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Life After America: A memoir about the wild and crazy 1960s
What would you do if your country was on the wrong side of history?
Would you leave if you had the chance—even if leaving might ruin the rest of your life?
In 1967, Joseph Mark Glazner, a twenty-two-year-old American writer, left Los Angeles behind forever and became one of the first war resisters to go to Canada during the extremely divisive Vietnam War.
Life After America is Glazner’s upbeat, personal memoir about his first two years in Canada as an FBI fugitive, new immigrant, tabloid writer, journalist, and John Lennon’s accidental muse.
Glazner, an internationally acclaimed crime novelist, recounts with dark humor and the eye of a thriller writer his nearly bungled escape from the US, the sweetness and pitfalls of love in an era of sexual revolution, and his own youthful quest to make an impact on the world.
Like many new immigrants throughout history, Glazner soon discovered that physically emigrating was easier than emotionally leaving his homeland.
Before leaving the US, Glazner rarely heard news about Canada. Consumed with exiting the US as his personal protest against the war, he thought little about where he was going except that it had to be someplace not at war. Canada was the closest safe haven, but he knew so little about it he thought Montreal was on the Atlantic Ocean somewhere north of Boston. He had no idea what Quebec separatists were.
In Canada, half the news coverage was American. He couldn’t escape its impact. Glazner chronicles his own psychological turmoil as the war continued to escalate, and two men of reason—Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy—were assassinated. He watched with growing despair as Richard Nixon became President on the promise of a secret plan to quickly end the war. (Spoiler there was no secret plan.)
In Canada, Glazner bore witness to the early years of Pierre Trudeau and the growing threat from terrorist bombs to Canada and his own refuge.
Never a formal member of any protest group, Glazner’s quest to think for himself and draw his own conclusions will resonate with many today in a world that is growing increasingly dangerous and polarized.
While resistance and protest against violence are distinctive themes, Glazner’s racy, picaresque, coming-of-age tale is also about a young writer surviving in the big city, falling in love, and hunting for his first big break.
Willing to try almost anything to survive, Glazner hawked celebrity posters, wrote for small film companies, and worked as a futurist in a McLuhanesque think tank. Reinventing himself as a tabloid writer and editor at Montreal’s notorious weekly, Midnight, Glazner reveals how some of the most outrageous stories of the day—from Jackie O’s sex life to UFOs that killed people and sheep—were created during the birth of the supermarket tabloids.
For John Lennon fans, the third act of Glazner’s memoir provides a fresh and unique look at one of the most memorable and zany counterculture events of the 1960s—John and Yoko’s Montreal Bed-In for Peace in 1969.
Originally assigned as a freelance journalist to cover the event for Canada’s newest newspaper, the Sunday Express, Glazner became an aide-de-camp to John Lennon during the world’s longest press conference, and the producer (uncredited) of the segment on war resisters for the Lennons’ documentary Bed Peace.
More importantly, Glazner’s Life After America solves one of the great mysteries of rock and roll lore by revealing for the first time in detail the true and serendipitous origins of John and Yoko’s WAR IS OVER campaign.
For Americans, Life After America is a reminder of a time when the US lost its way and came close to surrendering its moral leadership of the free world.
For Canadian readers, Glazner’s memoir is a story about a younger, more open and optimistic Canada living in the shadow of America.
Would you leave if you had the chance—even if leaving might ruin the rest of your life?
In 1967, Joseph Mark Glazner, a twenty-two-year-old American writer, left Los Angeles behind forever and became one of the first war resisters to go to Canada during the extremely divisive Vietnam War.
Life After America is Glazner’s upbeat, personal memoir about his first two years in Canada as an FBI fugitive, new immigrant, tabloid writer, journalist, and John Lennon’s accidental muse.
Glazner, an internationally acclaimed crime novelist, recounts with dark humor and the eye of a thriller writer his nearly bungled escape from the US, the sweetness and pitfalls of love in an era of sexual revolution, and his own youthful quest to make an impact on the world.
Like many new immigrants throughout history, Glazner soon discovered that physically emigrating was easier than emotionally leaving his homeland.
Before leaving the US, Glazner rarely heard news about Canada. Consumed with exiting the US as his personal protest against the war, he thought little about where he was going except that it had to be someplace not at war. Canada was the closest safe haven, but he knew so little about it he thought Montreal was on the Atlantic Ocean somewhere north of Boston. He had no idea what Quebec separatists were.
In Canada, half the news coverage was American. He couldn’t escape its impact. Glazner chronicles his own psychological turmoil as the war continued to escalate, and two men of reason—Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy—were assassinated. He watched with growing despair as Richard Nixon became President on the promise of a secret plan to quickly end the war. (Spoiler there was no secret plan.)
In Canada, Glazner bore witness to the early years of Pierre Trudeau and the growing threat from terrorist bombs to Canada and his own refuge.
Never a formal member of any protest group, Glazner’s quest to think for himself and draw his own conclusions will resonate with many today in a world that is growing increasingly dangerous and polarized.
While resistance and protest against violence are distinctive themes, Glazner’s racy, picaresque, coming-of-age tale is also about a young writer surviving in the big city, falling in love, and hunting for his first big break.
Willing to try almost anything to survive, Glazner hawked celebrity posters, wrote for small film companies, and worked as a futurist in a McLuhanesque think tank. Reinventing himself as a tabloid writer and editor at Montreal’s notorious weekly, Midnight, Glazner reveals how some of the most outrageous stories of the day—from Jackie O’s sex life to UFOs that killed people and sheep—were created during the birth of the supermarket tabloids.
For John Lennon fans, the third act of Glazner’s memoir provides a fresh and unique look at one of the most memorable and zany counterculture events of the 1960s—John and Yoko’s Montreal Bed-In for Peace in 1969.
Originally assigned as a freelance journalist to cover the event for Canada’s newest newspaper, the Sunday Express, Glazner became an aide-de-camp to John Lennon during the world’s longest press conference, and the producer (uncredited) of the segment on war resisters for the Lennons’ documentary Bed Peace.
More importantly, Glazner’s Life After America solves one of the great mysteries of rock and roll lore by revealing for the first time in detail the true and serendipitous origins of John and Yoko’s WAR IS OVER campaign.
For Americans, Life After America is a reminder of a time when the US lost its way and came close to surrendering its moral leadership of the free world.
For Canadian readers, Glazner’s memoir is a story about a younger, more open and optimistic Canada living in the shadow of America.
- GenresMemoir
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2017
51 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Mark Glazner
12 books7 followersJoseph Mark Glazner is also the author of five crime novels written under his own name, including Smart Money Doesn’t Sing or Dance, and two crime novels under his pen name Joseph Louis, including the Shamus and Arthur Ellis nominated Madelaine.
He is also a co-writer of the cult science fiction feature film The Shape of Things to Come. His by-lined and ghost-written articles have appeared in such diverse newspapers and periodicals as Executive, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Sunday Express (Montreal), Omni, Cavalier, The Five Cent Review, and Midnight.
Glazner had also run a think tank and provided communications advice to governments and corporations in Canada, United States, and the Bahamas.
Glazner grew up in rural Warrenville, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Southern California (psychology, magna cum laude) and an elected member of Phi Beta Kappa. He and his partner Joanie Shirriff live in Toronto, Canada.
He is also a co-writer of the cult science fiction feature film The Shape of Things to Come. His by-lined and ghost-written articles have appeared in such diverse newspapers and periodicals as Executive, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Sunday Express (Montreal), Omni, Cavalier, The Five Cent Review, and Midnight.
Glazner had also run a think tank and provided communications advice to governments and corporations in Canada, United States, and the Bahamas.
Glazner grew up in rural Warrenville, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Southern California (psychology, magna cum laude) and an elected member of Phi Beta Kappa. He and his partner Joanie Shirriff live in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 26, 2018
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
This memoir will appeal to many readers, particularly if you lived through the ’sixties, or have an interest in anti-war movements, US/Canadian politics, journalism or the Beatles.
In Life After America Joseph Mark Glazner gives a very personal memoir of his time in Canada avoiding the US Draft for the Vietnam War. He includes every argument for and against his flight to Canada and I sense from his writing that he is still not totally comfortable with his action.
In the event, his flight to Canada was not exactly the most daring thing that a person has ever done. Glazner was well educated, from a middle class family and with sufficient savings to cover his living costs for several months, pending his work permit. Contrast this with the millions of people across the world who are currently taking far greater risks to escape oppression and war or to simply make a better life for themselves and their families. Can his hour long flight from New York to Montreal really compare with trusting meagre life savings to smugglers, crossing the Mediterranean in an inflatable boat or avoiding landmines on the Myanmar/Bangladesh border?
And when he arrived the Canadian authorities allowed him to stay with little inconvenience, he was not forced to live and work without papers.
Of course, there was always the risk that Canada would give in to US pressure to return draft-dodgers and he could not go home as he risked imprisonment. Interestingly at one stage the FBI did tell him that provided he came home and enlisted he would not be prosecuted.
Glazner arrived in Montreal with just one remote contact who offered some floors pace to sleep on and it was impressive how he built up a network of contacts to create a budding career in journalism. I was interested to learn that he made Canada his home and still lives there.
He also provides good backgrounds to the US politics of the time, the build-up and tactics of the Vietnam War, and the Kennedys. In Canada he describes the French speaking separatism movements, the ascension of the Liberal Pierre Trudeau as well as the music and literature of the time.
Glazner writes in a factual but very easy to read first person style and up to a point the book is interesting without being mind-blowing. Then we get to the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Bed-In section when for me the whole book came alive.
My Kindle version had numerous links to a substantial Notes section at the end of the book where Glazner provides lengthy explanations of contemporary people and events. He also gives references to film and video evidence of his activities with John and Yoko.
The first 60% of this book rates no more than three stars but with such a great finish it has to be an overall four and half star review.
This memoir will appeal to many readers, particularly if you lived through the ’sixties, or have an interest in anti-war movements, US/Canadian politics, journalism or the Beatles.
In Life After America Joseph Mark Glazner gives a very personal memoir of his time in Canada avoiding the US Draft for the Vietnam War. He includes every argument for and against his flight to Canada and I sense from his writing that he is still not totally comfortable with his action.
In the event, his flight to Canada was not exactly the most daring thing that a person has ever done. Glazner was well educated, from a middle class family and with sufficient savings to cover his living costs for several months, pending his work permit. Contrast this with the millions of people across the world who are currently taking far greater risks to escape oppression and war or to simply make a better life for themselves and their families. Can his hour long flight from New York to Montreal really compare with trusting meagre life savings to smugglers, crossing the Mediterranean in an inflatable boat or avoiding landmines on the Myanmar/Bangladesh border?
And when he arrived the Canadian authorities allowed him to stay with little inconvenience, he was not forced to live and work without papers.
Of course, there was always the risk that Canada would give in to US pressure to return draft-dodgers and he could not go home as he risked imprisonment. Interestingly at one stage the FBI did tell him that provided he came home and enlisted he would not be prosecuted.
Glazner arrived in Montreal with just one remote contact who offered some floors pace to sleep on and it was impressive how he built up a network of contacts to create a budding career in journalism. I was interested to learn that he made Canada his home and still lives there.
He also provides good backgrounds to the US politics of the time, the build-up and tactics of the Vietnam War, and the Kennedys. In Canada he describes the French speaking separatism movements, the ascension of the Liberal Pierre Trudeau as well as the music and literature of the time.
Glazner writes in a factual but very easy to read first person style and up to a point the book is interesting without being mind-blowing. Then we get to the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Bed-In section when for me the whole book came alive.
My Kindle version had numerous links to a substantial Notes section at the end of the book where Glazner provides lengthy explanations of contemporary people and events. He also gives references to film and video evidence of his activities with John and Yoko.
The first 60% of this book rates no more than three stars but with such a great finish it has to be an overall four and half star review.
March 1, 2018
An inspirational memoir about the wild and crazy 1960s and how a peace-loving, creative 22-year-old southern California man, believes his country is on the wrong side of history when it sends troops to Vietnam. As the unjust war escalates, he hears about young men being drafted to serve in the killing fields and realizes he must make a personal decision to leave his country behind and cross the border into Canada. When he arrives in Montreal, it's freezing cold, he doesn't know French, doesn't have a job, and wonders how he will survive away from friends and family.
While the FBI looks for him, he searches and finds his mission in life as a talented writer and pacifist. After many temporary jobs and failed relationships, he meets John Lennon and Yoko Ono in an unabashed record-promoting publicity stunt and helps craft the "War Is Over" campaign.
I came of age during the turbulent Vietnam War era and like the author believed it to be a senseless war. As a female, I didn't have to make the difficult choice of leaving my country behind.
As a reader, I hope the author writes more about his later life adventures.
While the FBI looks for him, he searches and finds his mission in life as a talented writer and pacifist. After many temporary jobs and failed relationships, he meets John Lennon and Yoko Ono in an unabashed record-promoting publicity stunt and helps craft the "War Is Over" campaign.
I came of age during the turbulent Vietnam War era and like the author believed it to be a senseless war. As a female, I didn't have to make the difficult choice of leaving my country behind.
As a reader, I hope the author writes more about his later life adventures.
January 21, 2018
This is not an easy review for me to write. In part, because this memoir was so damn good I don’t know how to begin. Where and what do you point out in such a well-written, extremely captivating, highly engaging, and touching memoir first?
The other part of my struggle to review this memoir is the way I was able to empathize with him as a writer. Through Joseph Mark Glazner’s crushed and then optimistic spirit, the nuggets of wisdom and experience he drops through the memoir resonate with me still.
For me, that was a ball of bonus emotion on top of the interesting story and characters he lays out on the pages. There wasn’t a part I skipped over. There wasn’t a single chapter I found boring. All of it was riveting.
Don’t stop reading when you get to his Acknowledgement because the Notes section of the book is equally as fascinating as the story before it.
The other part of my struggle to review this memoir is the way I was able to empathize with him as a writer. Through Joseph Mark Glazner’s crushed and then optimistic spirit, the nuggets of wisdom and experience he drops through the memoir resonate with me still.
For me, that was a ball of bonus emotion on top of the interesting story and characters he lays out on the pages. There wasn’t a part I skipped over. There wasn’t a single chapter I found boring. All of it was riveting.
Don’t stop reading when you get to his Acknowledgement because the Notes section of the book is equally as fascinating as the story before it.
October 15, 2018
A very interesting book! It helps that I know the neighbourhoods of Montreal so I can perhaps better relate. I also know Joseph but had known almost nothing about this phase of his life.
February 13, 2018
5 Stars: The Ballad of Joseph & Vietnam
There are memoirs that very important to understanding the past where you can get lost in the experience by placing yourself in their shoes. Turning the pages ( Kindle should have sound effects) and romanticizing a writer's journey which you can't get from history books that lack personal stories or a witty sense of humor. There are the famous people that we can read about, but I am one for the ordinary person with an extraordinary journey, I want to know them and chat for hours on end. The gift they carry is insight about a time you didn't exist, and by the time you learn about in school it has become water down and nostalgic without the pain, suffering, and recklessness for you to appreciate.
As time passes by the voices disappear, the voices of WW2 survivors pretty much gone they are needed as some countries today flirt with nationalism and fascism. And now the voices of the Vietnam war true resisters and survivors are seldom heard or held up as a warning for foolish warmongering; we need them, we need them now! Life After America: A memoir about the wild and crazy 1960s by Joseph Mark Glazner is not a downbeat memoir, but an experience of one of America's first "Vietnam War Resisters" to cross that border and not be on the "wrong side of history." Joseph writes of risking freedom by crossing into Canada just at the age of 22 leaving the California sun for the cold from being a citizen to becoming an immigrant. Leaving a divisive America to entering a divisive Montreal during the Quebec separatists movement, a steadfast Joseph endures a writer's life of odd jobs, writing tabloids, connecting with artsy wannabe filmmakers, being up in romantic relationships and being heartbroken but never coming off bitter or entitled. Leaving everything behind including an ailing father, a mother who believes in the "goodness of Dick Nixon," friends, and the lack of freedom to not choose war without repercussions of going to jail and being forced to serve on the frontlines. As the FBI and American justice system are looking for him, he discovers a purpose, a talent for writing; his survival depends if he is witty enough to remain grounded. I would have wanted this life no matter the cost of losing my "freedom."
Joseph Mark Glazner writes something I envy, being able to be around at the beginning and in the same room with John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their "In Bed" peace movement. Tidbits of John and Yoko took me back as a child remembering the night I watched on TV the announcement that John Lennon was murdered; I cried along with my uncle as we played John Lennon's music. Being able to know more about John and Yoko touched me as I thought a writer's life that's what I want.
There are memoirs that very important to understanding the past where you can get lost in the experience by placing yourself in their shoes. Turning the pages ( Kindle should have sound effects) and romanticizing a writer's journey which you can't get from history books that lack personal stories or a witty sense of humor. There are the famous people that we can read about, but I am one for the ordinary person with an extraordinary journey, I want to know them and chat for hours on end. The gift they carry is insight about a time you didn't exist, and by the time you learn about in school it has become water down and nostalgic without the pain, suffering, and recklessness for you to appreciate.
As time passes by the voices disappear, the voices of WW2 survivors pretty much gone they are needed as some countries today flirt with nationalism and fascism. And now the voices of the Vietnam war true resisters and survivors are seldom heard or held up as a warning for foolish warmongering; we need them, we need them now! Life After America: A memoir about the wild and crazy 1960s by Joseph Mark Glazner is not a downbeat memoir, but an experience of one of America's first "Vietnam War Resisters" to cross that border and not be on the "wrong side of history." Joseph writes of risking freedom by crossing into Canada just at the age of 22 leaving the California sun for the cold from being a citizen to becoming an immigrant. Leaving a divisive America to entering a divisive Montreal during the Quebec separatists movement, a steadfast Joseph endures a writer's life of odd jobs, writing tabloids, connecting with artsy wannabe filmmakers, being up in romantic relationships and being heartbroken but never coming off bitter or entitled. Leaving everything behind including an ailing father, a mother who believes in the "goodness of Dick Nixon," friends, and the lack of freedom to not choose war without repercussions of going to jail and being forced to serve on the frontlines. As the FBI and American justice system are looking for him, he discovers a purpose, a talent for writing; his survival depends if he is witty enough to remain grounded. I would have wanted this life no matter the cost of losing my "freedom."
Joseph Mark Glazner writes something I envy, being able to be around at the beginning and in the same room with John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their "In Bed" peace movement. Tidbits of John and Yoko took me back as a child remembering the night I watched on TV the announcement that John Lennon was murdered; I cried along with my uncle as we played John Lennon's music. Being able to know more about John and Yoko touched me as I thought a writer's life that's what I want.
March 11, 2018
Brings a time to life
This memoir brings a time to life that I remember quite well. I was a child but my brother was 9 years older so was in the thick of it. With humor and historical perspective the author brings to life a time in his own life that I’m sure was frightening, confusing and exciting. His own feelings mirror that of many people in the U.S. in that period. Mr. Glazner was on the ground with many celebrities of the time but the book does not become a name dropping list. It remains an intimate look at one young man’s experience in a tumultuous world. It is written well and a quick read, you want to know what happens next.
This memoir brings a time to life that I remember quite well. I was a child but my brother was 9 years older so was in the thick of it. With humor and historical perspective the author brings to life a time in his own life that I’m sure was frightening, confusing and exciting. His own feelings mirror that of many people in the U.S. in that period. Mr. Glazner was on the ground with many celebrities of the time but the book does not become a name dropping list. It remains an intimate look at one young man’s experience in a tumultuous world. It is written well and a quick read, you want to know what happens next.
March 9, 2018
This is a compelling memoir told in a style that will keep you entertained and flipping pages to find out what happened next. Knowing he could be drafted at any time, Joseph Mark Glazner leaves for Canada and starts a new life, jumping through the hurdles that entails. Along the way, he meets some interesting people who help shape his life, his writing, and his goals for helping to end the war in Vietnam.
The writing is authentic, driven, with a lot of suspense, and filled with passion for non-violence. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back through the 1960s.
The writing is authentic, driven, with a lot of suspense, and filled with passion for non-violence. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back through the 1960s.
February 6, 2018
I lived through the Vietnam Nam War era but I never knew the effect on the men left here. Now I know. I just finished reading a memoir by a man who left his country to voice his anger against our country's involvement in the war. Joseph Mark Glazner book, Life After America opened my mind.
Mr. Glazner writes about his journey to Canada...a country he didn’t know. He felt that leaving for Canada was the best option for him.
When Joseph arrived in Montreal he didn’t know any French, didn’t have a job and wasn’t sure how he would make it away from family, friends and county.
He soon found writing jobs and even covered “The Bed-In” that John and Yoko staged. The book is informative, funny and sad about a man who reinvented himself. Read this book and pass it on to others who may not know how this war and any war can affect the brave men and women who serve.
Mr. Glazner writes about his journey to Canada...a country he didn’t know. He felt that leaving for Canada was the best option for him.
When Joseph arrived in Montreal he didn’t know any French, didn’t have a job and wasn’t sure how he would make it away from family, friends and county.
He soon found writing jobs and even covered “The Bed-In” that John and Yoko staged. The book is informative, funny and sad about a man who reinvented himself. Read this book and pass it on to others who may not know how this war and any war can affect the brave men and women who serve.
November 13, 2017
It is a part of history that we lived. Bittersweet
And well portrayed. Glazner writes well and depicts the personal side of his protest. It is well worth visiting his story which especially interesting in view of the recent release of Ken Burns' Viet Nam series and the critics complaint that it is too anti war. Really.
And well portrayed. Glazner writes well and depicts the personal side of his protest. It is well worth visiting his story which especially interesting in view of the recent release of Ken Burns' Viet Nam series and the critics complaint that it is too anti war. Really.
October 8, 2017
Eye-Opening, Accurate and Fun to Read!
Took me back in time and filled in a lot of gaps in my understanding about what was going on in the world while I was following my bliss as a flower child!
Took me back in time and filled in a lot of gaps in my understanding about what was going on in the world while I was following my bliss as a flower child!
July 22, 2022
1967, when he starts this adventure of running to Canada to dodge the draft, was the year I ran away from home in Chicago to New Orleans. The comparison is impossible, of course, I was a fifteen-year-old trying to pass as an adult, & he was already doing quite well with social connections to a few celebrities who would prove helpful to his starting a new life in Canada. By coincidence I'd considered heading to Montreal myself that year, as well as Frisco for the summer of LOVE, but feared that I'd have trouble slipping across the frontier into new territory. Things fell into place for our hero, Joseph, he almost instantly met a girl who fell in love with him, so, despite a few inconveniences, like adjusting to the cold weather, he did very well. It's interesting to read about the government changing requirements to allow draft dodgers and even deserters to assimilate, get work permits and eventually citizenship. Through his connections he even came to know Pierre Trudeau, and employment, even if it didn't pay off at first.
The climax, of course, is the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Bed-In where he became a valued insider. That story is a worthwhile look at the attempt of John & Yoko to market Peace like soap. Check it out!
The climax, of course, is the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Bed-In where he became a valued insider. That story is a worthwhile look at the attempt of John & Yoko to market Peace like soap. Check it out!
April 28, 2020
Across the Universe is one of my favorite movies— it’s set in the 60s with the Vietnam War (mainly the anti-war movement) as a central theme. That movie really brought that time period to life for me, so I was interested to read a firsthand account of a (real-life, not-fictional) war resister who fled the US for Canada to avoid the draft. This memoir was a bit slow at times, but it was all necessary to set up how the author ends up where he ends up, in the midst of a historic publicity stunt for peace involving John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I was intrigued by all the seemingly random connections that led to him being in the room with them and having an actual impact on that campaign. Great glimpse into the thoughts and feelings permeating the culture and the youth in the late 1960s.
July 10, 2020
A Snapshot of the Sixties
This book is a snapshot from the sixties during the anti-war movement. It chronicles the author’s quest to escape the draft during the Vietnam War by immigrating to Canada. Once he gets there, he immerses himself in the counter culture and meets many fascinating characters. His work as an aspiring writer eventually lands him in the company of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their “bed in” in Montreal in 1969. There are many parallels from the rebellion of that time to our own which makes this an absorbing read. It is carefully footnoted providing lots of historical facts from the era that make it an important archive as well. I enjoyed reading it.
This book is a snapshot from the sixties during the anti-war movement. It chronicles the author’s quest to escape the draft during the Vietnam War by immigrating to Canada. Once he gets there, he immerses himself in the counter culture and meets many fascinating characters. His work as an aspiring writer eventually lands him in the company of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their “bed in” in Montreal in 1969. There are many parallels from the rebellion of that time to our own which makes this an absorbing read. It is carefully footnoted providing lots of historical facts from the era that make it an important archive as well. I enjoyed reading it.
July 6, 2020
a walk down memory lane
for someone who was twenty-three in 1969,Glazner's memoir turns out to be an eye-opener, and a dusting-off of the days we lived on different sides of the border. I was never an activist, but I stuck it out at I C L A and graduated with a B A in 1969. I then felt free to begin my own sexual revolution! I always wondered how life went for my compatriots who went to Canada, which I was prepared to counsel my younger brother to do if his number was called up. It never came to that.
for someone who was twenty-three in 1969,Glazner's memoir turns out to be an eye-opener, and a dusting-off of the days we lived on different sides of the border. I was never an activist, but I stuck it out at I C L A and graduated with a B A in 1969. I then felt free to begin my own sexual revolution! I always wondered how life went for my compatriots who went to Canada, which I was prepared to counsel my younger brother to do if his number was called up. It never came to that.
July 9, 2021
For Americans of a certain age, this book is an excellent read. My lottery number was higher than the writer's, and I avoided the draft without having to make the difficult decision(s) he did. All and all, he had an interesting (if challenging) time in Canada. It's strange that moving up to Canada is something that Americans are talking about again. Strange life.
April 9, 2019
Interesting Read
It was interesting to me because I lived through those times and often wondered about the men who went to Canada. However, I found the writing a bit disjointed plus the was weak as it just stopped! No afterword.
It was interesting to me because I lived through those times and often wondered about the men who went to Canada. However, I found the writing a bit disjointed plus the was weak as it just stopped! No afterword.
November 23, 2020
Fascinating account
Glazner has penned a fascinating tale of his time in Montreal as a draft resister during the late 60s. The cast of characters ate bigger than life and the atmosphere is adventurous and dangerous. A great book of that crazy period in our history.
Glazner has penned a fascinating tale of his time in Montreal as a draft resister during the late 60s. The cast of characters ate bigger than life and the atmosphere is adventurous and dangerous. A great book of that crazy period in our history.
January 16, 2022
A look at Joseph Mark Glazner's life as he protests the Vietnam War by moving to Canada. A well written bio of Glazner who becomes a writer/ editor for the weekly news paper the midnight. He also tells of his remarkable time with John Lennon and Yoko at the Montreal Bed-In.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews