Steinbeck in Vietnam: Dispatches from the War    edited by Thomas Barden Order:  USA  Can University of Virginia, 2012 (2012) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch Between December, 1966 and May, 1967, John Steinbeck wrote a series of articles on his travels in Vietnam during the war. Published by Newsday, the dispatches took the form of letters which were addressed to Dear Alicia. Alicia Guggenheim was a former close family friend of the author and the publisher's deceased wife. Steinbeck, who was 64 years old at the time, traveled to many of the major combat areas and his pro-war stance was reflected in the articles he sent home. At the time the columns generated a certain amount of controversy since the opposition to the war was increasing daily. This is the first time all of the 58 dispatches have been published together. In addition to Steinbeck's writing, Thomas Braden provides an introduction and extensive notes that offers background on the essays themselves, the military situation and the social context of the 1960s. An interesting addition to the collection of Steinbeck's varied body of work, this is a book that those who have read the author's other journalistic pieces will definitely wish to own. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews