Silent Spring - Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War by Patrick HoganMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Silent Spring: Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War is not a beach read. Patrick Hogan lays out in cold, harsh detail the reckless actions of our government using chemicals during the Vietnam War and the devastating effects that millions of people - soldiers and civilians alike - have suffered because of it. That this information comes from a man who was right there, boots-on-the-ground as they say, brings a bitter anger to the pages. And rightfully so! I am humbled by those who feel that duty to sacrifice for their country and I am enraged that that country decided the risk of using such chemicals to those soldiers 'acceptable', if they even thought of them at all.
On the far side of the emotions, this book is also intensely technical. The chemicals referenced are vast and the research into how the pesticides, herbicides and the rest were designed is clearly nothing short of comprehensive. That can make for some rather droll reading but I didn't feel that any of it should have been cut. Knowledge is power, right?
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