Running with the Hounds

By David Wingfield

Book Overview

Running with the Hounds offers the reader a window into the lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. David Wingfield's story is both unique and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0615272797
• ISBN13: 9780615272795
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: David R Wingfield
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Healing is a lifelong process for combat veterans

To say that this is a book about war is to miss the rich underlying themes that sing sensually throughout the unconscious fabric that makes up the substrate of this story. It is a moving episodic account of the trauma of combat accompanied by the personal healing that can take place. The process of healing can take many forms. It is intimate and painful to approach or even want to be healed. The timeliness of the story presented here can provide hope and help for our returning veterans, not as an instructive how-to book, but as a quiet meditative guide through the self-destructive ravages of the pain, guilt, and anxiety that besets combat veterans attempting to live life again. Charles Gillies moves us with the events of one man's experience as he regains his presence and moves forward to establish his being on his home turf. It is the journey of healing that moves through the images and events of this wonderful, rhythmic and melodic piece of work. Don't miss it.

A Must Read if You Know Anyone who has Endured the Front Lines of War

It is Memorial Day as I write this, and although it is the perfect weekend to read this book, any time would be a good time. I just got "Running with the Hounds" yesterday and read it in one sitting, though that hadn't been my intention, as it was past midnight before I finished. Although I was tired and knew I had a big day today, I couldn't stop reading. The book is that engrossing. My son is a wounded warrior from the Iraq war. Though he did suffer physical injury, the enduring trauma has been mental. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a sad, frustrating and potentially dangerous disease when it's not managed. I love that David Wingfield presents PTSD from a warrior's perspective without even giving it a name. Those of us with loved ones who have it will recognize his struggle. I see this book as the perfect way to enlighten people who don't understand the actions and attitudes of people who have endured the front lines of war. There is a reason they are the way they are. Good reason. And when you understand that, you have more compassion, tolerance and patience. You realize that they will carry the horror of the war with them forever, whether they want to or not. Wingfield's wife obviously understands this. Although she isn't mentioned much (since it's mostly about his story of the war and later adventures in the backcountry of Oregon avoiding humanity), I was struck by her attitude. It looks like she well appreciates that her husband has a very unwieldy load that she can't help carry, but she can at least knowingly brush off when some of that load inevitably splashes on her. I took that as a good lesson for myself. So if there is a spouse or sibling or parent or friend who needs more understanding about living with PTSD, I think giving him or her this book is a great idea. It's not at all clinical. It's certainly not dry or boring. It is, in fact, a well-written, stirring story, and it will open your heart to what these guys have suffered and lost. So I won't be saying "Happy Memorial Day" to anyone today, since it seems so inappropriate after reading this book. Then again, all the veterans in all the wars fought so that the rest of can smile and be happy. God bless them for all their sacrifices and all their victories. And God bless David Wingfield for writing this book, which is bound to bring understanding and comfort to many warriors and their loved ones. He's managed to turn personal survival into a great victory for countless others even decades after the war ended. I hope he's proud.

Simple, but beautiful

There is no flowing oratory. We do not see a man lamenting the circumstances of his life, or seeking pity for his experiences durning the war in Vietnam, but we do see the hidden part of that experience. That thing which almost all Vietnam verterans keep hidden within themselves. For too long, too many that shared that experience, to whatever degree, felt forced to hide beyond reach of their fellow man the sorrow of that time. We felt scorned by the society that sent us. Too often demonized by questions, such as "How many babies did you kill?" We were the sons and daughters of America. The classmates who were no different than those that did not go, but we came back to a country that we felt unwelcomed by. Dave Wingfield has done a remarkable job in the writing of this book. He is my friend, and to quote him, "I love you bro, more than life itself."

As real as the man himself

I have known Dave "Paps" Wingfield for quite a few years now, and have spent a few memorable weekends at The Wall in DC with him. This book is as good as it gets in an effort to explain the effects of combat, for those who've never been, and to understand those that have. The book is as real as Paps himself, and that's as real as it gets. I'm proud to know him, proud to call him my friend, and prouder still to call him my brother. I hope a few million people read this book. Maybe it'll help the next batch of guys the government sends to die. Damn bro, made me cry a couple of times. JC

now I understand

Althought i have spent time talking with combat vets,I always walked away with so many questions. I so badly wanted to understand what they felt, I just didnt know what questions to ask, without sounding like i was judging... After reading this book, I now understand. If you too have question or having a hard time understanding You need to read this book!! the dots have finally connected...