"In, From 'Nam With Love, readers will discover the author's 'magic words' as he describes the most evocative callings of the human condition. Using the most simple, yet profound, words in the English language, the reader is taken through the complete cycle of senses ... anticipation, compassion, hate, horror, love, mental and physical terror, and the most irrational act of man ... killing. All of this is accomplished by the pen of a soldier who lived every second of these accounts. Each story is translated to the reader via a beautiful literary style. Those of us who have lived and fought as soldiers will experience the visceral recall quite readily. Those who have not will obtain both an intellectual and a physical presence ... not only on the battlefield, but in the quiet reflective periods through Lloyd's artwork and his dynamic writing style. Reading From 'Nam With Love will assist combat veterans who have internalized their combat crisis into a private review of the hurtful memories and will help cast off any second guessing of right and wrong that may still be emotionally binding. From 'Nam With Love is a remarkable collection of poetic stories of a soldier who lived the battle and emerged as a man of honor and grace." ~ LTC (Retired) C. J. Radu, US Army, 1st Cavalry 1965-66, 212th Combat Aviation Bn 1969-70 Vietnam
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From ‘Nam With Love is an enthralling diary of a combat soldier’s
travails and experiences in jungle warfare. Lloyd King’s soliloquy and
illustrations present an inspirational ana – and a rewarding read. His lyrical
style and personal approach creates a semblance of reality, giving the reader a
posture of actually ‘being there’.
His work is replete with acts of ‘Bravery’ and love of ‘Freedom’. His devotion to duty is exemplary of true ‘American Spirit’. As a veteran of another war, I am honored to salute Lloyd A. King and proud of his unflinching ‘Patriotism’. ~ Judge Kaliste J. Saloom, Jr. (retired), WWII, Special Agent, US Army Counter-Intelligence Corps, Europe and North Africa 1942-1945
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From 'Nam With Love is a captivating and insightful read. This old warrior's poetic vignettes will rekindle similar emotions in many who experienced war at such a young age.
Lloyd's talented artwork will permit many not familiar with the Vietnam War to better feel the emotional roller coaster he experienced while capturing his many verses.
I thank this fellow soldier for permitting me to 'sneak preview' From 'Nam With Love and I extend my compliments to Lloyd for a 'mission' well done. ~ John Sherman Crow, Brigadier General, USA, (Retired)
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"Lloyd King went to Vietnam in 1968 when he was twenty-four, and quickly established himself as one of the most outstanding infantry soldiers of that war … truly a soldier’s soldier. In his writings and illustrations, this topnotch American fighting man gives you the bare bones of combat, fear, love, and death.
From 'Nam With Love is so vivid and wonderfully written that it touched a nerve. Each poem reflects the camouflaged language spoken by the many soldiers who fought, lived, and died. Lloyd’s book was a psychological trip that brought out a full gamut of emotions, as I relived my two tours in Vietnam.
His brilliant poetry helps the reader understand the agony many veterans still feel today as they stare blankly into a mirror. Lloyd King transports the reader all the way back to Vietnam. His candid words successfully capture the hidden feelings and the suppressed emotions of the “grunts” that struggled, yet endured the hardships of the Vietnam War. From ‘Nam With Love is a first-rate, rare accomplishment in military writing. Loyd’s illustrations and writing will endure as a remarkable classic for generations." ~Marco A. Principio, Major, Infantry, USA, (Retired)
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"From 'Nam With Love is a must read for any soldier who has ever carried a weapon into battle to protect the values that we in America hold so dear. It is a wonderful tool for insight into the heart of any combat soldier.
"Lloyd King’s unique talent for melding emotion with imagery draws the reader into the heat of the battle, the pit of despair, and the innermost places of his heart. For this decorated hero to share his experiences with the public took another kind of courage, which he transformed into a literary masterpiece. This book will leave the reader with the profound realization that freedom is not free.
"As the recipient of The Silver Star, The Soldier’s Medal, and two Purple Hearts, Mr. King is a legend in his own time."~ Karen McCook Fontenot - Vietnam Veteran - USAF Medical Corp 1973-77, 81st Medical Group - Keesler AFB, Mississippi - United States Air Force Hospital – Clark AFB, the Philippines - HQ 3 COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP (PACAF)
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Simply stated, From 'Nam With Love is an evocative book. Was I shocked? Did I feel? Was I sad? Moved? A resounding, "Yes" to all. But, there's more. I was there. This possibility scared me the most. I didn't want to know what it was like ... that war. I didn't want to be brought out of my pretty world yet, I was. Now I know that reality can be ugly and beautiful at the same time. Lloyd's book was written with courage and represents the blood of many, and is delivered by one voice that refused to be silent any longer. I speak with certainty for anyone who takes the journey within the pages of Lloyd's book and say, with tear-stained eyes, simply ... thank you. ~ Georgia Richardson, Queen Jaw Jaw, Humor Columnist for The National Association of Baby Boomer Women (NABBW) and Author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Throne and Pink Jasper.
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"For those who have called each war since Vietnam 'the new Vietnam,' there was only one Vietnam. Often-decorated Lloyd A. King portrays that conflict in a way that Nam vets will recognize and today's soldiers will understand. It is more than a collection of poems about recons and snipers and the horrors of war, it is a love letter to the people of Vietnam, the 192 military buddies King lost, and a poetic memoir of family, especially the author's brother Jeff, who died in the States while King resisted enemy fire in the trenches. Those who have never understood war or a soldier's life until 'Saving Private Ryan' or the current War on Terror will learn from each vivid moment." ~ Kristin Johnson, www.poemsforyou.com, www.poetwarriorproject.com
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"Lloyd King bravely exposes a soldier's soul. Told with ineffable sorrow, From Nam With Love rips ideology and politics from our hearts. At the core, we are all human -- and we grieve for those who must kill and those who must die." ~ Joyce Faulkner, Author of In the Shadow of Suribachi
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"War always changes a person. Although people respond in different ways it affects them forever. Lloyd has chosen the medium of poetry to express his personal experiences. Through his poetry one can see the transformation of a young inexperienced soldier seeing combat for the first time to an older more mature individual who many years later remembers certain details as if they happened only yesterday."~ Eddie R Beesley, Cpl USMC retired, Vietnam veteran, author of Lucky Enough
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"Lloyd's poems have a way of dissolving thirty-eight years, putting the reader at the scene of the action. The vividness of the sights, sounds and feeling will transport any Vietnam veteran back to his or her experiences in combat, regardless of theater or generation. Veterans, get ready to confront your demons. King has! From 'Nam With Love will help any reader understand, as well." ~ Lyle R. Metzler, CH (COL), USA (Retired)
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"By the time I read the Dedications page, I knew I was about to read a book that would change my life. I felt as if I were holding the keys to a giant vault - and was about to witness the raw footage of raw war. I couldn't help but crave to see what it takes to survive humanity at its worst, humanity at its best. I couldn't wait to read the first poem...
I was not disappointed. This is a full throttle book - an emotional and vivid journey, describing every detail of being in the bowels of war - from the vibrations of the first helicopter ride - to the death of a comrade - to the first kill - to being wounded…
“I can’t comprehend the agony or the fear
My buddy experienced as he slowly bled
We just got here ... and he’s already dead
The words won’t register inside my head.”
In From ‘Nam With Love, decorated Army war hero, Lloyd A. King, offers a superbly intimate view of what it was like to be on the ground in Vietnam in 1968. Through his poetry and ink drawings, he tells us the story that many are afraid to even whisper about. He tells us about fear, frustration, death, hunger, horror, fatigue, honor, courage, nobility, and yet even takes the time to mention a single flower that gave him a brief moment of respite in the middle of hell itself.
This is an ideal book for students, scholars and the everyday reader - an ideal book for the study of human behavior and survival - an ideal book for veterans and historians, alike. In short, it is a masterpiece.
The poetry itself is highly descriptive - without being grotesque or exploitive. It is artistic and well organized - and gets to the point. But what struck me most was its cadence...an ominous yet soothing cadence...which aptly reflects the phenomenon of heavy heartbeats and boots marching in unison...and is the ideal tribute to all boots marching - those who have marched and returned - those who have marched and left us - and those who are marching still.........." ~ Anastasia Clark, author, poet, military veteran, SGT, USMC, 1981-89
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"Lloyd's poetry paints an exquisite picture of the effects of war on the human psyche. We glimpse the innocence lost and the pain found by so many of our soldiers in Vietnam, and we realize that he is a voice for all who have served." ~ Pat McGrath Avery, author of They Came Home: Korean War POWs Tell Their Stories.
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