Vietnam Fantasies

All the stories in this collection from Stephen King are related to the Vietnam War. King fans will recognize echoes of The Dark Tower series in the collection's first story, "Low Men in Yellow Coats." As the characters develop over the next four stories, King's version of the Vietnam War becomes one of his most frightening tales ever.

In 40 CE, in the Au Lac region of ancient Vietnam, two daughters of a Vietnamese Lord fill their days training, studying, and trying to stay true to Vietnamese traditions. While Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling in her duty, Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned with spending time in the gardens and with lovers. But these sister's lives—and the lives of their people—are shadowed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They are forced to adopt Confucian teachings, secure marriages, and pay ever‑increasing taxes.

They killed his men and destroyed his village, now hunter turned soldier Sergeant Joel Bwana Sutton is out to make things right no matter the cost. Together with a band of unscrupulous mercenaries, he will travel into the fabled Dark Lands to put an end to the unknown species of ape that took everything that ever mattered from him.

Sargent Lance Peterson is a Marine recruiter giving a talk a private high school. He offers a physical challenge to any student who disagrees with his position on the Vietnam War. One sixteen year old student stands up and accepts the challenge. His name is Henry Olson. Henry is a young martial arts expert and high school wrestling champion. He is determined to not be bullied by this Marine. Will the challenge be fulfilled? Barwell Hollings presents this action packed tale that builds to an inevitable confrontation. Along the way you will experience plenty of martial arts action.

On the beach near his home, private investigator Wil Hardesty is approached by a Vietnamese fisherman. Vinh Tien is not convinced that the disappearance at sea of his only son was the accident it was ruled. Wil, a Vietnam vet, resisting the ghosts of a past war, decides to help Vinh Tien because Wil, too, lost a son to the ocean.

"After Dinner Conversation" Magazine - July 2021 Taps: A draft dodging trumpet player seeks redemption by playing at veteran funerals. The Perfect Daughter: Jane confronts her parents over the holidays after learning they genetically enhanced her at conception. Blackorwhite: A lactose intolerant inmate tells his story to, and befriends, the doctor assigned to look after him. The Devil You Know: The literal devil is found peacefully strolling small town America on vacation with his family. The Fortune Teller: An otherworldly fortune teller pushes determinism, while feeding off the emotions ...

This is the second installment in the Wars of the United States series. The Vietnam War follows the story of countless soldiers, sailors, and Marines who gave their lives in the fight to preserve freedom for future generations of Americans.