2006-06-29T14:23:00.013+10:00

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.