What do you think?
Rate this book
Goodbye Junie Moon
Goodbye Junie Moon is a memoir written by June Collins, co-author of The Khaki Mafia.
A curvaceous Australian dancer entertains the troops in Vietnam. She uncovers a get rich quick scheme involving the sergeants running the American Army clubs. Discovering that she has reported them to the CID, they place a high price on her head. She learns they are watching the only airport out, preventing her escape. Then fate steps in, triggering an unexpected turn of events. Goodbye Junie Moon is a memoir which reads like fiction and is guaranteed to keep you turning the page. This true story is verified by numerous newspaper and magazine articles.
Racy, action-filled, heart stopping, poignant; it is all of these!
A curvaceous Australian dancer entertains the troops in Vietnam. She uncovers a get rich quick scheme involving the sergeants running the American Army clubs. Discovering that she has reported them to the CID, they place a high price on her head. She learns they are watching the only airport out, preventing her escape. Then fate steps in, triggering an unexpected turn of events. Goodbye Junie Moon is a memoir which reads like fiction and is guaranteed to keep you turning the page. This true story is verified by numerous newspaper and magazine articles.
Racy, action-filled, heart stopping, poignant; it is all of these!
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2012
45 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
June Collins
11 books32 followersJune Collins made international news headlines in 1969 when she became a whistle-blower and testified before a U.S. Senate Committee. She pointed the finger at a group of corrupt American Army sergeants who had made millions in Vietnam by demanding kickbacks from all booking agents and sales people. June, an ex exotic dancer,had provided rock bands to the US military camps during the war. After destroying her business by listening to her conscience, she made a comeback when The Khaki Mafia, (co-authored with Robin Moore, author of The French Connection) was published and became a best seller book.
During her many years living in Asia, June had become appalled by the plight of the abandoned street children. In her home country, Australia, adoption was near impossible. Therefore, she chose to remain in the USA. Eventually she was able to adopt six children, ranging in age from three to thirteen, from India, Korea, Columbia and the USA.
Once the children were grown she again turned to writing and has again written two more books about the Vietnam war. Goodbye Junie Moon is the non-fictionalized story about her encounters with The Khaki Mafia. The sequel, Junie moon Rising, shows her recovery from PTSD after the war ends and she tries to fit back into civilian life.
Following a turbulent life, she now resides in relative tranquility on a mountain top overlooking the ocean in Queensland Australia.
During her many years living in Asia, June had become appalled by the plight of the abandoned street children. In her home country, Australia, adoption was near impossible. Therefore, she chose to remain in the USA. Eventually she was able to adopt six children, ranging in age from three to thirteen, from India, Korea, Columbia and the USA.
Once the children were grown she again turned to writing and has again written two more books about the Vietnam war. Goodbye Junie Moon is the non-fictionalized story about her encounters with The Khaki Mafia. The sequel, Junie moon Rising, shows her recovery from PTSD after the war ends and she tries to fit back into civilian life.
Following a turbulent life, she now resides in relative tranquility on a mountain top overlooking the ocean in Queensland Australia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 19, 2012
I love this book. I wrote it. How's that for humility? But what sort of writers would we be if we did not love what we created?
September 7, 2012
An incredible story by an incredible woman! The author, June Collins, draws the reader into her fascinating world, seamlessly transferring between alternative chapters of growing up in Australia in the 50s and leading up to working as an entertainer for the troops in the Vietnam War. Her childhood, though fascinating in itself, is relevant to satisfy the curiosity of how June ended up where she did. I was awed at her bravery and empathy as she preferred to support the men in the thick of battle rather than sitting on the sidelines. June provides an authentic insider view into the Vietnam war from a different perspective which taught me more than any historical account. For that alone, the book is worth the read. However, there is so much more to be gained. This is a personal story, and June does not hold back, being extremely honest about her connections with married men as well as her occasional stripping. She does not judge anyone and accepted the war and all its horrors at face value, and as a reader, I held the same respect for her. Being a whistleblower and uncovering the corruption is just the cherry on top. This book is educational, entertaining, fascinating, heartfelt and the story is well crafted. Read it!
December 26, 2012
This is the memoir of a whistle-blower. I always admire people who can do this; take risks because they believe in what they are doing, exposing something they feel is just not right. This book is the story of one such whistle-blower, who exposed corruption during the Vietnam war. The war wasn't bad enough for this country; we lost 50,000 young men, yet some didn't want the war to ever end because it was, in effect, a cash cow. A certain group made lots of money by organizing and demanding kickbacks for anyone who was part of the effort to provide badly-needed entertainment to the soldiers. It ended with a Senate investigation in which June played a major part in exposing the corruption.
The book starts with a sex scene, which might be a good hook for some readers and not others. I thought it was risky to do that. Actually, it is the most graphic sex scene in the book. As such, I thought perhaps readers would be thinking they were getting one sort or a reading experience while it turned out not to be the case. But it sets up the story of June's plot to expose the corruption, and to do that, she uses her body to get close to one of the perpetrators. Turns out this particular guy isn't the worst offender, but he is an offender. June comes to care for this man, but still, she has a job to do.
The chapters go back and forth, starting with June's journey from Vietnam to Washington, and then back to her childhood. It was a bit like two stories, one chapter from childhood/growing up, then one from June's adult life, her experiences after leaving Australia to her dancing career in the Philippines, Manila, and throughout Asia and finally Viet Nam. I thought that was an interesting structure, rather than the strictly chronological.
It is an honest portrayal of her life. I liked her voice and it is well-written, with one exception. I found lots of missing punctuation, which may or may not have been intended. It was clear that the writing style is as personal as the story itself. But other than that, I found the story of June's experiences very interesting and it was an eye-opener to me, that she could live such a dangerous lifestyle. I don't think I could have done that. She was a strong person, who believed what she was doing was, in addition to providing a way for her to earn a living, helpful to the troops badly in need of some fun.
Anyone interested in the Vietnam war should read this. If you were against the war before, I think you'll be even more so after reading.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free promotional copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
The book starts with a sex scene, which might be a good hook for some readers and not others. I thought it was risky to do that. Actually, it is the most graphic sex scene in the book. As such, I thought perhaps readers would be thinking they were getting one sort or a reading experience while it turned out not to be the case. But it sets up the story of June's plot to expose the corruption, and to do that, she uses her body to get close to one of the perpetrators. Turns out this particular guy isn't the worst offender, but he is an offender. June comes to care for this man, but still, she has a job to do.
The chapters go back and forth, starting with June's journey from Vietnam to Washington, and then back to her childhood. It was a bit like two stories, one chapter from childhood/growing up, then one from June's adult life, her experiences after leaving Australia to her dancing career in the Philippines, Manila, and throughout Asia and finally Viet Nam. I thought that was an interesting structure, rather than the strictly chronological.
It is an honest portrayal of her life. I liked her voice and it is well-written, with one exception. I found lots of missing punctuation, which may or may not have been intended. It was clear that the writing style is as personal as the story itself. But other than that, I found the story of June's experiences very interesting and it was an eye-opener to me, that she could live such a dangerous lifestyle. I don't think I could have done that. She was a strong person, who believed what she was doing was, in addition to providing a way for her to earn a living, helpful to the troops badly in need of some fun.
Anyone interested in the Vietnam war should read this. If you were against the war before, I think you'll be even more so after reading.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free promotional copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
January 30, 2013
This is a wonderful book that I would normally have never read, but I am so glad that I did. It is a facinating story of a brave and courageous woman who overcame the nadir of her life in Australia to become a show-girl dancer in Asia and ultimately Vietnam. There she discovered to her revulsion the corruption of kick backs that were rampant amongst Seargent Majors during the war in which hundreds of thousands of dollars were taken from troops as tribute in return for entertainment.
The book is extremely well written and weaves the story of Junie Moon alternatively from her early life to her testimony before congress in 1969.
I tip my proverbial hat to you Ms. Moon.You have created a wonderful read.I hope you are happy and do well with the book
The book is extremely well written and weaves the story of Junie Moon alternatively from her early life to her testimony before congress in 1969.
I tip my proverbial hat to you Ms. Moon.You have created a wonderful read.I hope you are happy and do well with the book
April 18, 2013
Goodbye Junie Moon by June Collins is a moving story of a young girl trying to fend for herself in a hostile world. She eventually decides to hit back against the odds at the possible cost of her life.
“It was fate that took me to Vietnam,” she says. I can well believe it. Fate certainly seemed to deal her the kind of cards she would need to summon up the courage for what she did. Whistle-blowing over the illicit activities of a top general and a gang of sergeants in a war zone was not something to be taken lightly. Those she opposed could easily have had her murdered and made her death look like a war casualty.
June had a wretchedly arduous childhood in the Australian outback. It was brought on by a gambler father, who sold the family home to pay his debts and then abandoned wife and children. A teenage rape victim, she married young, survived three miscarriages and then, abandoned by her equally young farmer husband, she went to Brisbane to train as a dance instructor.
That put her on the road to becoming an exotic dancer in Asian nightclubs, eventually arriving in wartime Vietnam to entertain US troops, first with her own act and then as manager of a troupe.
In the latter role she became more and more aware of the corrupt influence of the NCOs overseeing the supplies provided to the army. The sellers had to pay them huge kickbacks on what they received. She was obliged to do the same out of what her troupe was paid. But financial considerations were by no means her sole motive in deciding her to gather evidence against the crooks, using a tape recorder in her handbag.
Fate had also supplied her with a good deal of compassion as well as courage, her heart going out to homeless street children as well as the young privates who returned to base from a fire-fight in body bags. She discovered that while war meant death for thousands of young men, it was seen merely as a means of making enormous sums for an uncaring, non-combat lot bent on stuffing Swiss bank accounts. This realisation eventually decided her to do more than simply complain to those in authority who apparently could, but would not, budge on the matter.
The story, which climaxes in June’s being called to be the star witness in a US Congress inquiry into corruption in the US army in Vietnam, brought to mind the motto of Britain’s Royal Air Force, ‘Per Ardua ad Astra---- Through Adversity to the Stars.’
This story assured me that Joan of Arc’s spirit did not perish at the stake in Rouen.
“It was fate that took me to Vietnam,” she says. I can well believe it. Fate certainly seemed to deal her the kind of cards she would need to summon up the courage for what she did. Whistle-blowing over the illicit activities of a top general and a gang of sergeants in a war zone was not something to be taken lightly. Those she opposed could easily have had her murdered and made her death look like a war casualty.
June had a wretchedly arduous childhood in the Australian outback. It was brought on by a gambler father, who sold the family home to pay his debts and then abandoned wife and children. A teenage rape victim, she married young, survived three miscarriages and then, abandoned by her equally young farmer husband, she went to Brisbane to train as a dance instructor.
That put her on the road to becoming an exotic dancer in Asian nightclubs, eventually arriving in wartime Vietnam to entertain US troops, first with her own act and then as manager of a troupe.
In the latter role she became more and more aware of the corrupt influence of the NCOs overseeing the supplies provided to the army. The sellers had to pay them huge kickbacks on what they received. She was obliged to do the same out of what her troupe was paid. But financial considerations were by no means her sole motive in deciding her to gather evidence against the crooks, using a tape recorder in her handbag.
Fate had also supplied her with a good deal of compassion as well as courage, her heart going out to homeless street children as well as the young privates who returned to base from a fire-fight in body bags. She discovered that while war meant death for thousands of young men, it was seen merely as a means of making enormous sums for an uncaring, non-combat lot bent on stuffing Swiss bank accounts. This realisation eventually decided her to do more than simply complain to those in authority who apparently could, but would not, budge on the matter.
The story, which climaxes in June’s being called to be the star witness in a US Congress inquiry into corruption in the US army in Vietnam, brought to mind the motto of Britain’s Royal Air Force, ‘Per Ardua ad Astra---- Through Adversity to the Stars.’
This story assured me that Joan of Arc’s spirit did not perish at the stake in Rouen.
January 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was as easy to read as an exciting fiction novel and yet it is all true!
There is a lot to learn about the Vietnam War that I didn't know and it is interesting to learn about how it was for the soldiers, their living arrangements and so on. Mind you, this novel is about June Collins' experience during her time in Vietnam during the war, but she spent enough time with the soldiers that you learn about them. I also enjoyed the photos!
I had never heard of June Collins before this, probably due to the year I was born, but I am interested in learning more about her.
I recommend this book!
There is a lot to learn about the Vietnam War that I didn't know and it is interesting to learn about how it was for the soldiers, their living arrangements and so on. Mind you, this novel is about June Collins' experience during her time in Vietnam during the war, but she spent enough time with the soldiers that you learn about them. I also enjoyed the photos!
I had never heard of June Collins before this, probably due to the year I was born, but I am interested in learning more about her.
I recommend this book!
November 24, 2013
Goodbye Junie Moon offers readers an inside look at the entertainment business in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and also exposes a growing corruption ring within the military service industry in Vietnam. Have you ever witnessed people or fellow employees continuing to break the rules or conducting ongoing illegal business? As a hard-working, honest employee yourself, you try to do the right thing and report this to your supervisor - only nothing happens. What if you continued up the chain of command and found that the issue continues to be covered up? Whistle Blowers are at risk of retaliation: losing a job or career, harassment, intimidation and possibly death. Who can you trust? Is it worth it? In the case of Junie Moon, she finally finds the right people to support her and goes public - the wrong doers immediately place a bounty on her head and she is unable to flee Vietnam and return to her native Australia. Once the U.S. Government is involved, June is placed into protective custody and whisked to the United States capital.
This is a true story and well publicized during the senate investigations in Washington, D.C. However, I was still in high school and too naive to understand the ramifications. I did get sent to Vietnam in 1970 as an infantryman and never suspected things like this occurred. Now, I have an idea why some of the war trophies we sent to the rear for safe keeping disappeared! It is remarkable to note that after reading about the kick backs and "pay to play" schemes in Vietnam, nothing seems to have changed in the last fifty years; greed and corruption is still rampant!
I did enjoy the 'behind the scenes" story of the entertainment industry during the Vietnam War. The author, June Collins, writes about her dreams and growing up in Australia, alternating those chapters with her experiences in Vietnam. It takes a lot of guts for a person to do what she did during the war. She loved the soldiers and hated to see groups taking advantage of them. She didn't sit on the side lines watching the war go by...June got right into the thick of things, trying to fix what was broken.
Highly recommended...don't let the first chapter dissuade you from continuing to read this story...you'll be glad you did! Great job Ms. Collins!
John Podlask, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
This is a true story and well publicized during the senate investigations in Washington, D.C. However, I was still in high school and too naive to understand the ramifications. I did get sent to Vietnam in 1970 as an infantryman and never suspected things like this occurred. Now, I have an idea why some of the war trophies we sent to the rear for safe keeping disappeared! It is remarkable to note that after reading about the kick backs and "pay to play" schemes in Vietnam, nothing seems to have changed in the last fifty years; greed and corruption is still rampant!
I did enjoy the 'behind the scenes" story of the entertainment industry during the Vietnam War. The author, June Collins, writes about her dreams and growing up in Australia, alternating those chapters with her experiences in Vietnam. It takes a lot of guts for a person to do what she did during the war. She loved the soldiers and hated to see groups taking advantage of them. She didn't sit on the side lines watching the war go by...June got right into the thick of things, trying to fix what was broken.
Highly recommended...don't let the first chapter dissuade you from continuing to read this story...you'll be glad you did! Great job Ms. Collins!
John Podlask, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
February 5, 2013
Several books I've read this year took me to Vietnam, but this one takes me there as a woman. Her initial introduction to a war torn country in the 1960's was horribly frightening, but she tells of it as if it were a stormy day in a park. She was a woman alone in Vietnam during a devastating war, to entertain troops. At first, I couldn't make up my mind if June was courageous, audacious, or just plain crazy. I sensed no fright, but rather extraordinary curiosity and fascination on her part. It was as though her guts crossed paths with her good sense, while she exchanged her sarcasm with her conduit, O'Halloran - the man who brought her there unaware she would not allow him to prostitute her many talents, became the springboard to her fate in Vietnam.
From the read I learned how deadly honesty could conceivably be. I speak strictly for myself as one who has not traveled to places this author brought me to, until I read this astonishing story. Nothing in June Collins' book is predictable when she finds herself in Vietnam for three and a half years as an entertainer... While the horrors of that war, the underhanded politics of that war and the extreme experiences there saddened me deeply but not as deeply as when she placed violets on her dead baby's grave.
I'm not sure which impression moved me the most; her story, or that woman who survived her story!
The most profound quote in June Collin's narrative is, "Like the old saying goes, `You've never really lived until you've nearly died.' Unfortunately, only five stars are allowed as a rating for a book. A great book!
From the read I learned how deadly honesty could conceivably be. I speak strictly for myself as one who has not traveled to places this author brought me to, until I read this astonishing story. Nothing in June Collins' book is predictable when she finds herself in Vietnam for three and a half years as an entertainer... While the horrors of that war, the underhanded politics of that war and the extreme experiences there saddened me deeply but not as deeply as when she placed violets on her dead baby's grave.
I'm not sure which impression moved me the most; her story, or that woman who survived her story!
The most profound quote in June Collin's narrative is, "Like the old saying goes, `You've never really lived until you've nearly died.' Unfortunately, only five stars are allowed as a rating for a book. A great book!
August 16, 2013
Goodbye Junie Moon is our book club book for this month. When I first saw this book selection I was kind of like "eh, that books is going to suck". But then I started reading it and OH MAN is it a good book!!
June Collins started off life in Australia with her family. She was pretty much mid class from how it seemed but then her father took a hike. She ended up living with her rich grandparents while her mother and siblings went to a dairy farm. She got a bit spoiled with Grandma and Grandpa. Then her Mom came and got her and took her off to a dump. Mom was also pregnant and the other guy's kids were there too so it was a big poor family.
So from that June learns a bit of both sides of the tracks. Eventually she finds herself in Vietnam in the entertainment industry and realizes that there is some dirty money going on.
This whole book was so good I ended up spending the whole day on it. I'm actually reading the sequel now and it's just as good. I don't know if she actually wrote the book herself or if someone else writes for her but she's quite the story teller!
June Collins started off life in Australia with her family. She was pretty much mid class from how it seemed but then her father took a hike. She ended up living with her rich grandparents while her mother and siblings went to a dairy farm. She got a bit spoiled with Grandma and Grandpa. Then her Mom came and got her and took her off to a dump. Mom was also pregnant and the other guy's kids were there too so it was a big poor family.
So from that June learns a bit of both sides of the tracks. Eventually she finds herself in Vietnam in the entertainment industry and realizes that there is some dirty money going on.
This whole book was so good I ended up spending the whole day on it. I'm actually reading the sequel now and it's just as good. I don't know if she actually wrote the book herself or if someone else writes for her but she's quite the story teller!
September 3, 2013
When I started this book I had no idea where it would be taking me. This woman led quite a life. I can't imagine any woman having so much courage and strength that she possessed it sickened me what greed can do to human beings and the prices of human lives that were paid for such greed. I can only remind myself God will be their judge when their time on this earth is over. Some have already left us and have been judged by The Almighty.
July 10, 2012
A interesting tale of a life outside of the box of our standard lives. Marvelous!
August 25, 2013
Incredible book! Loved how the author reminds readers about the difference between the 60s and now.
July 18, 2013
Goodbye Junie Moon is a thoroughly engrossing read. I was a little surprised at how the book opened, talk about grabbing someone's attention!
The different aspects of June Collins' life up to the investigation where she went on record about the corruption within the US military during the Vietnam war, was well documented and added to the emotional and personal feel of this book. I felt as I was reading, that I came to know June a little. I witnessed her past through her eyes, something we seldom get to do, and I could not only understand her anger at these men, but I too shared it with her.
I loved that this book had a lot of Aussie-ness included, June is an Aussie, so there was bound to be some in here. But most of all, I loved that we got to see rural New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne through June's eyes. I've personally been to a number of the places visited in the book and I loved hearing about them in the time that June was there. It was an eye-opener.
The insight into the life of the men who fought and the few women who were also present in the Vietnam war was truly amazing. Some of the situations June found herself in raised the hairs on the back of my neck as I rapidly read through them. Her courage and determination shone throughout the pages of this book.
Along with the great times and experiences June shares with her readers, there are too, a number of sadnesses. These were the clinchers for me. The heartbreaking scene in the little unit, the ending with the white petals... it was raw and honest and in a sorrow-filled, gut-wrenching, soul-crushing way, beautiful. Not beautiful because June had to experience these horrible things, but beautiful because she so honestly and openly shared them with her readers and allowed them to glimpse into her pain with her.
So far, this review reads like one for a 5 star rated book, alas, this isn't the case as there were things that I didn't enjoy. The book could do with a once over by an editor/proof-reader, there were a few weird formatting things I noticed, extra spaces and missing spaces throughout the book, but they were fairly minor, just a little annoying.
The biggest issue I had was with the format the story took, I actually made comments about this with my progress updates. I felt that by jumping from June's childhood/early Australian years, to her time in the Philippines, to the Vietnam war and her involvement there and then finally to the Senate investigation in Washington it caused a jarring effect. I would be just getting into the story about Bake and his kids and the next page would whisk me off to Vietnam when June was an adult and making her way around the various bases.
I personally, would have preferred this book in chronological order, or perhaps in slightly longer chunks at the same place in time. I think it would allow for a smoother transition between the times and also allow for the reader to become more involved with the characters/people of those times before being whisked away.
Ultimately, this was a really interesting read, it's nothing like anything I've read before, but I really enjoyed it. If you are interested in hearing about the Vietnam war, interested in exotic dancing or the entertainment circuit in Asia, or just want an entertaining, somewhat racy read, then this book could be for you.
Some things I noticed:
44% - a double full stop
48% - '...only eighteen year(s) old.'
58% - '...and discerning G I (remove the space between G and I) could see...'
75% - '.Someone (remove full stop) screamed "Fire, Fire"'
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
The different aspects of June Collins' life up to the investigation where she went on record about the corruption within the US military during the Vietnam war, was well documented and added to the emotional and personal feel of this book. I felt as I was reading, that I came to know June a little. I witnessed her past through her eyes, something we seldom get to do, and I could not only understand her anger at these men, but I too shared it with her.
I loved that this book had a lot of Aussie-ness included, June is an Aussie, so there was bound to be some in here. But most of all, I loved that we got to see rural New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne through June's eyes. I've personally been to a number of the places visited in the book and I loved hearing about them in the time that June was there. It was an eye-opener.
The insight into the life of the men who fought and the few women who were also present in the Vietnam war was truly amazing. Some of the situations June found herself in raised the hairs on the back of my neck as I rapidly read through them. Her courage and determination shone throughout the pages of this book.
Along with the great times and experiences June shares with her readers, there are too, a number of sadnesses. These were the clinchers for me. The heartbreaking scene in the little unit, the ending with the white petals... it was raw and honest and in a sorrow-filled, gut-wrenching, soul-crushing way, beautiful. Not beautiful because June had to experience these horrible things, but beautiful because she so honestly and openly shared them with her readers and allowed them to glimpse into her pain with her.
So far, this review reads like one for a 5 star rated book, alas, this isn't the case as there were things that I didn't enjoy. The book could do with a once over by an editor/proof-reader, there were a few weird formatting things I noticed, extra spaces and missing spaces throughout the book, but they were fairly minor, just a little annoying.
The biggest issue I had was with the format the story took, I actually made comments about this with my progress updates. I felt that by jumping from June's childhood/early Australian years, to her time in the Philippines, to the Vietnam war and her involvement there and then finally to the Senate investigation in Washington it caused a jarring effect. I would be just getting into the story about Bake and his kids and the next page would whisk me off to Vietnam when June was an adult and making her way around the various bases.
I personally, would have preferred this book in chronological order, or perhaps in slightly longer chunks at the same place in time. I think it would allow for a smoother transition between the times and also allow for the reader to become more involved with the characters/people of those times before being whisked away.
Ultimately, this was a really interesting read, it's nothing like anything I've read before, but I really enjoyed it. If you are interested in hearing about the Vietnam war, interested in exotic dancing or the entertainment circuit in Asia, or just want an entertaining, somewhat racy read, then this book could be for you.
Some things I noticed:
44% - a double full stop
48% - '...only eighteen year(s) old.'
58% - '...and discerning G I (remove the space between G and I) could see...'
75% - '.Someone (remove full stop) screamed "Fire, Fire"'
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
September 22, 2016
I'm a Vietnam era Navy wife. June's philosophy regarding married men had me chewing nails, but you can't fault this Aussie for loving our American enlisted and non-coms and fighting at the peril of her own life for that of those boys. Born, raised, and married in Australia, little in the way of education, and nothing in the way of sophistication, this young outback woman fled the third catastrophic miscarriage and failing life of a rancher's wife to seek some kind of existence far away from her sheltered past. Using the only tool her family had given her, that of years of dance lessons, she parlayed the most basic of dancing positions into what eventually became an extremely lucrative bar/restaurant of her own in Vietnam during the height of the conflict where she found herself in a position of witnessing first hand one of the worst kick-back situations existing in the U.S. Army club and entertainment industry. The "Khaki Mafia" seemed above the law until June found a way to get a report through to the CID and Senator Ribicoff, who brought her to Washington for a series of hearings, eventually paving the way to new safeguards so the situation could not happen again in any future conflict. Her love and support of our men in the field was amazing; descriptions of the camps had you sweating while swatting mosquitoes, and the appreciative roar of her welcome shows deafening. We know what Bob Hope brought to the men; we've heard stories of Martha Raye. It's too bad June's role in both the entertainment and clean-up of the industry is not common knowledge as well.
February 19, 2013
I've read a lot of Vietnam memoirs but none from the point of view in Goodbye Junie Moon. June Collins takes us on an incredible journey from rural Australia to the Senate floor via the clubs of southeast Asia. It's a very entertaining ride. This story includes adventure and danger but is also heartbreaking at times. Ms. Collins is a very good writer, and I found the book quite easy to follow. It flashes back and forth between Vietnam and earlier stops prior to the war. I liked the style. I also enjoyed the pictures scattered through the book.
Ms. Collins knows how to enjoy life. There's no doubt about that. However, I take issue with an earlier review that complained about sex in this book. There's very little of it, and it's integral to the plot. It not excessive nor overly graphic. This isn't fifty shades of OD green.
This book is well worth reading. It's an important story told by a fascinating woman who lived it. Ms. Collins spent three and a half years in Vietnam entertaining troops. I thank her for her service during the war and after the war during the Senate hearings. I look forward to more work by June Collins.
Ms. Collins knows how to enjoy life. There's no doubt about that. However, I take issue with an earlier review that complained about sex in this book. There's very little of it, and it's integral to the plot. It not excessive nor overly graphic. This isn't fifty shades of OD green.
This book is well worth reading. It's an important story told by a fascinating woman who lived it. Ms. Collins spent three and a half years in Vietnam entertaining troops. I thank her for her service during the war and after the war during the Senate hearings. I look forward to more work by June Collins.
June 17, 2013
This is an amazing book written by an independent-minded Aussie who ended up a dancer/entertainer and exposed corruption involving military clubs during the Vietnam War. These days I take 'bigger than life' memoirs with a large grain of salt--however, this one seems authentic. Ms. Collins addresses the mundanely ugly in her past as well as truly exciting experiences in Asia and war zones. She explains how she came to be who and where she was. When she cannot remember something, she also states that instead of creating a narrative (this only happened once). She's quite the adventurer and her story is well worth reading, both for things that happened and a different perspective of the Vietnam War. Pictures are included which I also found interesting. This all culminates in her escape from Vietnam (not a spoiler as this is at the beginning of the book) to testify before U.S. Congress. I rated this as 4 stars instead of 5 stars because this book seemed to 'just end.' Yes, she testified - mission accomplished, but I would have been interested in the impact of doing that and the results of doing that. Perhaps that's another story.
January 30, 2013
June Collins has written an account of her life as a show girl in Australia, Asia, and Vietnam, and her part in exposing the graft and corruption in the system that was supposed to provide much-needed diversion to soldiers. She does not sugar-coat anything, including her own sexual escapades and foolhardy adventures. Brutally honest and absolutely believable, she expertly leads the reader through her experiences and paints an accurate portrait of her life and times. The tale bounces back and forth between her younger years of poverty and hardship in Australia and her later years in Vietnam. A fascinating and educational story of an incredible woman who survived mind-boggling situations.
Although the book had numerous editing problems, the writing was heartfelt and well-crafted, deserving a full five stars. Hats off to you, Junie Moon.
Although the book had numerous editing problems, the writing was heartfelt and well-crafted, deserving a full five stars. Hats off to you, Junie Moon.
July 7, 2013
This was fascinating memoir about an entertainer turned whistleblower. June Collins has written an interesting and honest account of her life. We read how a conservatively brought up girl becomes a wife, after a series of tragic losses, abandons her marriage to become a dance instructor. She eventually becomes an exotic dancer which leads her to performing in the Philippines and then makes her way to the Vietnam War where she organises entertainment for the troops. It is here that she comes up against the corruption of the mess sergeants that later leads her to testifying against them. The story is not told in a linear fashion, jumping from early times to later times which adds to the interest though I did find it a bit confusing a couple of times while she was writing about Vietnam to work out the sequence.
February 4, 2013
Born and raised in Australia, June Collins flees a bad marriage and the heartbreak of several miscarriages to a life of dance entertainment in war zones. Chapters weave together her young life riddled with disappointments and the years of corruptness in Vietnam. A woman who did what was needed to survive, Collins eventually testified against non-coms and officers who extorted money from performers, agents, and legitimate businesses, hiding billions of dollars in Swiss accounts. Well worth the read, this book is an enlightening but sad education in war history.
August 6, 2013
A story of Vietnam, taking place while I was there. I though the corruption during this war was limited to the locals. Little did I know it was taking place with soldiers of high rank right under our noses. June Collins, while not a model citizen herself, got the goods on them and testified before Congress. I was so very naive.
October 2, 2013
I think I liked this book more than most people would. It kept me up late turning the pages. Random things, luck, courage, determination lead to the most interesting lives. I would recommend it to people interested in biographies of not so ordinary lives, and those who are interested in a different view of the Vietnam war.
January 30, 2014
An interesting read about a woman in Vietnam, who enjoyed live and taking risks. Because of this, she became a whistle blower and appeared before a U.S. Senate committee. The book is full of danger, comical moments, and every day life of an Aussie who served as an entertainer for American troops in Vietnam.
February 8, 2013
An ok read, and interesting to read about the dayto day life in Vietnm. But I found it jumped from one point in time to another with an occassional "I'll come to that later" that left holes and made the story lurch along. Also, the repetitive use of the phrase "it was in the days before..."
January 29, 2013
Kindle.....is AWESOME! Very good book - loved the historical context along with the honesty. June Collins has another book in which I will eagerly read :)
February 19, 2013
I couldn't put it down. Great book. I have a copy I can loan once if anyone is interested.
February 22, 2013
Interesting view of the entertainment industry in Vietnam of the US troops.
August 8, 2013
Great memoir! Loved this book ... so well written and loved the history about the Vietnam War. Those were such difficult and turbulent times for our military servicemen. Highly recommended!
July 31, 2013
Enjoy the story and found it to be very interesting.
September 2, 2013
Interesting perspective on the Vietnam War. I love reading memoirs about strong courageous women.
September 7, 2013
I found this a fascinating account of the Vietnam era and the author's personal involvement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews