Publishers Weekly Gives Just Released Vietnam Satire Novel NAM-A-RAMA by Phillip E. Jennings a Starred Review

Published as the military and its actions abroad are under intense scrutiny, this highly entertaining, provocative lampooning of the Vietnam War is reminiscent of Catch-22 and David Mamet's Wag the Dog. In this wonderfully irreverent novel, evocative of vintage Max Shulman, hearty belly laughs contrast with chilling insights into high level political machinations." Publishers Weekly **starred review

(PRWEB) February 26, 2005 -- About the book:
As the war in Iraq intensifies, resembling Vietnam more and more every day, the Vietnam War has taken on renewed relevance in our diplomacy, our politics, and our culture. Amidst the buzz, author Phillip Jennings turns the pundits on their heads with his hilarious new novel: NAM-A-RAMA (A Forge Hardcover; $24.95; March 2005)
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Phillip Jennings piloted over 300 helicopter missions in Vietnam and left the Marines at the rank of captain. He later flew for Air America and served in the CIA. Like Joseph Heller and Richard Hooker before him, Jennings did his duty, and did it with his eyes wide open. He takes readers away from the talking heads on their TVs and into the life of a real soldier: an unpredictable and surreal world of fear and friendship where nothing seems to make sense, like a twisted Alice in Wonderland with napalm and land mines.

Join Marine lieutenant Jack Armstrong and his unpredictable buddy Gearheardt as the Vietnam War is cooked up at a White House pizza party. When the conflict quickly escalates, President Larry Bob Jones sends the boys on a secret mission with anti-war movie star Barbonella to meet Uncle Ho. Their trip to Hanoi takes them into deadly combat in South Vietnam and wild misadventures that propel their story forward in a boisterous satiric rush. Not since Catch-22 has there been such a laugh-out-loud anti-epic capturing so brilliantly and tragically the absurdities of modern war.

Jim Taylor, co-writer of the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated screenplay Sideways, winner of the Golden Globe for the screenplay of About Schmidt, and Oscar nominee for Election says:

"Jennings has dared to go where few writers have gone before and returned a hero. With a wit as savage and devastating as napalm, he's barbecued the sacred cows grazing on the White House lawn and exposed the hideous, hilarious truth buried beneath its richly fertilized surface. This painfully funny book proves once again that behind every tragedy there's a unruly comedy patiently waiting for just the right moment to sneak up, kick the tragedy in the ass, and run like hell."

"Set during a pivotal time in U.S. history and populated by a bizarre cast of characters, Phillip Jennings' zany novel is cynical, fast-paced, irreverent, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining." Bob Kerrey, President, New School University.

For more information, to contact the author or to purchase the book please go to www.namarama.com.

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