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Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • The national bestseller that tells the truth about the Vietnam War from the black soldiers’ perspective.
An oral history unlike any other, Bloods features twenty black men who tell the story of how members of their race were sent off to Vietnam in disproportionate numbers, and of the special test of patriotism they faced. Told in voices no reader will soon forget, Bloods is a must-read for anyone who wants to put the Vietnam experience in historical, cultural, and political perspective.
Praise for Bloods
“Superb . . . a portrait not just of warfare and warriors but of beleaguered patriotism and pride. The violence recalled in Bloods is chilling. . . . On most of its pages hope prevails. Some of these men have witnessed the very worst that people can inflict on one another. . . . Their experience finally transcends race; their dramatic monologues bear witness to humanity.” —Time
“[Wallace] Terry’s oral history captures the very essence of war, at both its best and worst. . . . [He] has done a great service for all Americans with Bloods . Future historians will find his case studies extremely useful, and they will be hard pressed to ignore the role of blacks, as too often has been the case in past wars.” — The Washington Post Book World
“Terry set out to write an oral history of American blacks who fought for their country in Vietnam, but he did better than that. He wrote a compelling portrait of Americans in combat, and used his words so that the reader—black or white—knows the soldiers as men and Americans, their race overshadowed by the larger humanity Terry conveys. . . . This is not light reading, but it is literature with the ring of truth that shows the reader worlds through the eyes of others. You can’t ask much more from a book than that.” —Associated Press
“ Bloods is a major contribution to the literature of this war. For the first time a book has detailed the inequities blacks faced at home and on the battlefield. Their war stories involve not only Vietnam, but Harlem, Watts, Washington D.C. and small-town America.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I wish Bloods were longer, and I hope it makes the start of a comprehensive oral and analytic history of blacks in Vietnam. . . . They see their experiences as Americans, and as blacks who live in, but are sometimes at odds with, America. The results are sometimes stirring, sometimes appalling, but this three-tiered perspective heightens and shadows every tale.” — The Village Voice
“Terry was in Vietnam from 1967 through 1969. . . . In this book he has backtracked, Studs Terkel–like, and found twenty black veterans of the Vietnam War and let them spill their guts. And they do; oh, how they do. The language is raw, naked, a brick through a window on a still night. At the height of tension a sweet story, a soft story, drops into view. The veterans talk about fighting two wars: Vietnam and racism. They talk about fighting alongside the Ku Klux Klan.” — The Boston Globe
An oral history unlike any other, Bloods features twenty black men who tell the story of how members of their race were sent off to Vietnam in disproportionate numbers, and of the special test of patriotism they faced. Told in voices no reader will soon forget, Bloods is a must-read for anyone who wants to put the Vietnam experience in historical, cultural, and political perspective.
Praise for Bloods
“Superb . . . a portrait not just of warfare and warriors but of beleaguered patriotism and pride. The violence recalled in Bloods is chilling. . . . On most of its pages hope prevails. Some of these men have witnessed the very worst that people can inflict on one another. . . . Their experience finally transcends race; their dramatic monologues bear witness to humanity.” —Time
“[Wallace] Terry’s oral history captures the very essence of war, at both its best and worst. . . . [He] has done a great service for all Americans with Bloods . Future historians will find his case studies extremely useful, and they will be hard pressed to ignore the role of blacks, as too often has been the case in past wars.” — The Washington Post Book World
“Terry set out to write an oral history of American blacks who fought for their country in Vietnam, but he did better than that. He wrote a compelling portrait of Americans in combat, and used his words so that the reader—black or white—knows the soldiers as men and Americans, their race overshadowed by the larger humanity Terry conveys. . . . This is not light reading, but it is literature with the ring of truth that shows the reader worlds through the eyes of others. You can’t ask much more from a book than that.” —Associated Press
“ Bloods is a major contribution to the literature of this war. For the first time a book has detailed the inequities blacks faced at home and on the battlefield. Their war stories involve not only Vietnam, but Harlem, Watts, Washington D.C. and small-town America.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I wish Bloods were longer, and I hope it makes the start of a comprehensive oral and analytic history of blacks in Vietnam. . . . They see their experiences as Americans, and as blacks who live in, but are sometimes at odds with, America. The results are sometimes stirring, sometimes appalling, but this three-tiered perspective heightens and shadows every tale.” — The Village Voice
“Terry was in Vietnam from 1967 through 1969. . . . In this book he has backtracked, Studs Terkel–like, and found twenty black veterans of the Vietnam War and let them spill their guts. And they do; oh, how they do. The language is raw, naked, a brick through a window on a still night. At the height of tension a sweet story, a soft story, drops into view. The veterans talk about fighting two wars: Vietnam and racism. They talk about fighting alongside the Ku Klux Klan.” — The Boston Globe
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 28, 2018
An excellent, excellent read in which journalist and veterans advocate Wallace Terry collects the oral histories of 20 black men who served in Vietnam. In doing so, he captures the voices and vital stories of an often overlooked group of soldiers who, despite sharing similar experiences of racial discrimination, represent a rich variety of geographic backgrounds, military experiences, and attitudes toward the war. The men profiled here recount often brutal truths—including some of the most unfiltered and unsettling descriptions of bodily trauma I’ve encountered in literature—and many of their accounts are not particularly happy ones (for several, returning to America after the war presented a whole new set of struggles). But scattered throughout are moments of triumph that upend expectations and insights that get at the heart of what these men have seen and experienced and endured. This book is the real deal and a must read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War.
April 5, 2012
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History by Wallace Terry is one of the most powerful and moving books from the point of view of the soldiers who fought the battles day in and day out. Terry is the renowned authority on the African American soldier and experience in Vietnam. He was on the ground with the troops, interviewing them, creating the only documentary from the battlefield entitled Guess Who’s Coming Home: Black Fighting Men Recorded Live in Vietnam, released in 1972.
The African American men in Bloods tell their story in their own words, the way they experienced it. Their dialects show through the written speech. Each chapter is more moving and emotional than the next, dragging the reader down into the depths of war, creating an emotional investment in each person mentioned. But the stories are not only about the battle on the front lines but the battle inside themselves, behind the lines, and back at home. Each soldier discusses their views on the Civil Rights movement that is happening while they were away and its impact on them while they are at war. The emotions are still heavy as they tell stories of black, white, Hispanic, Asian, an American soldier is a brother. Others run into different scenarios of racism behind the line and sometimes their abilities to overcome it.
Even though Bloods was originally published in 1984, many words of the men who told their stories can still ring true today. Armchair historians, military fans, young adults, and anyone interested in a true horror story should read this oral history, but a minor amount of previous knowledge of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement is recommended for true comprehension. These men should be honored for being willing to share with the world their experiences in such a sensitive and life-changing time period. No doubt the rapport and trust built between the men and Terry while they were in the battlefield contributed greatly to their willingness to be interviewed after their return stateside. It is through that bond of trust that the public is graced with a rich primary resource such as Bloods.
For more information, please visit Wallace Terry’s website
To purchase Bloods, please click here.
The African American men in Bloods tell their story in their own words, the way they experienced it. Their dialects show through the written speech. Each chapter is more moving and emotional than the next, dragging the reader down into the depths of war, creating an emotional investment in each person mentioned. But the stories are not only about the battle on the front lines but the battle inside themselves, behind the lines, and back at home. Each soldier discusses their views on the Civil Rights movement that is happening while they were away and its impact on them while they are at war. The emotions are still heavy as they tell stories of black, white, Hispanic, Asian, an American soldier is a brother. Others run into different scenarios of racism behind the line and sometimes their abilities to overcome it.
Even though Bloods was originally published in 1984, many words of the men who told their stories can still ring true today. Armchair historians, military fans, young adults, and anyone interested in a true horror story should read this oral history, but a minor amount of previous knowledge of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement is recommended for true comprehension. These men should be honored for being willing to share with the world their experiences in such a sensitive and life-changing time period. No doubt the rapport and trust built between the men and Terry while they were in the battlefield contributed greatly to their willingness to be interviewed after their return stateside. It is through that bond of trust that the public is graced with a rich primary resource such as Bloods.
For more information, please visit Wallace Terry’s website
To purchase Bloods, please click here.
February 4, 2009
Wallace Terry was a well-known, African-American journalist who interviewed and compiled the accounts of several African-American soldiers in the Vietnam war. These men tell it like it was on a number of topics, but most striking are the stories of how they were treated on arriving home after the war, in the midst of a strong anti-war climate, and the fact that several of them really were down on the powers that be for ending the war and handing Vietnam to the people they'd been fighting against for years. As one person noted (169): "Why wait ten years and thousands upon thousands of lives later to just turn it over to the Communists? We could have done that at the very beginning." This particular sentiment is echoed throughout the book. Many discuss the racial issues both before, during and after their time in Vietnam.
The author did personal interviews with 20 vets, officers and enlisted personnel, but it's never really stated whether or not the veterans were encouraged just to tell their stories or if they were being questioned specifically about their experiences. However, the stories themselves were eye-opening, and aside from me wondering about the method of interviewing, the book held my interest until I finished it.
Originally published in 1985, and now, some forty years after the Vietnam war, it's still quite worth the time and effort to read this small book, especially for those who maybe want a different take on that conflict. I would most definitely recommend it, especially to those who are interested in the personal side of the Vietnam war and its aftermath.
Overall, very well done; at times heartbreaking, especially the reception that these men got when returning home.
The author did personal interviews with 20 vets, officers and enlisted personnel, but it's never really stated whether or not the veterans were encouraged just to tell their stories or if they were being questioned specifically about their experiences. However, the stories themselves were eye-opening, and aside from me wondering about the method of interviewing, the book held my interest until I finished it.
Originally published in 1985, and now, some forty years after the Vietnam war, it's still quite worth the time and effort to read this small book, especially for those who maybe want a different take on that conflict. I would most definitely recommend it, especially to those who are interested in the personal side of the Vietnam war and its aftermath.
Overall, very well done; at times heartbreaking, especially the reception that these men got when returning home.
April 17, 2008
This is thesis reading, but it's so good. To read specifically about the experiences of black soldiers in Vietnam as different from that of white soldiers is necessary. Funny in some parts, and of course, touching and sad in many. This period in American history is one that has always fascinated me.
May 4, 2025
This year, the end of April 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule as the last of the Americans left the country. Vietnam's legacy continues to haunt both countries, especially as the lessons of Vietnam seem to have been forgotten by my country's leaders. This book was assigned reading for my American History course, and I hope that it made as great an impact on my students as it did on me. Twenty black American veterans opened up their minds and souls to Wallace Terry, himself a renowned black journalist who had been assigned to Vietnam to cover the war. These personal stories reveal the struggles that these men faced, as they fought an enemy overseas while struggling with their own place in a country that did not fully accept them because of the color of their skin.
The two memoirs that will stay with me are those of Specialist 4 Arthur E. "Gene" Woodley, Jr., who described himself as an "animal" in his own words, and Colonel Fred V. Cherry, a combat pilot shot down over North Vietnam and held prisoner for years in various locations. Their stories are permanently seared in my mind.
The two memoirs that will stay with me are those of Specialist 4 Arthur E. "Gene" Woodley, Jr., who described himself as an "animal" in his own words, and Colonel Fred V. Cherry, a combat pilot shot down over North Vietnam and held prisoner for years in various locations. Their stories are permanently seared in my mind.
November 4, 2021
#NonficNov non-fiction reading challenge 1-30 November
These are 20 interviews with the soldiers who speak about their experiences
with exceptional candor and passion.
They give the reader a sense of what
it was like as a black man to serve in Vietnam
shoulder on shoulder with "I got your back" mentality
with other black and white soldiers.
Also we learn what it was like to come back to
the real "segregated" world stateside.
Wallace Terry (1938-2003) was a very talented journalist for Time magazine
....don't let his writing pass you by....it is razor sharp!
My Thoughts
These are 20 interviews with the soldiers who speak about their experiences
with exceptional candor and passion.
They give the reader a sense of what
it was like as a black man to serve in Vietnam
shoulder on shoulder with "I got your back" mentality
with other black and white soldiers.
Also we learn what it was like to come back to
the real "segregated" world stateside.
Wallace Terry (1938-2003) was a very talented journalist for Time magazine
....don't let his writing pass you by....it is razor sharp!
My Thoughts
April 10, 2012
I had read this book several times in middle school and had forgotten about it until I came across a copy in a used book store. Fantastic read that pulls no punches and tells not only a fascinating story about Vietnam from the view of black veterans..but looks at how society treated blacks in the military/society at the time of the Vietnam war.
October 28, 2025
Terry Gets It
Terry gives his readers the voices of African American veterans. They participated heavily in the war and their service needs to be recognized.
Terry gives his readers the voices of African American veterans. They participated heavily in the war and their service needs to be recognized.
August 10, 2007
Blacks got the shaft during the Vietnam War. . . who knew?
Naw, this book was actually the basis for the film "Dead Presidents" and does quite a good job showing the way black men were treated as cannon fodder (always assigned to be point men, doing recon, etc.) without being too preachy or in-your-face. The men who share their stories are often equally critical of their own communities and the people in them who dismissed them upon their return to the States. A quick, but not easy read.
Naw, this book was actually the basis for the film "Dead Presidents" and does quite a good job showing the way black men were treated as cannon fodder (always assigned to be point men, doing recon, etc.) without being too preachy or in-your-face. The men who share their stories are often equally critical of their own communities and the people in them who dismissed them upon their return to the States. A quick, but not easy read.
June 28, 2007
Not enough history books discuss the Black Vietnam soldier. This is an interesting collection of various voices from the soldier on the front line to the POW. This book is not for the weak, it is definitely up close and honest.
October 20, 2017
A Perspective Worth Looking At …
I remember seeing this book as a teenager over 30 years ago in a local mall’s Walden Bookstore. I’m sure I passed on the book in favor of a World War II book. All these years later, I immediately recognized the cover of this book (a Soldier/Marine throwing a grenade) in a list of suggested Vietnam books and felt compelled to finally read it … I’m glad I did.
The first book I ever bought about the Vietnam War was Al Santoli’s “Everything We Have”. I loved the format of that book because it let 33 veterans tell their stories … in their own words. BLOODS follows the same format. Wallace Terry provides the (very) personal stories of 20 Black American servicemen who served in Vietnam. Like Santoli’s book, BLOODS offers a wide perspective of experiences … different service branches and ranks, draftees, career-military, varying degrees of combat experience and as prisoners of war. As diverse as the individual stories are, they all share a common denominator: being black and fighting for a country that was still predominantly segregated as they served and sacrificed.
Wallace Terry provides a perspective of the American serviceman during the Vietnam War that has been touched-on, but never presented in such a personal manner. Rather than summarizing the accounts of these men, he lets them tell their stories in their own words, literally. Chock full of colloquialisms/jargon/slang representing the era, the stories read like each of the 20 men are actually speaking directly to the reader. Most all the men account for experiencing the horrors of combat (some of the stories are quite graphic and disturbing), but also recount a degree of racism that puts todays rampant use of the word to shame. It is hard not to read the book and wonder why these men felt compelled to fight for America at all … it certainly didn’t seem to be a worthy cause. What I liked about BLOODS was that it wasn’t all combat, but of lives interrupted by war, surviving that war only to come home and surviving a different type of war. The pathetic homecoming experienced by Vietnam veterans has been thoroughly documented; it was clearly worse for black veterans. There were several instances in the book where these men returned home only to be shunned by the black community for serving a country that treated their race so poorly. To a degree, the details of these veterans’ post war lives are more interesting than the wartime experiences and on some occasions, worse than the war itself. While there are accounts of postwar successes, many of these men succumbed to hardship and all of them struggled at some level (emotionally or physically). One of these stories become the basis for the film “Dead Presidents” (about a black Vietnam who seeks to better his life by robbing a bank). Unfortunately, Wallace Terry did not live to deliver a follow-up edition to show how these men fared in their later years (however, I’m sure an internet search can probably reveal details on some).
If you are truly interested in the Vietnam War and/or American History, I believe BLOODS is a vital ingredient in better understanding the complexity and controversial nature of the American experience in Vietnam. The integrated US military had significant problems within and this book sheds light on that issue. The stories are raw and painful to read, but reading about the experiences of these men shows how far America has come over the years. It’s shameful how the country treated Vietnam veterans in general, but after reading BLOODS, there are some veterans who had a worse “homecoming”. Wallace Terry’s vision of exposing the experience of black servicemen in Vietnam is a hard punch to the reader’s stomach.
I remember seeing this book as a teenager over 30 years ago in a local mall’s Walden Bookstore. I’m sure I passed on the book in favor of a World War II book. All these years later, I immediately recognized the cover of this book (a Soldier/Marine throwing a grenade) in a list of suggested Vietnam books and felt compelled to finally read it … I’m glad I did.
The first book I ever bought about the Vietnam War was Al Santoli’s “Everything We Have”. I loved the format of that book because it let 33 veterans tell their stories … in their own words. BLOODS follows the same format. Wallace Terry provides the (very) personal stories of 20 Black American servicemen who served in Vietnam. Like Santoli’s book, BLOODS offers a wide perspective of experiences … different service branches and ranks, draftees, career-military, varying degrees of combat experience and as prisoners of war. As diverse as the individual stories are, they all share a common denominator: being black and fighting for a country that was still predominantly segregated as they served and sacrificed.
Wallace Terry provides a perspective of the American serviceman during the Vietnam War that has been touched-on, but never presented in such a personal manner. Rather than summarizing the accounts of these men, he lets them tell their stories in their own words, literally. Chock full of colloquialisms/jargon/slang representing the era, the stories read like each of the 20 men are actually speaking directly to the reader. Most all the men account for experiencing the horrors of combat (some of the stories are quite graphic and disturbing), but also recount a degree of racism that puts todays rampant use of the word to shame. It is hard not to read the book and wonder why these men felt compelled to fight for America at all … it certainly didn’t seem to be a worthy cause. What I liked about BLOODS was that it wasn’t all combat, but of lives interrupted by war, surviving that war only to come home and surviving a different type of war. The pathetic homecoming experienced by Vietnam veterans has been thoroughly documented; it was clearly worse for black veterans. There were several instances in the book where these men returned home only to be shunned by the black community for serving a country that treated their race so poorly. To a degree, the details of these veterans’ post war lives are more interesting than the wartime experiences and on some occasions, worse than the war itself. While there are accounts of postwar successes, many of these men succumbed to hardship and all of them struggled at some level (emotionally or physically). One of these stories become the basis for the film “Dead Presidents” (about a black Vietnam who seeks to better his life by robbing a bank). Unfortunately, Wallace Terry did not live to deliver a follow-up edition to show how these men fared in their later years (however, I’m sure an internet search can probably reveal details on some).
If you are truly interested in the Vietnam War and/or American History, I believe BLOODS is a vital ingredient in better understanding the complexity and controversial nature of the American experience in Vietnam. The integrated US military had significant problems within and this book sheds light on that issue. The stories are raw and painful to read, but reading about the experiences of these men shows how far America has come over the years. It’s shameful how the country treated Vietnam veterans in general, but after reading BLOODS, there are some veterans who had a worse “homecoming”. Wallace Terry’s vision of exposing the experience of black servicemen in Vietnam is a hard punch to the reader’s stomach.
January 23, 2019
Bloods is an important book - if you want to understand the African American experience in Vietnam. And frankly, if you want to really understand the Vietnam War, it's good to understand the divisions within the SEATO/South Vietnamese alliance. African Americans went to Vietnam in numbers larger than their 12% of the General American Population, and had difficulties becoming qualified for the technical positions that would keep them out of Combat units. Thus a larger number went into front line units. Wallace Terry the author/compiler does a good job of seeking out all sorts of stories for this book, so we get both typical and atypical experiences, from "Grunts" to Technical experts in the Navy to an Air Force Pilot who flew missions - and then spent years in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW. All the while - compelling stuff and well worth the read.
The armed forces of the 60s and 70s- were considered a good career for a young African American male. The Army had started integrating in the Forties, so it was seen as very progressive- for the period. Of course Casual and Overt racism were still massively evident- as almost every one of these Oral Histories will show. Really takes you back to a time when White Americans were just beginning to realize how badly they had treated their fellow citizens. The strong character of these young men was called on time and time again to deal with slights both large and small. Some of them cracked under the pressure- most did not. Great stories- well told.
This might be a tough read for those Junior readers under about 11- there are some graphic passages and adult themes- but its well worth it- especially for children of colour. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- its a more nuanced lode. There are a few descriptions of contacts and scenes that might work for Scenario and Diorama development, but in the main this is a book to read to get the feel of the period- more than to improve your gaming/modelling. I certainly found myself respecting the services of the men who tell their stories here even more than I did when I started this book- And I was pretty damn respectful to begin with. A strong recommendation for this Classic.
The armed forces of the 60s and 70s- were considered a good career for a young African American male. The Army had started integrating in the Forties, so it was seen as very progressive- for the period. Of course Casual and Overt racism were still massively evident- as almost every one of these Oral Histories will show. Really takes you back to a time when White Americans were just beginning to realize how badly they had treated their fellow citizens. The strong character of these young men was called on time and time again to deal with slights both large and small. Some of them cracked under the pressure- most did not. Great stories- well told.
This might be a tough read for those Junior readers under about 11- there are some graphic passages and adult themes- but its well worth it- especially for children of colour. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- its a more nuanced lode. There are a few descriptions of contacts and scenes that might work for Scenario and Diorama development, but in the main this is a book to read to get the feel of the period- more than to improve your gaming/modelling. I certainly found myself respecting the services of the men who tell their stories here even more than I did when I started this book- And I was pretty damn respectful to begin with. A strong recommendation for this Classic.
January 4, 2014
It's important to realize that most of America's classic war memoirs, particularly those celebrating the United States Marine Corps such as WITH THE OLD BREED by E.B. Sledge and A RUMOR OF WAR by Philip Caputo, focus only on white troops.
This collection focuses on the experiences of black combat troops in all four branches of the service in the Vietnam War. It is a must read for its truthfulness, tension, poignant honesty, and power.
This is the Marine Corps southern die-hards like William Styron didn't want to serve in. This is the Marine Corps modern conservatives ignore. This is the real Marine Corps of today, the "New Breed" that fought in Vietnam and went on to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This collection focuses on the experiences of black combat troops in all four branches of the service in the Vietnam War. It is a must read for its truthfulness, tension, poignant honesty, and power.
This is the Marine Corps southern die-hards like William Styron didn't want to serve in. This is the Marine Corps modern conservatives ignore. This is the real Marine Corps of today, the "New Breed" that fought in Vietnam and went on to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
August 24, 2020
This book presents the stories, experiences and reflections of a series Black veterans of the Vietnam War. This covers a wide range of compelling personal stories recalled by young volunteers, recruits, senior enlisted men and officers representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The stories describe tough engagements with North Vietnamese fighters, friendly villagers, specific battles, casualties, POW experiences and difficult adjustments to life back home. Several stories are uplifting and others are brutal. All in all I found the book to be a valuable addition to my understanding of the war's impact.
May 28, 2022
I'm currently reading this collection of oral stories and wanted to share. Some really really powerful stuff, unflinching, asks all the right questions and it's the veterans themselves doing the asking.
I can only read one chapter at a time because some of it's so heavy, but I keep going back because there's something about these stories I feel like I need to deeply, deeply understand. Anyways, I highly recommend this one.
I can only read one chapter at a time because some of it's so heavy, but I keep going back because there's something about these stories I feel like I need to deeply, deeply understand. Anyways, I highly recommend this one.
July 9, 2012
I had to read this for a history class in college and it was a very captivating read. As I was reading the book I realized that several of the stories in this book were the basis for the movie Dead Presidents which is one of my favorite movies.
May 20, 2017
Read this on my own at university. Gripping views on alterity and social justice.
February 1, 2022
They called themselves "bloods", the form of unification between the black soldiers who had fought in the Vietnam War. In Bloods, Wallace Terry writes about the black veterans and their experience against racial tensions in the United States and Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The intensity was getting especially high during 1967 at the time of MLK and other influential black men and women who were against the war. This book is amazing in explaining the perspective of black soldiers during the Vietnam War and is informative because during a state of discrimination is a common ground. When the perspectives of each soldier is gone over, the term "bloods" starts to feel more and more unifying between all the soldiers as they desire to fight more for the United States because they believed in their country. The first story talks about Private First Class Reginald "Malik" Edwards and his experience as a black soldier during the war and describes how even though he knew about racism and discrimination he still believed in fighting for his country like everyone else. Backtracking to Mr. Terry's introduction to the story is his relation to one of the first young soldiers known to die in the war of age 16 and was black because at the time of 1984 he had a son who was also age 16 and wanted to express the tones of war from black veterans in Vietnam in writing as to get the word out for notable intent. This form of writing makes the novel emotionally relatable and sad at times when each story is looked at closely; this book takes a serious tone and different perspective than most Vietnam war books. The only tiny issue I might've had reading with the book is that it's underrated and one of a kind. In a book like this, you'd always want to know more about this time period and it's hard to find ones of this specific nature related to the Vietnam war.
February 20, 2010
I love good oral history. The absolute immediacy of learning about events from the mouths of people who were actually there makes historical events more real and more powerful. Bloods is an oral history of the Vietnam War as told by black veterans and it is a powerful read. The stories are as diverse as their tellers - from volunteers who saw the service as a way to get ahead to draftees who just wanted to get in and get out, absolute heroes to borderline war criminals - this book provides over a dozen unique perspectives on what happened before, during and after.
It's good to note that blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population. Many people who were against the Vietnam War were against it because the draft tended to put poorer people in combat since they were less likely to be able to afford the kinds of deferments that were given to college students. This reflection is buried in these interviews with man after man talking about graduating high school, wanting to go to college, but not being able to afford it and ending up in Vietnam.
A couple of these interviews stand out for me. Edgar Huff. At the time of his retirement, Huff was the senior enlisted man in the entire US military and the first black sergeant major in the Marine Corps. He remembers the Marine Corps before and after its segregation. He fought at Guadalcanal, Korea, and Vietnam. This is a true hero who served his country with dedication and honor, yet after his retirement white Marines from Camp Lejeune threw phosphorous grenades into the yard where he and his family were having a meal screaming, "Nigger!" Unreal.
I was also moved by the story of Fred Cherry, who was a fighter pilot shot down in 1965 and held in the Hanoi Hilton until 1973. His story of survival and friendship and his dispassionate recitation of atrocities suffered by himself and other prisoners was particularly moving.
There are many other stories here that will stay with you - men who came back and ended up in prison and used that time to improve things not just for themselves but for other black veterans, men who made lives upon their return despite being haunted by the war, and men who never quite returned. Their stories are meaningful and important for an understanding of war in Vietnam.
My only criticism of the book is that I wish their had been some written history by the author connecting and contextualizing the interviews. I think this extra big of work would have greatly heightened the story this book is telling.
It's good to note that blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population. Many people who were against the Vietnam War were against it because the draft tended to put poorer people in combat since they were less likely to be able to afford the kinds of deferments that were given to college students. This reflection is buried in these interviews with man after man talking about graduating high school, wanting to go to college, but not being able to afford it and ending up in Vietnam.
A couple of these interviews stand out for me. Edgar Huff. At the time of his retirement, Huff was the senior enlisted man in the entire US military and the first black sergeant major in the Marine Corps. He remembers the Marine Corps before and after its segregation. He fought at Guadalcanal, Korea, and Vietnam. This is a true hero who served his country with dedication and honor, yet after his retirement white Marines from Camp Lejeune threw phosphorous grenades into the yard where he and his family were having a meal screaming, "Nigger!" Unreal.
I was also moved by the story of Fred Cherry, who was a fighter pilot shot down in 1965 and held in the Hanoi Hilton until 1973. His story of survival and friendship and his dispassionate recitation of atrocities suffered by himself and other prisoners was particularly moving.
There are many other stories here that will stay with you - men who came back and ended up in prison and used that time to improve things not just for themselves but for other black veterans, men who made lives upon their return despite being haunted by the war, and men who never quite returned. Their stories are meaningful and important for an understanding of war in Vietnam.
My only criticism of the book is that I wish their had been some written history by the author connecting and contextualizing the interviews. I think this extra big of work would have greatly heightened the story this book is telling.
January 30, 2021
This book was definitely bitter-sweet for me. Overall, it’s a fantastic unfiltered book that holds no punches but some of the details were just too much to take at times.
Bloods is the oral history of US Black War Veterans in the Vietnam War. A remarkable and truly important book as the the history of Black Soldiers in that War is often neglected and/or under-appreciated.
I really felt for some of the Soldiers as the racism that was going on in the US at the time was also brought over into War in Vietnam. Some overt racism but mostly institutionalised racism within the US Armed Forces.
One Marine described being arrested by Police whilst he was in Marine uniform as they told him there weren’t no *expletive in the Marines. He was locked up for 3 days until the Marines found out he was missing and bailed him out.
Other forms of racism the Black Soldiers would face are; not being awarded medals/promotions for the same level of bravery etc as their White counterparts, constantly being made be point man (at the front of the platoon - much more risky), given the lowest details such as cleaning, emptying the toilet drums, and being segregated in the sleeping quarters.
A really important book about the history of US black soldiers in the Vietnam War
Highly recommended.
Bloods is the oral history of US Black War Veterans in the Vietnam War. A remarkable and truly important book as the the history of Black Soldiers in that War is often neglected and/or under-appreciated.
I really felt for some of the Soldiers as the racism that was going on in the US at the time was also brought over into War in Vietnam. Some overt racism but mostly institutionalised racism within the US Armed Forces.
One Marine described being arrested by Police whilst he was in Marine uniform as they told him there weren’t no *expletive in the Marines. He was locked up for 3 days until the Marines found out he was missing and bailed him out.
Other forms of racism the Black Soldiers would face are; not being awarded medals/promotions for the same level of bravery etc as their White counterparts, constantly being made be point man (at the front of the platoon - much more risky), given the lowest details such as cleaning, emptying the toilet drums, and being segregated in the sleeping quarters.
A really important book about the history of US black soldiers in the Vietnam War
Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2015
Wallace Terry came to my college to speak in the 80s. He was an entertaining speaker and this book was very entertaining. It brought insights into the black experience and highlighted some of the more dramatic stories, such as prison uprisings in military prisons in Vietnam. He could veer into the territory of playing to stereotypes. For example, one story he told was of black marines firing machine guns in between the refrain of "Ain't to proud to beg" in the jungle. Yeah. So, if you want stories like this, this is a good book to look at. It also had plenty of "non-rock and roll stories" that traced where the kids came from, how they found themselves in Vietnam and what they experienced when they went home. One memorable passage featured a black veteran explaining how the experience as a soldier helped his career as a petty criminal after he got back from Vietnam. "For instance, we knew that if someone was pointing a shotgun at you from more than 25 yards away, they might as well shove that gun up their ass."
April 23, 2020
This was given as a history assignment, and I dreaded it. War is not typically a subject I enjoy reading or watching, I'm a fiction/horror fan all the way. However, being married to a veteran, I have a great deal of respect for a soldier's experience. This book really was good. It gave an insight into this war people just don't hear or talk about. I cried and laughed with these guys, and am heart broken that anyone should have to endure such a test of a character. These guys were absolutely amazing, and overall, this read makes me rethink letting a war story in on occasion.
May 18, 2020
With Spike Lee's interesting-looking June 12 Netflix joint DA 5 BLOODS getting so much hype, I suggest first reading BLOODS, one of the finest books I've ever read on the Vietnam War. Raw, uncompromising, intimate, moving. The range of experiences is astounding. One guy never left his supply base and traded PX supplies for drugs and whores, another had to march 20 miles on a shattered ankle and stab North Vietnamese children to death so they wouldn't give away his position on long-range recon. One of the stories was also the basis for the 1995 movie DEAD PRESIDENTS.
May 27, 2020
When most people think about veterans that came out of Vietnam they think about people who have become hippies or just plain crazy. In Bloods by Wallace Terry not only are the stories real and gory, but diverse and full of different experiences and viewpoints on the war. From the first story all the way to the last any person-both young and old will enjoy the book. Those that are willing to seek facts and truth about a perilous time in the history of the U.S. can read this book. Overall I gave this book a 4.7/5.
March 14, 2020
The most educational, enlightening, painstaking, heartwrenching, thought provoking books I've ever read. I experienced so many emotions reading this book including laughter. When they were funny, they were FUNNY. I even walked away with a sense of pride in reading these stories because no matter what they put our people through, they will rise. To live to tell this story, you are nothing short of a miracle. Keep these Veterans and all Veterans and their families in your prayers.
January 18, 2022
Excellent book, made up of oral histories in which black serviceman describe their experiences in Vietnam. In one sense the histories are unique in that they give the "black" perspective on the war but in another sense they are universal in their descriptions of what war does to all servicemen. Well worth reading.
August 10, 2011
Very good oral history project on the African-American experiance in Vietnam. What impressed me was the diversity of occupations and opinions among the interviewees. Terry Wallace did a fantastic job of capturing the complexity surrounding the African-American experiance in Vietnam.
November 22, 2019
Excellent Read
Story telling at its best, from the soldiers themselves. This book captures the raw emotions our guys felt during their tour in hell. Gives you a greater understanding and appreciation for what they sacrificed and had to endure.
Story telling at its best, from the soldiers themselves. This book captures the raw emotions our guys felt during their tour in hell. Gives you a greater understanding and appreciation for what they sacrificed and had to endure.
June 29, 2020
An important history that reflects how truly complex and complicated the Vietnam War was for Black Americans. There is no commentary included, only the stories of those who lived through the experience. I wish there was more of this kind of history-telling.
September 19, 2024
Powerful, harrowing testimonies from black Vietnam veterans about their time in Vietnam and how it changed them as people. At times genuinely hard to read for the sheer brutality. War really is Hell.
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