Choice Review

Whitt (Air War College) adds to the vast literature on the Vietnam conflict through her insightful, well-researched, and valuable analysis of military chaplains. Rather than focus on what many scholars would call the nexus of two or more domains, Whitt takes a more nuanced approach by emphasizing liminality, exposing the complexity of her subject. In so doing, she explicates the variant ways military chaplains are liminal, for they are military and religious, prophetic and pastoral, moral dissenters and active participants in a divisive environment. Making extensive use of limited official documents, scattered memoirs, and interviews, the author expertly creates an insightful narrative that enables readers to arrive at their own conclusion regarding whether faith is compatible with military obligations and service to one's country. Whitt takes readers from the onset of the conflict to the agony of coming to grips with the sense of alienation felt by returning veterans, chaplains included. Her study provides a "redemptive narrative" from the chaplains' perspective and, by extension, for many tormented veterans. Chaplains were able to "cooperate without compromising"--a lesson to heal the American psyche. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. G. Donato Bentley University