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VIETNAM War SPEAK: The Distinctive Language of the Vietnam Era Paperback – September 12, 2020

by WILLIAM W STILWAGEN (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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If there ever was a time worthy of its own vernacular, it is the Vietnam Era. A generation split by peace and war spawned a library of lingo, slang, and fresh new words like no era before it. The warriors found that the torch had been passed to them by an assassinated president. It motivated them to bear any burden and to pay any price. And they created a second language to augment what they brought with them. In this book, you will find over 2,500 terms, acronyms, jargon, slang expressions, and various lingo transported to you by Vietnam servicemen who showed remarkable insight into their own generational place in history. These are the words with which they communicated, especially at the enlisted level – they took the brunt of all the horror the war had to give. It is imperative for any serious historian, future descendant, or any interested person to grasp the speech variants of the day and thus put them into proper context for complete understanding. You are likely to find the meaning here. Within these entries comes common lingo, from 1960’s slang to the obscure vernacular that was so important in the daily struggles of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in Vietnam. Included too, are military acronyms, terms, and some downright humorous gems of expressions. Heed the words of Francis George Steiner who declared, “When a language dies, a way of understanding the world dies with it, a way of looking at the world.” Don’t let this warrior language pass from history. Order your copy today.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    110 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 12, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.25 x 11 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1735676306
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1735676302
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harbor Site Books (September 12, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 110 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1735676306
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1735676302
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.25 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars highly reccomend
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
i think Bill Stilwagen did a fantastic job of researching and putting together in one place many of the terms and jargon that we used during the Vietnam conflict. Brought back many memories, good and bad. highly recommend
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Basically got it. Thanks VM vet
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
Well done, no way one could get them all, and some changed over time, we were there around 10 years.0
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Rudy Molina
5.0 out of 5 stars Refresher course on military terminology.
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
To all veterans, if you forgot the terminology used in the military you need to buy this book.
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete glossary of the Vietnam War
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021
Wow, so many years ago! Thanks for all the hard work, brings back many memories … as some have said – some good, some bad – but I appreciate it. I also discovered many terms that I wasn't aware of and do appreciate the education. Funny thing is that many of these terms are still used today. Thank you, Bill Stilwagen for putting this together!

As far as I'm concerned, this is an 'all-encompassing glossary of terms and acronyms used by the military during the Vietnam War. This is a book that all Vietnam Vets need to purchase. I highly recommend it.
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Doc S
5.0 out of 5 stars Going Back
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
Bill Stilwagen gifted me a signed copy of his book and I am indebted to him for this gift. I did not expect very much as every Vietnam war book I have ever read has a glossary of terms and slang and almost all are exactly the same. When I opened 'Vietnam War Speak' I discovered my error. On every page there were single words and phrases that "took me back in time' to when I was a young man in the Land of Bad. There were words/phrases that made me laugh, some made me remember the bad times, but every one was a treat. Thank you numba 1 Bush Guide
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Fellow Vet
5.0 out of 5 stars ...will stir some memories
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020
Much more than just a Glossary, this book is the complete “Dictionary” of the language spoken in-country during the Vietnam War. As with any foreign language, if you no longer speak it , it is soon forgotten; Veterans will get a complete refresher here and I’m sure a couple of the book’s entries will stir some memories.
This book should be a part of every Vietnam Veterans library.
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