2011 Disney Princesses mini Box Calendar Book

One way that GIs sent to Vietnam expressed their dissatisfaction with their crappy situation was through etchings on their Zippo lighters. This book contains scores of images of these Zippos with great commentary. These lighters were something with which GIs could really say what was on their minds-- they didn't have to fear being reprimanded by higher-ups who would never see them. The inscriptions are moving, sad, ambivalent, contradictory, often hilarious, sometimes disturbing, and most of all honest. Check it out-- you can read it in less than an hour, and it's pretty moving.

Some of my favorites inscriptions (not including the funny X-rated ones):

"Why Me" (with a peace sign image)

"When I Die Bury Me Face Down So the Whole World Can Kiss My Ass"

"Unity - Black Power" (with a fist image)

"Brothers and Sisters Stay Black"

"Give Me Your Hearts and Minds or I Will Wreck Your Fucking Huts"

"A Friend With Weed is a Friend Indeed"

"Being in the Army is Like Using a Rubber It Gives You a Feeling of Security While You're Getting Fucked"

"Peace Love"

"Pray for Peace and Put a Lifer Out of a Job"

"We the Unwilling Led by the Unqualified To Kill the Unfortunate Die for the Ungrateful"

"No More... No Night Patrols, No Ambushes in the Pass.. You can Take Your Eagle, Globe, Anchor & Cram It Up Your Ass"

"To Mom From a Lonely Paratrooper"

"I Came Here and Left Behind a Nice Family and a Wonderful Girl Whom I love But Someday I Will Go Home"

"When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power Only Then Will There Be a Chance for True Peace"