About the Book

Richard Pena's first book, Last Plane Out of Saigon, is now available in paperback and as a multi-format ebook, published by Amazon. The book is a real-time account of the anger, resistance and resilience forged by the horrors he witnessed as a draftee working in the operating room of Vietnam's largest military hospital. In addition, 6% of all profits will go towards benefiting veterans.
LAST PLANE OUT OF SAIGON is a faithful reproduction of the journal Richard kept in the operating room of Vietnam's largest military hospital during the final year of the war. Supporting historical and political context is provided by award-winning scholar, John Hagan. Richard’s entries were written in real time and, as they chronicle the last desperate year of this tragic war, present readers with a better understanding of the complicated final year of the Vietnam War from the inside, looking out. A year that tragically remains unfamiliar to most Americans.
This landmark book describes, in part, the hasty departure of American troops from Vietnam but is timely now as America again withdraws from war. It is a gripping real-time account of the anger, resistance and resilience forged in one man by the horrors of Vietnam witnessed up close, in graphically human terms, touching on mistakes that were made then and which our country continues to make today. The reader will feel the weight of this compelling account, as the Vietnam War continues to plague the consciousness of our country. All Americans should read this important piece of history, bound to leave them with chills.
LAST PLANE OUT OF SAIGON is a faithful reproduction of the journal Richard kept in the operating room of Vietnam's largest military hospital during the final year of the war. Supporting historical and political context is provided by award-winning scholar, John Hagan. Richard’s entries were written in real time and, as they chronicle the last desperate year of this tragic war, present readers with a better understanding of the complicated final year of the Vietnam War from the inside, looking out. A year that tragically remains unfamiliar to most Americans.
This landmark book describes, in part, the hasty departure of American troops from Vietnam but is timely now as America again withdraws from war. It is a gripping real-time account of the anger, resistance and resilience forged in one man by the horrors of Vietnam witnessed up close, in graphically human terms, touching on mistakes that were made then and which our country continues to make today. The reader will feel the weight of this compelling account, as the Vietnam War continues to plague the consciousness of our country. All Americans should read this important piece of history, bound to leave them with chills.