Okay, it's not a science fiction book, but Joe Haldeman is a science
fiction writer - and recent president of SFWA (Science Fiction Writers
of America), or SFFWA (the extra "F" for "fantasy") as the organization
is now known - and his latest novel, 1968, is well worth checking out.

It's the story of a young draftee, participating in search-and-destroy
missions in Vietnam.  It's also the story of "the girl he left behind,"
who becomes involved in the sociopolitical
conunterculture back home.  Be forewarned, this book is not for the
squeamish.  The horrors are quite graphically depicted.  And they're
not the sort of imaginative horrors you might find in a typical
adventure story, but uncomfortably true to life gruesomeness written
by someone who actually experienced such things.  Joe spent much of
1968 fighting in the central highlands of Vietnam and was wounded while
on a search-and-destroy mission much like the ones he has depicted in
this novel.

Joe has been contacting all of his friends in the sf community, trying
to encourage them to spread the word about this book.  His publisher,
William Morrow & Co., doesn't quite know how to promote it.  Joe is,
after all, a very well known and highly respected sf writer.  But this
book isn't science fiction.  Quite frankly, I don't understand their
confusion.  1968 is one of the most powerful and engrossing books -
by anyone, about anything - that I have read in a good number of years.
And it's definitely a "page-turner."  I read the entire book in two
sittings in less than a day.  

I give 1968 my highest recommendation.

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