Vietnam War Portraits

The Faces and Voices

by Thomas Sanders

Foreword by John Rowan

Imprint: Casemate

224 Pages, 8 x 10 in, 100 portraits, 44 object images

Hardcover
9781612007038
February 2020
In Stock

$39.95

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9781612007045
February 2020

$23.95

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Description
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The only book of its kind consisting of American Vietnam war veterans, southern Vietnamese war veterans, southern Vietnamese refugees, the relics, and their stories blended into one book.

Featuring modern portraits and firsthand accounts, this book offers a unique perspective on the Vietnam War, bringing together the stories of American Vietnam war veterans, southern Vietnamese war veterans and civilians.

The surreal imagery of Thomas Sanders' vivid portraits encourages the viewer to take a closer look at those who experienced the war, giving them a chance to read the haunting, inspirational, and sometimes comical stories of the individuals of the Vietnam War. Set in a surreal jungle environment, the portraits evoke the sense of darkness and uncertainty felt by those who experienced the war. Some of the portraits hold objects that relate to their role or experience during their time in the service. The objects tell a deeper story of a dark and confusing war: the common cigarette pack smoked by the vets while in the jungle; a homemade grenade made by the northern Vietnamese; and a “order to report” document – a piece of paper that changed many a life.

Vietnam War Portraits serves as a form of catharsis for the many people involved in the Vietnam War and honors them by giving them an opportunity to tell their story, bearing witness to their service, their experiences and the aftermath.

After graduating from Cal Poly SLO in 2006, Tom Sanders moved to the Los Angeles Area (Redondo Beach) to start his career as a photographer. His photographic coffee table book The Last Good War: The Faces And Voices Of WWII was published with Welcome Books/Rizzoli and named “Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Editor’s Choice” by the Forewords Review Magazine. He is the youngest author to ever win this award. After six years in Los Angeles, Tom, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where Tom received his Master’s of Photography from San Jose State University in 2014. He now resides in Savannah, GA where he is a professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Tom has spoken at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Idaho Historical Society, WWII Museum in New Orleans, and many other locations. Whether photographing or creating films of sub-cultural portraits, celebrities or advertisements, Tom shoots and films with a humanistic approach, his images are never forced and are constantly evoking emotion from the viewer. Tom is known for his easy going attitude and his talents to create a comfortable professional working atmosphere. You can view Tom’s work at: tomsandersphoto.com

John Rowan is the President and CEO of Vietnam Veterans of America.

"Vietnam War Portraits" will serve as a form of release for many people who were involved in the Vietnam War and honors them by giving them a chance to tell their story, bearing witness to their service, and their involvement and the repercussions of that service." ~Veterans Today

"Vietnam War Portraits is a must-read. Its stunning portraits and the extremely personal and heartfelt thoughts of the contributors will truly impact each reader." ~Military Review

"The photography, which drew me in initially, has a deeply moving element to it that does much to tell its own story. We see the faces and ephemera of the war in detail and there is as much to be learned from looking into the eyes of the subjects to reading of their experiences." ~War History Online

"The narratives accompanying each portrait range from short pithy quotes to long and detailed accounts. Some are haunting, others inspirational and some comical. All of them are insights into how differently these individuals experienced the war and the impact it still has on them more than four decades later." ~Toy Soldier & Model Figure