The Frog Hunter, A Story About the Vietnam War, an Inkblot Test and a Girl
by TB Stamper
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Pub Date Oct 21 2021 | Archive Date Apr 14 2022
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Description
The Frog Hunter: A Story about the Vietnam War, an Inkblot Test and a Girl, is a memoir that reads stranger than fiction.
The author takes his readers on a fascinating, often humorous, and emotionally moving journey from deadly Ranger missions in Vietnam, to betrayal by his superior officers at Fort Ord, to the inside of an Army psychiatric ward.
With a chaotic mind, trying to make sense of the war, Stamper is in a desperate search for truth.
He turns to the hippie culture, attracted by their message of love and enlightenment. Unexpectedly, he meets a beautiful girl; the love of his life. The happiness that life now offers him is threatened by the war that consumes his mind and heart. He wants the girl and he wants a future. But how can he find his way back to normal?
Written in powerful prose, the story reveals how war wounds the soul, but then hope emerges, kindled within the tangled aftermath of trauma and loss.
TB Stamper (Bart) is the author of a new memoir, The Frog Hunter: A Story About the Vietnam War, an Inkblot Test and a Girl. He grew up in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the son of devoted classic car enthusiasts, Jack and Shirley. When he was old enough to cruise around in his ’41 Ford pickup, speed bumps began to appear up and down the neighborhood streets. While cooling off his engine at the local drive-in, Bart explored his love of writing, fervently scribbling poems, satirical stories, and parodies on tiny scraps of paper while sipping cinnamon colas. He continued to write throughout his tour in Vietnam, his marriage, family, union construction gigs, and a career in executive management. Bart won two Florida Writer’s Association awards: First Place, Best Autobiography, and First Place Runner-up, Best Inspirational/Spiritual. During the Vietnam War, he served as an Army LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) with the November Company Rangers, 75th Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Bart lives in New England with his lovely wife of fifty years. They have two grown sons and four fabulous grandchildren.
Advance Praise
“For me, it’s the best war memoir book of this year.”–Goodreads Review
The MPs would come to pick up the young soldier by morning light, so he did what the Army had taught him to do so well; when surrounded by the enemy, run an escape and evasion route. By the time they came for him, he had vanished. Out in the wilds, on that lonely trip to nowhere, there appeared a girl, and love divine. “Visceral, tangible, powerful.” “The sensory details are off the hook.” –Amazon Reviews.
"I gladly recommend the book to readers interested in memoirs, the Vietnam War, and the general feel of the 1960-1970s. I gladly recommend the book to writers willing to enrich their vocabulary. For me, it's the best war memoir book of this year.
I couldn't put this book down. It is filled with suspense and really gives the reader a blunt and honest view of what a soldier's experience in Vietnam really looked and felt like. The sensory details are off the hook. Unexpectedly, it also gave me a ton of empathy and insight re: my stepfather and the things that haunted him post-Vietnam. My favorite line from the book: ""From the scurrying feet of a timid field mouse to the careful padding of an enemy boot, the night felt all.""
Once you start reading this book, it's hard to put down. I would categorize it among the best books that I have every read (And I have read a lot). It, has everything...a true story...a real war...the limits that a person can bear...and a happy ending. Good material for a movie!
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798985053807 |
| PRICE | $9.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jennifer T, Reviewer
The Frog Hunter is a memoir that reads stranger than fiction. TB Stamper tells of his journey from deadly Ranger missions in Vietnam to the inside of an Army psychiatric ward to his involvement in the Jesus Movement and subsequent transformation. Throughout it all, the book reads like a novel with plenty of action and soul searching.
One thing I didn't like is the violence. The war scenes are quite vivid.
I also would have liked to read more about his life after his army experiences. Maybe that could be volume 2? TB Stamper found the pearl of great price, and I want to hear more about his experiences walking with this treasure.
This book addresses issues like freedom, bravery, longing, loss, grief, disappointment, calling, and love. It's a story of anguish and imprisonment, plus joy and freedom. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to readers who like a touching story of humanity.
E B, Reviewer
This is a memoir written in the style of a fiction novel told in the first person point of view (the author’s) and this is very effective. The author tells his story in a very cohesive and easy style and does not shy away from talking about his emotions but doesn’t descend into sappiness. His descriptions are brilliant and I was able to clearly visualise what was happening and where.
It’s a book that will be memorable to me. I’ve always had empathy for the Vietnam veterans because of the lack of recognition and support that they received compared with veterans of other wars. To have survived the war in Vietnam and then to feel alienated and unable to talk about it because it was the war no one wanted to hear about, and wouldn’t understand anyway, must have been hell in itself. I’m glad the author was able to find the right people to help him on his journey to healing.
I highly recommend this book, even if it’s a subject you have no interest in. I think you will become quite invested in the story.
