Walking Point

From the Ashes of the Vietnam War

By: Perry A. Ulander

Narrated by: Alan Ross

A Vietnam War veteran paints a searing portrait of his one-year tour of duty as an Army draftee, shedding light on the emotional and physical casualties of war

In this intimate memoir, Perry A. Ulander chronicles with powerful clarity the bewildering predicament he confronted and the fellowship and guidance that transformed him during the year he served as an American GI in the jungles of Vietnam. Conveying with unadorned precision the harrowing experiences that shatter his core beliefs, Ulander also captures the camaraderie and humor of his platoon, the hostility between “lifers” and draftees, the physical hardships of reconnaissance missions, and the unrelenting apprehension underlying everyday life. Ultimately, he describes the surrendering of social norms and accepted identities that allows him to glimpse a previously unimagined realm of heightened awareness.

Written after a lifetime of reflection on the nature of war and the effect of violence and domination on the minds and spirits of those forced to practice it, Walking Point offers a powerful narrative for readers with an interest in the effects of war and violence, American involvement in Vietnam, PTSD, and how trauma can be a catalyst for spiritual transformation. Giving voice to profound insights gained through extreme adversity, Ulander movingly captures the depth of trust and commitment among a group of unwitting warriors who struggle to stay alive and sane in unchartered territory.

A great Vietnam War Memoire

The author was a part of group of dope head mon conformists. They did their “jobs” as grunts with true courage, but they like all who went just wanted to survive. I especially enjoyed the author’s survival technique. The book has lots of very interesting takes on life, death and the war—the author, and his fellows had their sh— together They were more than friends, more than brothers—they were a oneness according to the author I like that concept I recommend this book highly but if you want glorification or flag waiving skip it

Astonishing and inspiring!

A truly fascinating memoir from a Vietnam soldier whose spirit triumphs beyond any imagination conceivable.

Bad transitions

the audio transitions suddenly, there are no pauses between paragraphs and the tone changes at random.

The real drafted grunt

well written for the average guy and I was able to walk in the author's boots. It captured the anger and frustration of a GI trying to survive in a situation where poor leadership was tolerated. I would recommend this book to those who weren't there.

Memories hurt, forgetting hurts more

This is a moving story of what it's like. It's about the coming to grips with the inhuman horror of war and the brotherhood of fellow soldiers. As a grunt, it spoke to my heart. I know all combat soldiers are conflicted in their feelings of hating the war and loving, and missing the comradery that only develops among men who share everything, because hiding your feelings behind a wall is impossible.