The Smell of the Light

by Bill McCloud

Overview

In The Smell of the Light: Vietnam, 1968-1969, Bill McCloud’s poems take the reader chronologically through his personal experience with the Vietnam War. From his decision in the spring of 1967 to join the army, to the present-day determination by the VA that he has a service-connected disability, these poems chart a remarkable journey.

McCloud served on an army airbase during the height of the war. The poetry he uses to describe his experiences is based on more than fifty letters he wrote home to his family. His poems deal with helicopters being shot down, air rescues, rocket attacks, and buddies being wounded in action. But they also address the day to day routine, boredom, hooch maids, bar girls, memorable characters, and the time he met Ann-Margret. It’s a collection unlike any other.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940154614785
Publisher:	Babylon Books
Publication date:	11/03/2017
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	337 KB

About the Author

Bill McCloud has been teaching American history since 1974 and is a three-time Teacher of the Year. His first book, WHAT SHOULD WE TELL OUR CHILDREN ABOUT VIETNAM? (University of Oklahoma Press), was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. All of his Vietnam War papers have been purchased by the main library at Harvard University. Dozens of his Vietnam War poems are part of the official curriculum in both English and American History classes at the University School of Milwaukee, WI, one of the nation's leading private college-preparatory schools. His new book, THE SMELL OF THE LIGHT (Balkan Press), consists of 106 poems that cover, chronologically, his year in Vietnam. He's a 2017 Woody Guthrie Poet and is an adjunct professor of American history at Rogers State University. He lives in Pryor, OK, where a Little League baseball field has been named in his honor.