Cherries – A Vietnam War Novel is available from these great websites:
Cherries – A Vietnam War Novel has gone live in these new venues:
Printed books:
Cherries Paperback from CreateSpace
Cherries paperback from Amazon
Cherries Paperback from Lulu
Printed copy – personally autographed: Available from AuthorsDen
E-Book for Amazon Kindle : Cherries Kindle Version
E-book Barnes & Noble NOOK reader: Cherries for NOOK E-Reader
E-Book for Apple, KOBO, desktop, SONY, Palm, PDF and other versions: Cherries at Smashwords
Let the Journey begin…
Please remember to revisit this blog and leave comments of what you thought about my book. I have created a special page that will be dedicated to readers of the book only. Click on book reader page in Right panel.
CLICK TITLE ON TOP OF PAGE TO GO TO MAIN BLOG PAGE
June 24, 2010 at 9:55 am
Brilliant blog & More power to you!
As a survivor of PTSD
I have had a small glimpse into the world of the war veteran.
These stories are the stories which badly need to be told.
They are what shaped your world and the world of those sharing them.
Keep writing and sharing these with the world so that they may understand.
June 24, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated. / John
July 6, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Great info and graphics on your site John. Now I need to get your book!
Bill
July 6, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Great site John! Id love to read peoples reviews on your book. I might have to suggest it on my book club blog. =)
July 8, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Please do. Thanks for your comment! / John
July 13, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I bought your book John—glad I did—it was a rivetting read–once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down—I think everyone needs to read your story to get a feel of what our warriors have gone through in defense of our way of life.
January 9, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Great Book John..thank you for your thorough and factual coverage.
I was also a “cherry” back in 1966 with the First Cav. It was an experience I will never forget and no regrets. Thanks for a great read..
January 10, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Joe, thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to post on my blog. It is greatly appreciated. After VN, I was also with the First Cav 1/12th in Fort Hood Texas until it was time to be discharged. Bright spot was driving the APC’s during war games. Welcome home Brother!
April 15, 2011 at 10:09 am
For all you “Jarheads” out there…enjoy!
February 1, 2011 at 11:20 am
I am a Viet Nam Vet 69/70. I have over fifty books on the war,(fiction &nonfiction) but this is above and beyond all of them. Anyone that served in the infantry can totally relate to this book from the first page to the last. I felt like your were somewhere in my squad as you described everything that took place in my area of operation, (Duc Pho , Chu Lai, My Lai). Good luck with trying to get some “movie interest”. “We were soldiers once and young” , should not be the last Viet Nam movie, Cherries should!
February 2, 2011 at 11:24 am
Bil,
Thank you so much for dropping in on my blog and leaving a note. I am glad that you’ve enjoyed my story and have also heard similar comments from other grunts. The story must be told! Movie sounds great! Thanks again. / John
February 6, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Hi John, just finisned your book and loved it. It brought me right back to the bush and the memories came flooding back.
I was with the Marines for 15 months in 67 & 68 from the southern most reasches of I Corps to the DMZ. I could really relate to you experience with the PRC 25, I was an FO radio operator with an artility battery both in the bush and different firebases. Many of the FB you mention in the book,
Thanks for a really good read
Ron/Fireball
February 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Ron,
Thank you for reading Cherries and also for stopping by to leave a note on my blog. Many people did not understand what we had gone through when we left for the Nam. It is hoped that this story will not only allow the vets to relate, but also for families to get an idea what their loved ones survived. Thanks again Brother and Welcome Home! / John
March 30, 2011 at 2:47 am
John Podlaski has done it…..by using historical fiction, this author has come closer than 99% of other attempts by rival authors to duplicate the vicarious experience of what it was like to be an “FNG” during America’s participation in the Vietnam War!” Don’t believe me? Pick up this book, and see if you feel the pull to finish it in one reading! And I’ve read virtually them all! “Cherries” uniquely brings the sights and smell of the triple canopy jungle, the mosquitoes, leeches, and the fear of night that only being in “the Nam” could elicit….right into your living room! Be careful, you might find yourself ducking from a VC sniper’s bullet as you turn a page! Yes, it’s THAT GOOD!!!!! This is one I will forever reread!
March 30, 2011 at 9:50 am
Thank you Bernie, I do appreciate your kind words!
April 13, 2011 at 9:44 am
I just finished your book and thought it was awesome and surreal for me. I can’t begin to imgaine what being in a war is really like. I am 43 years old and have never been involved in any type of military but have great respect for those who have and who continue to do so for our country. It is because of you all that we live in such a great country. I enjoy reading stories of that world of war that has given our country our freedom. Your book touched my heart in so many ways however, to know that if had you not received your promotion you would not be alive today just goes to show that although we do not always understand why things happen and the timing of those things but they happen for a reason. I am thankful for your service and that you made it out to live life and to share your story. Thank you.
June 7, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Hi John, Just finished reading your book and it brought back a lot of memories! It’s great to read something from a fellow Wolfhound. I was drafted in August, 1966 and I served with the 1/27th Wolfhounds, C Company, from Jan. 67 – July 67, as an M-60 machinegunner (for 3 months, and finally able to pass it off to a Cherry after being wounded), then walked point for 3 months, then 1st platoon RTO for 1 month. In July 67 there was an infusion (transfer) of a bunch of us from the Wolfhounds in Cu Chi to the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Division in Dau Tieng in the Michelin Rubber Plantation. I had already made Sgt E-5 by then, and went up as a squad leader. The reason for the transfer was that when I came to the Wolfhounds in January, I was one of 56 replacements (Cherries) in C Company. As you know, we never had more than 110 -115 men at any one time in Viet Nam, so 56 were a lot of replacements at one time. The battalion had just been through a lot of action when we arrived, and our eyes bugged out as we stared at the wounded short timers still able to walk around the Company area. I was assigned the M-60 machine gun, and when I told the F/Sgt I had just barely qualified with it in AIT, he said “Don’t worry kid, you’ll be an expert in no time, and as a “Pig Gunner”, you won’t have to pull K-P”. Shortly after, I was stopped by a black guy, limping through the Company area with a bullet hole through his hand. he asked what my job was, and when I told him he said he was sorry to hear that as gunners only lasted 2-3 weeks. I was shocked, and all I could say was at least I don’t have to pull K-P. He laughed, saying “man, the gooks pull all the K-P here, and you probably ain’t gonna be here in Cu Chi much anyway”.
Sorry for being long winded, but just writing it gets confusing. As you said though, once a Wolfhound always a Wolfhound. When we got to Dau Tieng, all 12 of us continued wearing our Wolfhound pins on our soft hats for approx. for a few weeks until ordered to remove them by our new F’Sgt in the 1/12. Now, here’s wear it gets more confusing. The 3rd brigade of the 4th Div. was in Dau Tieng, where we were sent. The 3rd brigade of the 25th Div. was in PleiKu. In their infinite wisdom, the Army decided to trade colors, making the 3rd brigade of the 4th Div. in Dau Tieng the 3rd brigade of the 25th Div., and the 3rd brigade of the 25th Div. in Pleiku the 3rd brigade of the 4th Div.. So, we were back in the 25th Division again, a month after being transferred, only in a different unit! I know, it sounds screwed up, but that was the Nam. The only mountain we had was The Black Virgin Mountain in Tay Ninh, otherwise we spent all our time in the Iron Triangle, HoBo Woods, Boi Loi Woods, Trang Bang, etc.. It was tough down south, as you said. We got a sick feeling in our stomachs whenever told we were going to one of these areas. Then if we did get a stand down for 3 days, one night was bunker guard to give the rear eschalon guys a break as they “pulled guard every night”. Then one day was spent on Eagle Flights, where they took us up in choppers and flew low over suspected VC areas, hoping to receive fire. If we did, they dropped us down to try to eliminate the VC there, then picked us up afterwards. It sucked!
Sorry, long winded again, however it’s great to hear about the experiences of fellow Wolfhounds after I left, and the book was a great read. If you get a chance, write back. It would be great hearing from you. Best regards, and Welcome Home Brother! Jim Lunn
June 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Jim, good to hear from a fellow Wolfhound…looks like your responsibilities were similar to mine, or as you were there first, perhaps mine to yours. Wonderful story you told, thinking about writing your own book? I also appreciate you subscribing to my site, watch for upcoming new stories. Are you planning to attend the Chicago weekend Welcome Home 2011? If so, stop in so I can sign your book. If you are up for it, how about writing a book review on Amazon…don’t have to say much at all, and then choose a rating from 1 5. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your story! / John
June 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm
John,
I served in the 2/12 infantry, 25th Infantry Division from 15 January, 1970 til November 24th, 1970. Your book was excellent. I “humped” with the infantry for 9 months and your book brought back a lot of memories. The second FSB I went to was Kein, right after FSB Pershing. I have connected with my buddies about 8 years ago and we have a reunion in Tennessee every June. We are finding more and more of our buddys each year. Your book is the best that I have read.
June 25, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Ted, always a pleasure to meet a brother from the 25th Division. We gave up FSB Kien in the late fall and built FSB Lynch in the Iron Triangle. I am glad you enjoyed my book. Thanks for posting on my blog – much appreciated. Welcome Home Brother! / John
July 19, 2011 at 3:15 pm
I loved Cherries, it is a great book that everyone should read to get a taste of the Nam.
P.S: whens the next book comin out
July 19, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Zackary,
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed my story. As for a next novel – lots of folks have been asking me the same question, so I may have to consider doing this as a new hobby.
October 7, 2011 at 12:46 pm
I loved your book. I am a librarian at the St. Peterburg Public Library in St. Petersburg,Fl. I recommended your book for our libraries collection and we have purchased 2 copies.
October 7, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Thank you Zack – I am glad you enjoyed my book. I’ve been trying to get my book into the libraries and understand there is a certain protocol to follow. Can you point the way for me?
October 8, 2011 at 9:49 am
Hello Mr. Podlaski,
I would recommend emailing libraries with links to reviews of your book. Books that are backed with reviews from reputable sources have the best chance of catching a librarian’s eye.
Explain to them in the email who you are and why your book would be important for the libraries collection. These reviews, including Amazon reviews will give your book a better chance of being included in a libraries collection. I found your book on Amazon and recommended it for purchase after reading the reviews there.
October 18, 2011 at 1:45 pm
History is more than just a list of names and dates. Real people were involved and affected by these events. Your book sheds light into a period of time that has affected us all, but many wish to forget.
Thank you for your contribution
Randy E King
http://storiesofusa.com
January 11, 2012 at 3:43 pm
John,
I just bought your book four days ago and I couldn’t put it down. You did a awesome job explaining the battles and what you and your men had to go through. Kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading it I want to go back through it and see if I missed anything. Thank you for writing this book. It is definitely one of my favorite books. Hope all is well.
January 11, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Thank you Rick! I do appreciate your purchase and kind words. Is it possible for you to leave the same comment on the website you purchased the book from? These reviews help to get the word out and influence potential readers. / John
John Podlaski, author
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