Home Before Morning

The Story of an Army Nurse in Vietnam

De: Lynda Van Devanter

Narrado por: Ann Sprinkle

Lynda Van Devanter was the girl next door, the cheerleader who went to Catholic schools, enjoyed sports, and got along well with her four sisters and parents. After high school she attended nursing school and then did something that would shatter her secure world for the rest of her life: in 1969, she joined the army and was shipped to Vietnam. When she arrived in Vietnam her idealistic view of the war vanished quickly. She worked long hours in cramped, ill-equipped, understaffed operating rooms. She saw friends die.

After one traumatic year, she came home, a Vietnam veteran. Coming home was nearly as devastating as the time she spent in Asia. Nothing was the same—including Lynda herself. Viewed by many as a murderer instead of a healer, she felt isolated and angry. The anger turned to depression; like many other Vietnam veterans she suffered from delayed stress syndrome. The war that was fought physically halfway around the world had become a personal, internal battle.

Home Before Morning is the story of a woman whose courage, stamina, and personal history make this a compelling autobiography. It is also the saga of others who went to war to aid the wounded and came back wounded—physically and emotionally—themselves. And, it is the true story of one person's triumphs: her understanding of, and coming to terms with, her destiny.

©1983, 2001 Lynda Van Devanter (P)2023 Tantor

thank you Lynda

I am a Nam combat wounded vet and I just want to thank you cuz I have a little bit of understanding now why I have that empty feeling. To be honest getting shot up and spending 2 years at army VA hospitals they managed to put me back together, at least physically. I did the same as you, after learning a few hard lessons I denied I was ever in Vietnam. The problem was after about 20 years I couldn't remember anything and thought all my nightmares were my vivid imagination. Now I'm rated with 100% p&t disability. I have three diseases resulting from agent Orange spraying, yes we were sprayed not once but twice. So along with my gunshot wounds in the PTSD they wanted to know where I've been all these years and how I could possibly manage. I told him it was simple I had seven children I got up in the morning went to work as a paramedic for 30 years and supported my family how about you. you made me feel better when you told me about who you how you fought on and went to work. I stopped going to counseling about a year ago I felt I wasn't getting anything after reading your book and learning about your empty feeling I think I understand mine a little better I'm empty because I want to remember and maybe I need to remember so I can forget and get on with my life albeit I'm 75 years old. So thank you Lynda from the bottom of my heart. I wish you well and you will get better cuz God would not burden you any more than you are and you and I and their brothers and sisters have already been through hell you get well soon and God bless.

Great story

It was a great book, especially the nursing aspect. But the epilogue was very long.

Brutally honest and informative

I loved listening to this book. I have read it twice, but never had the feeling’s surface as when I listened to it. Thank you Linda for your courage and the life you gave to our United States of America. You are wonderful.

The reality and detail takes you there.

The narrator, unfortunately, I found to bland and hard to listen to. Very little emotion in her voice.

Thank you for your service Lynda!

Incredible autobiographical journey! I could feel what she was going through. I have a whole new respect for Vietnam, war, and veterans. I was never taught much at all about Vietnam; it was sort of skipped over in school. I have now been educated.