90

A Conscientious Objector's Journey of Quiet Resistance

By: Bruce Jay Wasser, Fern Schumer Chapman

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

How far would you go to stand by your conscience?

In 1969, the Vietnam War rages, and Bruce Wasser—a 20-year-old Princeton student—receives a draft lottery number that all but guarantees his conscription. While his classmates debate politics in ivy-covered halls, Bruce faces a harrowing reality: enlist, flee, or take an unthinkable stand as a conscientious objector.

With his father gone and no clear guidance, Bruce wrestles with the weight of moral courage, personal integrity, and the cost of defying expectations. Will he fight in a war he cannot support, or risk alienation from his country, family, and future?

90 is a coming-of-age memoir that transports readers into the heart of a turbulent era, offering a deeply personal lens on the Vietnam War, the draft, and the quiet defiance of those who resisted. Thought-provoking and powerfully written, this book is a must-read for fans of historical memoirs, educator biographies, and true stories of moral courage.

“A passionate record of a life well lived… a rocky and admirable tale of a man who faced hardship and doubt and emerged with a firm sense of self.”
— Martin Duberman, historian & author

Perfect for readers of Vietnam War biographies, coming-of-age memoirs, and historical accounts of moral resistance, 90 is a testament to the quiet power of standing by one’s beliefs—no matter the cost.

One awesome Human Being

I was one of those children in 1989 as a junior at Newark Memorial High School who took Mr. Wasser’s history class. Basing my admiration for him as a history teacher makes me beam with happy memories of my most favorite teacher to teach me during my younger formative educational years, but that admiration is now far greater after reading his book. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to delve into his early adulthood and see how he became the man that he became, hearing of his struggles with his number that was assigned to him with the lottery and deciding how to deal with the repercussions that would clearly be coming to him should he obtain that CO status.
I hung on every word to every paragraph in every chapter of this book, eager to learn deeper understanding to this amazing person who helped shape the person I am today. His friend Jim was right, he certainly had so much to give America and so glad he found that as someone who chose to teach America’s children.
It’s a brilliantly written book by a brilliant man!

Powerful!!

Wonderfully written! We don’t often get to hear this side of the Vietnam war story. So glad that he chose to write his experience. Would definitely offer this as a read to anyone interested in Vietnam war stories.