Courageous Women of the Vietnam War: Medics, Journalists, Survivors, and More

Gr 9 Up—A variety of women are profiled in this utilitarian entry in the series. Four are Vietnamese representing different political factions, seven are American, and one each is from France, Australia, and New Zealand. The text is then divided chronologically into five parts representing turning points in the conflict, with each section beginning with a narrative history of the time period. The subjects include military nurses, a doctor, a surgeon, journalists, a relief worker, a revolutionary, a schoolgirl sentry, and internationally known folk singer/activist Joan Baez. Their stories graphically present the horrors of war and the difficulties associated with being female in a war zone. The postwar struggles with public castigation of those who served and the emotional and physical consequences of having lived and worked in a battle zone are realistically discussed. The biographies are supplemented with "learn more" boxes and explanatory sidebars define a concept or issue. Black-and-white photographs add context to historical places described throughout.