Review: Silent Spring – Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War by Patrick Hogan

As one of the darkest periods in America history, the Vietnam War continues to fascinate new generations. In Silent Spring – Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War, author Patrick Hogan pulls back another curtain on that brutal conflict, and the battles that it is still causing today.

Many people are cursorily familiar with the devastating use of chemical weapons in Vietnam by the American military, including the widespread application of napalm and Agent Orange in defoliation campaigns. Savagely effective, but relatively untested, this attack strategy by America remains one of the dark marks on US history.

In this book, Hogan takes readers back to his own experiences in Vietnam, and his exposure to potentially deadly herbicides and pesticides. Some of these substances were used in weaponized form, and others were simply meant to make the environment of Vietnam more suitable to foreign fighters. Either way, there is no denying that the irresponsible use of such chemicals during that conflict had far-reaching effects, lasting even until today.

By shedding light on this controversial piece of the past, Hogan illuminates a frightening secret, and offers a dire warning, demonstrating that the effects of the Vietnam War are still with us. What many people may not know is that some of those same chemicals used with such brutal efficiency in Vietnam are still being used by companies and in products people use every day. Hogan wrote this book to bring the truth to the surface, but also to warn others of such careless acts in the future, and his story is both tragic and persuasive.

Offering an interesting cross-section of historical recollection and investigative journalism, Hogan’s perspective is rich, passionate, and backed up with extensive research. There is an inherent bias to the story because of the author’s own experience, but the information is still presented in a clear and cogent way. Hogan writes with authority in a straightforward manner, with beautiful splashes of personality and aesthetic color that hold the story together. The book ropes in readers with a personal and engaging writing style, while still educating readers about history and its present-day implications.

While the book could have come across as the plaintive ramblings of a veteran with a score to settle, it is instead a poignant and professionally investigated exposé on a secret that is still being swept under the rug. Hogan goes far below the surface of what most people already know about Vietnam, making this book a revelatory and challenging read, even if you are familiar with the subject. You won’t finish this book with a particularly positive feeling about the American military, but you will likely leave with a far deeper respect for those who take orders on the ground.

Some of the chapters drag a bit in its repetition, and a solid editing sweep may be able to tighten up the writing, but generally, there are few wasted words. Balancing between memory and investigation, this uniquely eye-opening book is one that will haunt readers, particularly Americans, whether they have served in the military or not.