Thursday, June 29, 2006




This coin was presented to Richard Ingelido from 5 star General Kevin P. Chilton for Richard's Service in The Vietnam War and writing his story.









Author: Richard "Dick" Ingelido
37 Esplanade
Yeronga, Queensland 4104
Australia



Book Title:
It's Not About The War
(Non-fiction / Memoir)
Hard Cover
RRP: US$25.65
ISBN: 978-1-60860-641-2
Published by Strategic Book Publishing
Pages: 232
© Copyright 2009 Richard Ingelido USA


Book Orders: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/ItsNotAboutTheWar.html
or "google" It's Not About The War by Richard Ingelido for more sites around the world.


Book Synopsis/Introduction:

It’s Not About The War allows the reader to feel the fear of facing death as well as the exhilaration of exposure to the dangers of a war zone that few will ever know. Be thrilled by the highs and lows of a civilian surviving under adverse conditions with the fighting Marines near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Vietnam.

Be confronted by the alcoholism, drug abuse and racial friction present on the military bases. – The writer exposes his vulnerability with regard to decisions made for his family’s benefit; which painfully resulted in failure, causing depression, divorce, excessive drinking and perhaps even contributing to the tragic death of his daughter.


This book is about Richard Ingelido’s life. Often unpredictable always challenging, and interwoven with his unforgettable experience in Vietnam – the excitement, the fear and arduous sole searching for his illusive dream - and the consequences that followed.

Because of his civilian status, the U.S. Military and Vietnamese treated Richard differently. The military personal were rightly, focused on their individual tasks, which made it difficult for them to see the big picture. This 28-year-old engineer however was not restricted in his movements. He was able to enter “off limit” areas and observe the war from a different and unique perspective. In addition, Richard witnessed, recorded and photographed how local Vietnamese survived under adverse wartime conditions. Thirtyeight of these historical photographs are included to enhance understanding.

The Vietnam assignment Richard Ingelido undertook would change his life and family relationship in more ways than he was able to recognize at the time. He believed he was doing his country a service and securing his financial future. While life was full of uncertainties before his Vietnam experience, it became more emotionally charged and challenging as time went on. The years of 1968 and 1969 created a shock wave of change and an eruption of human emotions for Richard Ingelido, his family and the world.




























Note: In the publication there are numerous pages of spectacular, enlightening, heart wrenching photographs of Vietnam taken by the author.


The Author:
He is now retired from Honeywell Corp. after more than 25 years of service as a Field Engineering Specialist and 45 years in aviation. He held positions at Avco Lycoming, Sikorsky and Airwork, just to name a few. After retirement he decided to write his memoirs as a part of his legacy for his descendants. He wanted the story to be told first hand with emotion and record the events as he personally experienced them. This book is not just about the war, aircraft or history, but it reveals some of the best and worst things that life can offer.


Newspaper Reviews / Comments


Townsville Bulletin (Australia):
"This is a survivor's memoir. In a word, Harrowing."

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia “Phuoc Tuy Times”:
Richard’s book, It’s Not About The War”, is extremely compelling reading. Interceded with photographs it becomes a graphic story of one man’s hell, home and life.
The story is powerful and one that any serviceman who served in Vietnam can quickly relate to. You will struggle with some of the things he got up to, laugh with a lot of the others and cringe at the several close calls.
A well-written account of one man’s odyssey in Vietnam.

American Vietnam Veteran (Mike Thomas / Honeywell Corporation);
“It took me just three days to read It’s Not About The War; I probably should have said lived the book. It gave me everything but the smell. Well done!”

MacAir Australian Airline (Stuart Corbett):
“When I picked up the book, I had no expectations other than curiosity. I found however that I was gripped by the reality and had to read it through before putting it down. I found the writing style refreshing and personal, and felt as if Dick was narrating the words himself. This book is a great legacy”.

Stephen Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing/Pacific Turbine Brisbane Ltd.
“I read your book and asked my wife to read it before we discussed it. Both of us enjoyed the read and felt the books open honesty was a breath of fresh air. The ability to write a book that appeals to me and my wife Judy impressed us both. It stirred some soul searching for me.”



All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Ingelido, Richard 1940-
It’s Not About the War

Author: Richard “Dick” Ingelido
Photographer: Richard Ingelido Camera: Minolta SLR 35mm
With exception, photos of author: (unknown photographer/s)
Book Cover and Arts Design: Richard Ingelido
Cover Feature: Vietnamese papa san just finished praying in church.
Editor and Final Proof Reader: Dr. Nancy A. Petenbrink, Ph.D
ISBN: 0-646-45441-2
First self-published in 2005 by Queensland Complete Printing Services Nambour, Qld. Australia

Disclaimer: All details given in this publication are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Care has been taken in the research of the information herein, but no responsibility can be accepted by the author for any damages resulting from the information of this work.




7 Comments:

Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Notice: I have added the following comments from readers that sent messages direct to my e-mail.
Richard..


Subject: Congratulations!

My Dear Richard,

To say that I was astounded to receive a copy of your book would be an understatement! You have done a great job of describing "how it was". And your recall of details is masterful; I doubt that I could write ten pages of my rememberances of Viet Nam.

I will treasure my autographed copy and it will not be loaned to friends (two bad experiences). Therefore, I would like to know how I may purchase two copies for loan.
Again, congratulations on a great effort.

Love, Gary McIntire

11:20 AM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Dick,

I read your book and asked my wife to read it before we discussed it.

Both of us enjoyed the read and felt the books open honesty was a breath of fresh air. So many personal accounts are used to paint a picture that suits the writer at the time of writing. The ability to write a book that appeals to me and Judy (my wife) impressed us both, the book and the way it projects the events of the time was a good read, it stirred some soul searching for me. Knowing how awkward that soul searching made me feel gave me a taste of how laying out parts of your life in a book must feel.

Thank you for sharing with us your experiences during an amazing part of your life.

Best Regards
Stephen Smith

Director Sales & Marketing

PACIFIC TURBINE BRISBANE LTD

11:23 AM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Hi Richard,

I read your book, enjoyed it and could very much relate to many of the incidents you experienced in your time over there.

I did two tours to SVN in the Australian army with 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) attached to 173d Airborne Brigade (USA) based at Bien Hoa June 1965 to June 1966 and with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) at Van Kiep, Baria south-east of Bien hoa in 1972.

What I noticed with the six years between tours was that nothing much had changed during that time.

I have been heavily involved with the local Veterans' Support and Advocacy Service Australia Inc. – Warwick, a returned servicemen’s organisation, for the last 7 years and if you come west to Warwick and have a bit of time on your hands I would like to meet you. We have a “Drop-In Centre” here that is open on Friday mornings and you and your family would be welcome to drop in any time.

A good book. Well done.

Gordon Nielson

11:36 AM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Dear Richard,

I am not a prolific reader, but I found "It's Not About The War" really interesting. I kept looking forward to the next time that I was going to do some more reading of it. I found myself going to sleep later at night and getting out of bed late learning of your experiences.
That you have found such happiness now with Sue and her children after so many 'peaks and troughs' in your life is wonderful. I admire your courage in putting your life to print so openly. I can understand why writing the book has been 'painful yet very therapeutic' for you.

I, like you, see 'greed, self-indulgence, religion and values, and aggression keeping the world on its' knees'. Perhaps we shall have the opportunity to have a chat about this at some time.

Thank you, once again, for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I look forward to catching up with you soon.
Regards
Ross

11:43 AM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Dear Richard,

It took me just 3 days to read your book. I probably should have said, “lived” your book. It gave me everything but the smell. WELL DONE!

I could write you a book about the similarities that we faced and the parallelisms that we lived through but you seemed to have already recorded this in detail.

Still can’t believe you didn’t touch any of those women that you wrote about!

Mike Thomas
Honeywell

3:38 PM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Dear Richard,

Just recently, I found a copy of your book in a second hand shop. I am taking this opportunity to tell how interesting I found your book.

I lived with a very damaged man who had two tours of Vietnam. Loving him was not enough for him. He could not pass over his grief to accept a held out hand. He tries very hard to take each day as it comes. I am so glad you have been able to write this book to give others insight to the struggle of those who have worked and lived in a war zone.

I am so glad you have found peace of mind and the joy of your family.

Many still battle nightmares and you can see in their eyes that they have lost their capacity for joy. I just hope your book happens to fall into the hands of others who need to read it.

All the best for you and those who love you.
Suzanne

3:41 PM  
Blogger Richard "Dick" Ingelido said...

Hi Dick,

A few months ago I had to travel to Wachovia Securities headquarters in Richmond VA for some meetings. There is no easy or fast way to get there from here so I knew it would be a long trip there and back. I decided it would be an excellent time to read your book. I had some idea what the book was about from talking to you, Glen Arner and Jackie Olness. What I didn't realize was how much I would enjoy the book. Once I started to read the book, I had trouble putting it down.

You have had a very interesting life Dick, to say the least. I am glad you lived to tell us about it. What an excellent legacy to leave for future generations of the Ingelido clan.


Daryl

Daryl R Nitkowski, CFP
First Vice President - Investments

3:51 PM  

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