Rock N Roll Soldier, Dean Kohler
Dean Kohler was just about to sign a recording contract when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965.
He was a guitarist, singer and practically engaged to his high school sweetheart. Before he could locate Vietnam on a map, he had finished basic training and landed in Vietnam.He might have been trained to fire a gun or toss a hand grenade, but he was nineteen years old and didn't understand what the war was about or why he was asked to possibly forfeit his future or even his life. He had no understanding of the people he would find in Vietnam or what their feelings about the war were.
At this time, the military seemed to do little to prepare soldiers for what they would encounter. (My brother-in-law was sent to Vietnam at about this time and was similarly uninformed). Within a few years, most draftees knew considerably more about the conflict than these earlier recruits did. The war and its pros and cons became a daily dialog in this country very quickly.
It is eventually Kohler's music that allows him to escape the horror of the war and the daily fears of serving as an M. P. in difficult, often horrific, situations. With encouragement from his commanding officer, he recruited other musicians, sent home for equipment like microphones and instruments and eventually got a band together. They toured bases across the country, trying to bring some music into the lives of homesick, scared servicemen. The camaraderie the venture brought him and the music he got to play got him through his year in Vietnam. His return home is also detailed briefly.
Rock'N'Roll Soldier is a memoir intended for teenagers. There are some sexual situations and typical soldier language but it is handled fairly discreetly.
Kohler continued his involvement in the musical business for many years.
Disclosure notice: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher (or his agent) at no charge to me. The publisher (or his agent) neither stipulated nor received from me any promise that the book would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.
You can find more books on Barrie's site.
14 comments:
I am going to be on the lookout for this one. I always enjoy reading how music can bring a person through the most dire of circumstances.
Wonderful disclosure notice, Patti!
I appreciated the personal connection in your review. It's an interesting topic for YA. The music angle sounds like a good one.
Thanks for the review, Patti. And I fixed the link on my page. :)
You really don't need to do the disclosure notes...except as political protest!
wv: tedions
Better safe than sorry says a sixties girl.
sounds like a good read. I bet lot's of men could identify with this young man. If you want to read my review of the Blue Star by Tony Earley it’s here.
Cool! I love stories about musicians and what an interesting tie-in to your personal life and the military.
Interesting premise. Sounds good.. :) Thanks for the review.
Sounds like a an interesting book, Patti. That was such a turbulent time. I remember it well.
Turbulent times, indeed.
Amazing, the US control of bloggers - I am not sure how they can monitor you. I guess it is good policy to disclose. Ah, me.
Big brother is watching!
I agree, very good disclosure!
This book sounds intriguing, and I can see it appealing to teens and adults alike.
Great review!
Thanks for the great review, Patti. You really nailed it – those kids had no idea what they were in for over there. Thank goodness Dean had his music to get a bunch of them through it. A tough but very gratifying book to write.
Very pertinent book, I think, with Afghanistan so much in the news these days. My brother is stationed there, and one of his soldiers died recently. He, too, was a musican -- and had written a symphony in his off-duty time.
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