The Vietnam Funny Book was first publicly released on Veterans Day in 1980. The Prelude reads, "The book was the living testimony of Grunts. It was the tour guide, conceived in a soggy ditch by truth..."
The Stars And Stripes, in the following Memorial Day issue, described the book as "an ironic collection of cartoons done in 'Nam by a grunt who paid his dues. It is appropriately subtitled ,'An antidote to insanity' ".
The Stars And Stripes further wrote, "There have been a lot of books written about Vietnam, but none like Tad Foster's, The Vietnam Funny Book." "It's a rollicking look at the raw side of that war the Nation still tries to qualify . . . a jolting perspective" and an "alternate to a psychiatrist's couch . . ." In February, 1981, the U.S. Government Dept. of Medicine & Surgery, V.A. purchased 130 books for nationwide distribution to every Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center throughout the United States. It was the second book to be purchased en mass on the Vietnam War by this arm of the United States government. The Vietnam Funny Book; An Antidote to Insanity,1st Edition became U.S. Government Issue.
In 1980, the Director of Vietnam Veterans of America called the book "dynamite". The Chairman of the National Veterans Task Force on Agent Orange wrote, "I, as well as other veterans, have found it to be a delight." In 1979, prior to the book's release, Dean K. Phillips wrote, "Your art is written in a language that has a message unique to Vietnam combat veterans. I hope you are able to see that many other veterans enjoy its special brand of humor." Bill Mauldin's characterization of the book is straight-forward: "It rings like true silver on the bar." {On Mauldin's recommendation, the 2nd edition of The Vietnam Funny Book; An Antidote To Insanity was printed by his publisher Presidio Press, respected and renouned for military history books.}
The Vietnam Funny Book; An Antidote To Insanity is indeed a history book regarding the very backbone of a generation. Over the years it was excerpted by the U.S. Government and veterans newsletters, and reviewed favorably across the country. The L.A. Times book review defined the book as "poignant humor". In 1981, The Navy Times wrote, "The Vietnam Funny Book is actually not to be talked about, but to be read." Learn why the book has been well regarded over many years by combat veterans, from privates to top Brass. The book's content was neither compromised nor edited to pacify a consensus, rewrite history or boost marketability. This is evident from the first page to the last. It was a matter of honor to former comrades in arms. As I wrote in the book, "It was drawn from and for the souls who lived it."
The Vietnam Funny Book is available directly from me, and I will sign the remaining books from the last printing in 1988. I will inscribe hardback books upon request (reserving the right to edit such inscriptions, of course). There are roughly 5,000 books remaining in print from the 3rd edition. The book was printed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons, the printing company for the Encyclopedia Brittannica, National Geographic and Time-Life Books. A limited edition of 1,000 books with separate registration in the Library of Congress was printed of The Vietnam Funny Book along with the paperback and standard hardbound editions. 234 copies remain and are hand signed and numbered.
If you want one of the last remaining copies of The Vietnam Funny Book: An Antidote To Insanity, you get it straight from me. I wrote the book. No big fanfare, no publicist's mega-hype. No guarantees. No returns.
Service: U.S. Marines...0311- Grunt, Psychological Operations N.C.O., 4th Combined Action Group, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, 1968-69 ... Semper Fidelis
I dedicate this writing to my late father-in-law and dear friend, Darrell (known affectionately as "Love"), a tough, no-nonsense American iron worker.
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