War Stories

About the Book

The exotic Asian capital of Bangkok serves as the steamy setting for a series of mesmerizing stories about six young American GIs stationed in Thailand during the early 1960s. This unique short-story novel whisks readers through a revolving door back to the neon-lit world of this Oriental capital--just as the powder keg in Vietnam is about to blow up in America´s face. Beneath these tales of mindless dissolution are stark reminders of a far more serious conflict simmering in nearby Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Cruise Bangkok´s bars and brothels with these young soldiers who are only occasionally aware a brutal war capable of diluting America´s military might is close at hand.

Sound too serious? Meet the lovable blowhard Rossi, whose prowess among Bangkok´s prostitutes has produced a medical file of prodigious proportions. Shake hands with Lohman, the unintentionally comic soldier from west Texas, who paints dialect on words like a thick coat of barbecue sauce--whooeee! Say howdy to Montgomery, the self-assured sergeant from the high country of northwestern Montana, an unlikely cheerleader for America´s involvement in Southeast Asia. Welcome the unworldly wise Halliday, whose churchly upbringing fails to prepare him for the gratuitous violence and amorous encounters that await him. Make the acquaintance of Horseface, whose looks both attract and repel men. Find out why she´s a popular fixture at the raucous Oasis Nightclub; say hello to the Starlight Club´s highly sought-after sex goddess Samai. Fall in love with the enchanting Toi Yin, a beautiful Thai university student who captures Halliday´s heart. Begrudgingly tip your hat in the direction of Toad, the fascinating, repugnant and self-centered company clerk who exploits and manipulates people to achieve his ends--with disastrous results. Finally, join Corporal Greene, the Pride of Rolla, Missouri, and take a "Trip Around the World." Don´t bother to pack a suitcase because you´re going no further than his bedroom.

Woven into these modern fables of good and evil is one GI´s quest to save tiny nations caught up in a bloody tug of war between superpowers, while his best friend is searching for spiritual and emotional order. Distracted at first by the temptations he encounters, Halliday unwittingly finds his way when he falls in love with the beautiful young student he´s tutoring--or is she the teacher? Ambiguity and uncertainty pervade these stark, sometimes humorous tales of innocence and evil, casual sex, greed, and violence--culminating in a touching love story that restores a sense of balance to this chaotic world.

War">http://www.uslink.net/~cruzer/War-Stories-main.htm">War Stories website

About the Author

Craig Forman is a University of Minnesota alumnus, former soldier, teacher, journalist, science writer, free-lance editor who is currently a public affairs director and perennially a late-bloomer. He resides in Westminster, Colorado, is father to four Wunderkinder, a devoted outdoorsman, mountain biker, Rollerblader, avid downhill skier, jazz aficionado and born-again author.