General Issue Blues: Viet Nam to Here: A Warrior's Tour

by Sonny Gratzer and George Michael Gratzer

"Sonny Gratzer has lived a full, passionate life, and the generous, heartsprung poems in General Issue Blues reflect his wonder at the going." -Bill Kittredge, noted Montana author, editor, and former Chairman of Creative Writing, University of Montana

"Once a tough kid from Butte, Sonny Gratzer came home from Viet Nam with a chest full of medals and severe war wounds. Readers need to keep a keen eye and ear open for Gratzer...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595443486
• ISBN13: 9780595443482
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 92 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I was stunned to know he could read my mind.

"Having read Sonny Gratzer's General Issue Blues, I was stunned to know he could read my mind. When I read Gratzer's words, I felt as if I had written them. I certainly thought them. I am not a writer. I am, however, a Combat Veteran of Viet Nam and I can feel what Gratzer has written about Viet Nam and he is on target. He should write more about his experiences because he strikes a chord. Fire for effect, Sonny!"

Vivid and haunting

Sonny Gratzer's undeniably powerful poems are reminders that every person is shaped and haunted by something. From his vivid images of the Vietnam War and its after effects on his life, an almost unbearable lonliness emerges. Written from an inner territory of emotional and physical turbulence, his collection of love and war poems depicts a body and soul torn, stitched, torn and mended again while forever visible scars remain.

A great book to make you reflect on love and war

Sonny surprised me. I knew he was a great talker. but his writting surpasses his speech.I now know why there is pain in his eyes. Not all of which is from the physical problems.I am very proud of you and your book.Vi

A hard hitting description of war's impact on a soldier.

Captain Sonny Gratzer, as a commander, was the stereotype of the leader whose men would follow him anywhere. They did too. He was fearless and a leader who sensed needs. He was highly decorated. Severly wounded, "General Issue Blues" recounts his long struggle recouperating and dealing with the myriad feelings and emotions about the war. His poem, "I Remember You" in the book, describes how today he remains the Patriot and leader he was over thirty years ago. To quote from this poem, "To men who gave and gave. Never questioning when I raved Except To wonder if I would stand by you? Yes! I stood with you and Gave at the boonie office too. See I cared then--and I still do."