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Chicanos in the Ranks

By Barry Romo (Reviewer)

Soldados: Chicanos in Viet Nam
By Charley Trujillo
(Chusma House Publications, 1990)

Soldados: Chicanos in Viet Nam
The Documentary
By Charley Trujillo and Sonya Rhee
(Chusma House Publications, 1993)

I really don't do reviews, except sometimes to talk about other things beyond the film or book. Not this time. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the book, "Soldados: Chicanos in Viet Nam," filled with narratives of the Vietnam War. (Chicanos are sometimes called Mexican Americans.)

There are few books about Chicanos in the military, but even if there were thousands, this one would stand out. Trujillo relates the lives and experiences of Chicanos from the cotton fields of Corcoran, California to the rice paddies of Vietnam and back home.

This year I discovered a DVD had been made; based on the book, it's a terrific documentary featuring interviews and vintage footage. At 28 minutes in length, it's perfect for the classroom. This is much more than just Chicano or ethnic studies, just as "Glory" was more than just about black troops. I highly recommend it.

The book and DVD — and a whole lot more — are available from:
Chusma House Publications
P.O. Box 467
San Jose, CA 95103
(408) 947-0958
www.chusmahouse.com