to do what teenagers do. When getting pulled into the war, fear was paramount and the Army tried to instill a confidence that would make us hold our ground and fight...depend upon our training and automatic responses so there is no time for fear. I decided to go that route and then use comparison to the same kind of events while growing up. It worked out well!(less)
John Podlaski I have to leave and do something else to take my mind completely off of the book I'm writing. i.e. go to a movie, car show, fair, etc. I find that whe…moreI have to leave and do something else to take my mind completely off of the book I'm writing. i.e. go to a movie, car show, fair, etc. I find that when I return later, my mind is more refreshed and chances are good that something invaded while gone.(less)
Average rating: 4.3 · 1,606 ratings · 136 reviews · 52 distinct works • Similar authors
Cherries

4.39 avg rating — 694 ratings — published 2010 — 13 editions
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Death in the Triangle: A Vi...

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4.27 avg rating — 586 ratings — published 2021 — 3 editions
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When Can I Stop Running?

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4.03 avg rating — 175 ratings — 8 editions
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Unwelcomed: A Short Story

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4.41 avg rating — 54 ratings — published 2020 — 2 editions
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Surviving the Night: A Viet...

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4.15 avg rating — 40 ratings
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Unhinged: A Micro-Read

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4.43 avg rating — 28 ratings — 2 editions
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2-27-70: A Short Story

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4.29 avg rating — 21 ratings — 2 editions
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Running in the Dark

4.50 avg rating — 8 ratings — 3 editions
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Running in the Dark

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
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Surviving the Night: A Viet...

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More books by John Podlaski…

How did the Viet Cong avoid stepping on their own traps and mines in the thick jungle during the Vietnam War?

By Ahmed Tareen

People continue to wonder how the Viet Cong never fell into their own traps, as if they were just strolling in the jungle and getting lucky. That’s not what was happening. They weren’t guessing. They were reading.

The jungle was not chance to them. It was a language. A code. A map inscribed in broken branches, in twisted vines, in turned stones–stuff that told nothing to the uninitia

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Published on October 18, 2026 14:35
When Can I Stop Running? Death in the Triangle: A Vi...
(2 books)
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4.21 avg rating — 761 ratings

The Pharaoh's Stone
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London
John Podlaski is currently reading
by Frank Tayell (Goodreads Author)
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Legacy of the Lost
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by Lindsey Sparks (Goodreads Author)
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John Podlaski wrote a new blog post

How did the Viet Cong avoid stepping on their own traps and mines in the thick jungle during the Vietnam War?

By Ahmed TareenPeople continue to wonder how the Viet Cong never fell into their own traps, as if they were just strolling in the jungle and getting l Read more of this blog post »
John Podlaski rated a book it was amazing
The Last Mission of the Seventh Cavalry by Charley Brindley
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Heartfelt story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to book two. I hope they return home and look forward to the potentially changed future.
2-27-70 by John Podlaski
"Coming of Age…The Induction

I thoroughly enjoyed this brief read about coming of age in the America where people loved their culture but loved their country first and foremost. I experienced many of the things Mr. Podlaski experienced in his family. " Read more of this review »
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Deadbreak by Jorge  Sánchez
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Deadlock by Jorge  Sánchez
Deadlock (Deadbreak #2)
by Jorge Sánchez (Goodreads Author)
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Ended Earth by Kellee L. Greene
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Em Primus by Karl Morgan
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Em Primus is the AI master brain that directs all life on the galaxy's planets. The robots have decided humans are no longer needed, and they hatch a plan to dispose of them all. Thus leaving the AI to self-rule.

Prefect Kai Wen captains one of the sh
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The Pharaoh's Secret by Clive Cussler
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As with all of Clive Cussler's books, I enjoyed reading THE PHARAOH'S SECRET. Kurt Austin and Joe Zavela take on another mystery dating back to the days of Napoleon and the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. A corrupt group learned about a poisonous gas from ...more
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Arcadian Alcove by Karen  Black
Arcadian Alcove
by Karen Black (Goodreads Author)
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Lia grew up in Arcadian Alcove and loved listening to her great-aunt's stories about elves and other mystical beings who lived on the property. She wished they were true, but believed they were borne of her aunt's imagination. When her aunt passed, L ...more
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A Bad Attitude by Dennis Mansker
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading A BAD ATTITUDE: A NOVEL OF THE VIETNAM WAR by Dennis Mansker. The author has a remarkable sense of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud many times while reading this story. His thoughts and rebuttal to comments dir ...more
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Quotes by John Podlaski  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“There's many a boy here today that looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.

General William T. Sherman, Address, 1880”
― John Podlaski

“It don't mean nuthin!

Phrase used by soldiers during the Vietnam War.”
― John Podlaski

Topics Mentioning This Author

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Goodreads Authors...: * Post/View a Book Video/Trailer 2237 4293 Oct 02, 2026 07:34AM  
“There's many a boy here today that looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.

General William T. Sherman, Address, 1880”
― John Podlaski

“It don't mean nuthin!

Phrase used by soldiers during the Vietnam War.”
― John Podlaski

26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 57909 members — last activity 2 hours, 10 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
5366 Vietnam in Literature, History & Film. — 185 members — last activity Aug 19, 2026 04:24PM
To discuss the Vietnam War in literature, history, and film. To discuss favorite books and great new finds and the wars cultural legacy.
224746 Ndeye Labadens Book Club — 1030 members — last activity Feb 06, 2023 04:48AM
Welcome Folks! Ndeye Labadens group is dedicated to free promotion, interviews and also discounted book promo! Add this page to opportunities availa ...more
103385 Military Authors and Readers — 152 members — last activity Aug 07, 2026 11:31AM
A group where authors of military books can come together to discusses books, a place where readers can learn more about military authors
99986 Modern Good Reads — 6842 members — last activity Oct 17, 2026 04:54PM
Modern Good Reads connects readers with books, authors, & challenges. We want to chat, inform, & provide events & discussions, a home for readers and ...more
7852 Author Promotions for Readers from Writers — 599 members — last activity Oct 17, 2026 05:19PM
Indie discount codes for Goodreads members. Authors and publishers feel free to post codes to increase sales and reviews of your books. Book readers, ...more
52077 Suffolk Veterans Sales — 25 members — last activity Aug 31, 2013 08:07PM
Helping disabled veterans by selling and buying American flags made by disabled veterans and by soliciting donations for food,clothing,transporations ...more
72325 Christian Books — 1477 members — last activity Sep 20, 2026 04:40PM
This is a place where we discuss and share Christian books online. This group is hosted by Body and Soul Publishing but Christian authors and readers ...more
76966 Combat Medic — 13 members — last activity May 03, 2013 01:48PM
The combat medic or the corpman are the warrior healers who take care of wounded on the field of battle. This group was created to discuss the differe ...more
87186 Ready to Read — 242 members — last activity Jun 17, 2017 10:27AM
A group to promote newly released books that are Ready to Read.
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message 2: by John

John Podlaski Dear Friends,

This week only: My MP3 audiobook, "Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" is on sale @audible_com for just $5.95 (even less than my ebook)! Regular selling price is $21.95...even if you've already read this great story, this narrator brings it to life. Take advantage of this special deal - sale ends September 2nd:
http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B0089F...


message 1: by John

John Podlaski Can anybody tell me how to post pictures or videos?


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