Not Yet At Ease
 David Chananie
 (Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
 2002 Capturelife Press
 ISBN: 0971138559

Photographs of America's Continuing Engagement With the Vietnam War.

This is magnificent album offers exquisite glimpses of all that makes the U.S. a place of wonder, strife & personal freedom.

From the Washington Monument bathed in sunlight before dark storm clouds to sepia-toned documentary images of our Warriors walking atop the dikes of Vietnam's rice fields...
...from a woman tracing a name on the Vietnam War Memorial to a White House washed in winter colors...
...into the black & white world of long ago when our parents protested...
...in the age of sex, drugs & rock & roll...
...Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated...
...riots & looting shattered America's peaceful vision of itself...
...when our police force & national guard were called to protect & defend against our own children...
...& the symbol of peace was everywhere...
...when people massed in protest...
...& presidents huddled with their cabinet members in confusion...
...meanwhile, “over there” in a far away country, our brothers were facing life & death as they leapt from helicopters into hell.

What was it like “over there” in Southeast Asia?
How did we worship? Bathe? Eat, & read letters from home?
Who were the “Grunts” & what were their stories?
& who were we fighting -- the Viet Cong?
Who was there to give aid?

Then we come to A Place to Meet and to Heal -- the Vietnam Memorial.
...before this Wall of Names I have stood & said my prayers for the young men I knew who came home broken in body & soul, or in body bags...
...before this wall, generations leave mementos for their fallen loved ones creating an altar of this severe, dignified facade...
...here we grieve, hug & breathe...
...here children come to meet their fathers, wives to mourn husbands, parents to honor sons.

& then we remember the POWS & MIAs.

David Chananie's evocative collection of photographs taken from the National Archives, as well as his commentaries, show us how we are still Not Yet At Ease with who we once were & what we once had to do. It is to be treasured, revisited & taken to heart.

Dr. Chananie tested new weapons systems & technologies for the U. S. Army. He spent 20 years as a government research analyst. As a member of the American Society of Picture Professionals & the National Press Photographers Association, he has published photos & articles in both the art-related & general press.

To view 150+ additional photos visit his website:
www.NotYetAtEase.com & tell him Rebecca sent you.
(09/07/03)

Rebecca