Author Description

Of all the books to come out of Vietnam, "Trip Across The Pond" is extraordinarily different and down to earth by way of details and the human-interest aspect; which bring us into the story almost as if we were there. It is a striking blend done in a vivid style that provides us with a slant on the psyche of the times, a dramatic and moving recantation. Thomas K. DuGan begins with an operation then flashes back to a time before induction into the Armed Forces. We learn about incidental experiences, absurdities that have not be revealed to us before. DuGan takes us through four straight-leg infantry divisions covering area as; Camp Bear Cat, Ben Hoa, Long Benh, Saigon, Bien Dong island, Dau Tieng, Camp Rainier, Tay Ninh and Cam Ranh Bay. By writing "TAP" DuGan has made himself a place on the shelf beside Remarque, Graves, Mailer, Sajer, Hagerman, Caputo, Santoli, Kovic, Hasford and Hieneman, all whom would no doubt agree- DuGan's book belongs to the brotherhood. Thomas K. DuGan states, "In 'Trip Across The Pond' there is no gory. We as a society don't need that. Instead, I painted the absurdities/insanity's experienced by me -there is no heresy. By revealing the absurdities/insanity's; experienced by me, the soldiers day to day struggle for survival, his hand tied behind his back, drugs pushed down his throat, will give all people a better understanding thus bridging the gap between the soldier and them."