John Cory's book, An IED on the Yellow Brick Road is a short story of less than 100 pages and can be read in one sitting. I am fond of war stories and look forward to reading about the experiences of others. This one, however, is the aftermath of war and talks about injuries and wounds that are invisible. A gay couple living in the countryside - one a Vietnam Veteran and 62 years old - are visited by two strangers, a man and a woman, who knock on their door on a rainy night. Turns out that neither of the two new arrivals knew one another; the female was hitchhiking a ride and the male offered her a ride.

The Vietnam vet has a feeling that both visitors, who are in their twenties, were modern day veterans. However, neither of them will admit to it.

Coop, the Vietnam vet, has a studio out back where he has built a shrine about the Vietnam War. It is here that the three veterans finally open up and begin talking about their experiences. They talk about three different war zones: Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, but it the same old war where the enemy can hide among us. Not only does PTSD rear its ugly head, but the female states that she has survived getting blown up twice in her humvee and has trouble with her thoughts. Yet the VA Hospital isn't willing to help her. Eventually, each blames the other for their faults - blowing off steam.

This book is about compassion, anger and then later support between the three generations of veterans. Eventually, they feel like they are home again.

It is difficult for me to write a review about this book because so much takes place - most of it through dialog. I can only say that if you are a veteran, it is easy to relate to their stories. If not, this book will alert you to what veterans are carrying deep within their memories since returning from war. It is well worth the time to read. After finishing, the reader will not be able to get the words out of their heads. They stay with you...leaving you astonished and bewildered. Excellent job Mr. John Cory!

John Podlaski, author
[...] ( )

John Cory's book, An IED on the Yellow Brick Road is a short story of less than 100 pages and can be read in one sitting. I am fond of war stories and look forward to reading about the experiences of others. This one, however, is the aftermath of war and talks about injuries and wounds that are invisible. A gay couple living in the countryside - one a Vietnam Veteran and 62 years old - are visited by two strangers, a man and a woman, who knock on their door on a rainy night. Turns out that neither of the two new arrivals knew one another; the female was hitchhiking a ride and the male offered her a ride.

The Vietnam vet has a feeling that both visitors, who are in their twenties, were modern day veterans. However, neither of them will admit to it.

Coop, the Vietnam vet, has a studio out back where he has built a shrine about the Vietnam War. It is here that the three veterans finally open up and begin talking about their experiences. They talk about three different war zones: Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, but it the same old war where the enemy can hide among us. Not only does PTSD rear its ugly head, but the female states that she has survived getting blown up twice in her humvee and has trouble with her thoughts. Yet the VA Hospital isn't willing to help her. Eventually, each blames the other for their faults - blowing off steam.

This book is about compassion, anger and then later support between the three generations of veterans. Eventually, they feel like they are home again.

It is difficult for me to write a review about this book because so much takes place - most of it through dialog. I can only say that if you are a veteran, it is easy to relate to their stories. If not, this book will alert you to what veterans are carrying deep within their memories since returning from war. It is well worth the time to read. After finishing, the reader will not be able to get the words out of their heads. They stay with you...leaving you astonished and bewildered. Excellent job Mr. John Cory!

John Podlaski, author ( )