The American War

The American War, the name given by the Vietnamese to our conflict in Southeast Asia during the 1960s, is the story of Franz Linsdorff, son of an anti-Nazi ex-Wehrmacht battlefield physician who emigrated to America with his family after World War II. Although having serious misgivings about America's participation in the conflict, Franz enlists in the army and serves heroically as a combat medic. In addition to bloody battle descriptions, the novel depicts the turmoil at home: the protest movement as well as the sufferings of the returning veterans. Intertwined with the historical events is the love story of Franz and Delia Rini, a flower child of the 60s. The personal trials, sacrifices and triumphs of individuals who fought in and against the war permeate the work, with particular attention given to the philosophical and moral issues involved.