Shrapnel

A riveting story that paints a remarkably realistic portrait of combat stress reactions. Thirty years after the Vietnam War, eight U.S. veterans - still scarred from the psychological shrapnel of combat and seeking the healing that has long eluded them - bravely return to the country where their enemy lurked so long ago. Retired VA psychologist Dr. Ken Carson prepares the men to minimize the trauma of their journey while Reverend Johnny Green and Rabbi David Aloni lend spiritual support. In Vietnam, the veterans confront their painful, haunting memories: crossing leech-infested rice paddies in the dead of night surrounded by enemy; peasants who could be carrying weapons under their loose fitting "pajamas"; terror in the tunnels; degradation in the whorehouses and more. Finally able to relate to each other emotionally, without the detachment that was necessary for survival during the war, the men form a mini-platoon during the trip, bonding in their quest for wellness. Written by a distinguished psychologist and told from the perspective of eight fictional but vivid central characters, Shrapnel: A Journey Toward Psychological Healing highlights the courage of the veterans while eloquently examining the long-term effects of combat stress and helping to remove the stigma of mental health treatment. www.shrapnelnovel.com