Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 26, 1995                   TAG: 9502250003
SECTION: BOOK                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JILL KER CONWAY RECALLS 'FUTURE OF A WOMAN ALONE IN THE 1950S'

Now let's get one thing straight from the beginning, I respect Oliver North for the way he did his duty in Vietnam. He spent his time as a Rifle Platoon leader and from all accounts did a fine job. Whether or not he should have done so is your call. Whether or not you respect his politics or think he ought to be the junior Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia is also up to you. All this review is concerned with is his book.

The short review is that this is one of the most self-serving autobiographies I have ever read. North lays it on so thick that you can hardly believe anyone can be so pious, presumptuous and self-centered.

The long review is not much better.

Via a series of flash backs (what is this, an epic?) and introspective character studies, North describes some highlights of his career during and shortly after Vietnam, and what he has done to bring about reconciliation between our two nations since his retirement. His main effort, and the ostensive purpose of this book, is a description of a tour of Vietnam he took in 1993. Along the way he surreptitiously brags about his fame, his association with Rush Limbaugh, the Horatio Alger-like success of his company (Guardian Technologies) and just about anything else he can think of.

The writing is maudlin and sensationalistic. North invokes Jesus more times than a rural evangelist.

To be fair, some of his information is quite interesting and even helpful. North lists a number of US-based, non-profit organizations who are working to bring help to Vietnam. International Aid and Vets With A Mission draw particularly favorable attention. While in Vietnam, North stopped to chat with the US agency seeking MIAs who assured him that there are no living MIAs being held there against their will. He visited his old area of operations and had a friendly meeting with some NVA who might well have fought against him. He also toured the countryside and comments favorably on the people and their progress since the war.

It is obvious that North does not harbor any animosity against the people or government of Vietnam and that he genuinely wants reconciliation between our countries. It is too bad he could not say so in a less pious way.

In short, if you like Oliver North you will like this book. If you don't like Oliver North you should not waste your time on it. If you just want some good writing from someone who was there and is in a position to possibly have something to say, you will be disappointed.

Kenneth Locke is a Radford pastor.