“At every meal, Vietnam sat down to dinner with our families.”
--Tom Bissell, “War Wounds”
A son comes to terms with his father’s war, in a moving post-Vietnam memoir.
Books by Tom Bissell available for purchase at Amazon.com
A single powerful tale makes up this program—Tom Bissell’s memoir of growing up with a Vietnam vet, and his attempt to find closure, for both himself and his father, by returning with him to Vietnam. “War Wounds” was originally published in Harper’s magazine, and forms the basis for his forthcoming book, The Father of all Things due out in 2007. Bissell, a former Peace Corps volunteer, has provided war correspondence and travel writing from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and is also the author of the short story collection, God Lives in St. Petersburg. “War Wounds” was given a beautiful, restrained reading by Oskar Eustis, the artistic director of The Public Theater in New York. He describes Vietnam as a “wound” that America has never really recovered from, but sees hope in Bissell’s journey to understanding with a man he loves powerfully, but whose experiences are beyond his imagination. Comments from both Bissell and Eustis are included as part of this program.
“War Wounds,” by Tom Bissell, read by Oskar Eustis.
For more information about publishers and titles, please visit Symphony Space
--Tom Bissell, “War Wounds”
A son comes to terms with his father’s war, in a moving post-Vietnam memoir.
Books by Tom Bissell available for purchase at Amazon.com
A single powerful tale makes up this program—Tom Bissell’s memoir of growing up with a Vietnam vet, and his attempt to find closure, for both himself and his father, by returning with him to Vietnam. “War Wounds” was originally published in Harper’s magazine, and forms the basis for his forthcoming book, The Father of all Things due out in 2007. Bissell, a former Peace Corps volunteer, has provided war correspondence and travel writing from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and is also the author of the short story collection, God Lives in St. Petersburg. “War Wounds” was given a beautiful, restrained reading by Oskar Eustis, the artistic director of The Public Theater in New York. He describes Vietnam as a “wound” that America has never really recovered from, but sees hope in Bissell’s journey to understanding with a man he loves powerfully, but whose experiences are beyond his imagination. Comments from both Bissell and Eustis are included as part of this program.
“War Wounds,” by Tom Bissell, read by Oskar Eustis.
For more information about publishers and titles, please visit Symphony Space
Comments [1]
I heard a probably a part of the story on PBS as I was driving today. I enjoyed what I heard and plan to pursue the book. I especially enjoyed your likening to your parents and the traits you attributed to them. Also, your relationship to your father and not wanting him to leave. Great job!
Dear Carol:
Thank you for your kind comments. You were actually listening to a station that is part of the Public Radio International network (PRI), rather than PBS, which is public television. In any event, we are glad you liked the Tom Bissell memoir. SHORTS tours Montana each year, so we'll let you know when the program might be coming your way.
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