{"product_id":"a-dangerous-country-an-american-elegy-9781636141664","title":"A Dangerous Country: An American Elegy","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWHEN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD RON KOVIC\u003c\/strong\u003e enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964, he couldn't foresee that he would return from Vietnam paralyzed and in a wheelchair for life. His best-selling 1976 memoir \u003cem\u003eBorn on the Fourth of July\u003c\/em\u003e became an antiwar classic and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise as Kovic. His follow-up, \u003cem\u003eHurricane Street, \u003c\/em\u003e chronicled his advocacy for Vietnam veterans' rights. \u003cem\u003eA Dangerous Country: An American Elegy\u003c\/em\u003e completes Kovic's Vietnam Trilogy, delving deep into his long and often agonizing journey home from war and eventual healing, forgiveness, and spiritual redemption.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book opens with Kovic's never-before-revealed Vietnam diary (July 7, 1967-July 26, 1968). His entries from this period portray a patriotic young soldier with a strong moral and religious conscience. Kovic then recalls his political awakening after his return from Vietnam confined to a wheelchair following his horrific injury. He also chronicles the tremendous guilt he feels over his accidental killing of a fellow Marine while on patrol. This killing psychologically torments him as much as his severe disability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter years of social, political, and sexual turmoil--and on the brink of suicide--Kovic experiences a powerful epiphany that gives him a reason and purpose to live; a renewed faith and strength to carry on. Although his trauma is severe, his third memoir is ultimately the inspirational story of a survivor finding a way to rise above his depression and despair, forgiving his enemies and himself, and growing deeply committed to a new life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Akashic Books, Ltd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/13\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781636141664\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 264\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 5.25h x 8.25w\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/18\/2023\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ron Kovic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43471187968181,"sku":"9781636141664","price":23.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_fb8d8646-85c3-497c-b0fb-691f9f5d75ed.jpg?v=1704823910","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/a-dangerous-country-an-american-elegy-9781636141664","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}