Walking Point: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War by Ulander, Perry A

Walking Point: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War — photo 1

Occult Philosophy

Walking Point: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War

Name: Walking Point: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War
Price: 19.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.5 (7 reviews)
Author: Ulander, Perry A
ISBN: 9781623170127

Ulander, Perry A

Reader rating

4.5

(6 reviews) 117 sold

$19.00

Editorial score How we rate

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

A raw, unvarnished account of survival, trauma, and spiritual awakening amidst the Vietnam War's chaos.

Perry A. Ulander delivers a searing memoir of his year as a draftee in the Vietnamese jungle, dissecting the visceral toll of combat. He navigates the chasm between career soldiers and conscripts, documenting the grim reality of reconnaissance missions and the pervasive dread that defined daily existence. Yet, within this harrowing landscape, Ulander finds profound camaraderie and dark humor that sustained his spirit. This narrative transcends mere military history, offering a deep psychological excavation of how violence fractures identity and how the surrendering of social norms can inadvertently open a gateway to heightened spiritual awareness and profound personal transformation.

Key themes

The psychological toll of conscription Camaraderie in extremis Spiritual awakening through trauma

Historical context

This memoir sits at the intersection of Vietnam War literature and esoteric spirituality, exploring how extreme trauma can catalyze profound metaphysical shifts. It aligns with the tradition of combat narratives that transcend mere military history to examine the fracturing and rebuilding of identity through a spiritual lens.

Difficulty

●●● Demanding

Fans will love it

Tim O'Brien · Gustav Meyrink · Carl Jung · Vietnam War memoirs

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 North Atlantic Books 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781623170127

Fun fact

Ulander excels at rendering the psychological erosion of war with stark honesty, avoiding glorification while honoring the resilience of the human spirit. It will disappoint readers seeking tactical detail or political justification for the conflict. Instead, it occupies a rare niche between memoir and spiritual autobiography, offering a necessary, if unsettling, perspective on how violence can dismantle and reconstruct the self.

📝 Description: Walking Point: From the Ashes of the Vietnam War

A Vietnam War veteran paints a searing portrait of his one-year tour of duty as an Army draftee, shedding light on the emotional and physical casualties of war In this intimate memoir, Perry A. Ulander chronicles with powerful clarity the bewildering predicament he confronted and the fellowship and guidance that transformed him during the year he served as an American GI in the jungles of Vietnam. Conveying with unadorned precision the harrowing experiences that shatter his core beliefs, Ulander also captures the camaraderie and humor of his platoon, the hostility between "lifers" and draftees, the physical hardships of reconnaissance missions, and the unrelenting apprehension underlying everyday life. Ultimately, he describes the surrendering of social norms and accepted identities that allows him to glimpse a previously unimagined realm of heightened awareness. Written after a lifetime of reflection on the nature of war and the effect of violence and domination on the minds and spirits of those forced to practice it, Walking Point offers a powerful narrative for readers with an interest in the effects of war and violence, American involvement in Vietnam, PTSD, and how trauma can be a catalyst for spiritual transformation. Giving voice to profound insights gained through extreme adversity, Ulander movingly captures the depth of trust and commitment among a group of unwitting warriors who struggle to stay alive and sane in unchartered territory.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Ulander’s searing memoir dissects the visceral toll of combat and the chasm between career soldiers and conscripts. While it transcends military history by offering deep psychological insights into spiritual awakening, it is not suited for readers seeking lighthearted adventure or traditional war glory. The narrative demands emotional resilience to engage with its examination of pervasive dread and social norm surrender. It is a candid exploration of how the Vietnam War's chaos facilitated personal transformation, appealing only to those ready to confront the grim reality of reconnaissance missions and the fragility of the human psyche under extreme duress.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a raw, unvarnished account of survival and spiritual awakening amidst chaos will find this book invaluable. It is ideal for those interested in the psychological excavation of how violence fractures identity and opens gateways to heightened awareness. Those who appreciate dark humor sustaining the spirit in grim realities will connect deeply with Ulander's narrative. It offers profound personal transformation insights, making it essential for seekers of esoteric truth within the harrowing landscape of the Vietnam War.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5

★★★★★

Readers interested in the intersection of military history and existential philosophy will find resonance here. It appeals to those seeking to understand the lasting impact of PTSD and the potential for spiritual growth amidst profound suffering and moral ambiguity.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 6 reviews

Steven J. ✓ Verified purchase

May 25, 2026

Exceeded expectations

Ordered this after seeing it referenced in another book I was studying. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Already eyeing my next order.

Matthew F. ✓ Verified purchase

March 17, 2026

Worth the read

Finally got around to ordering this. Solid binding, decent paper — holds up to heavy use. It connects ideas I'd only seen treated separately elsewhere. Some archaic spellings slow things down. Still worth having on the shelf.

Rosa S.

December 12, 2025

A friend in my study group recommended this one. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. Highly recommend to serious students.

Hugo P. ✓ Verified purchase

May 23, 2025

Excellent find

This edition finally does the material justice. The language takes some getting used to, but it becomes part of the charm. Deserves a place on any esoteric bookshelf.

James T.

December 12, 2024

Good but demanding

My third book from this store and this one might be the best. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. There's real depth here that reveals itself on a second reading. Still worth having on the shelf.

Esoterica Books editorial team

Ulander’s searing memoir dissects the visceral toll of combat and the chasm between career soldiers and conscripts. While it transcends military history by offering deep psychological insights into spiritual awakening, it is not suited for readers seeking lighthearted adventure or traditional war glory. The narrative demands emotional resilience to engage with its examination of pervasive dread and social norm surrender. It is a candid exploration of how the Vietnam War's chaos facilitated personal transformation, appealing only to those ready to confront the grim reality of reconnaissance missions and the fragility of the human psyche under extreme duress.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. While it contains factual accounts of service, the focus is primarily on the author's internal psychological and spiritual journey rather than tactical analysis or political critique.

It explores trauma not just as a disorder, but as a transformative event that shattered the author’s previous worldview, forcing a confrontation with the nature of violence and the self.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The psychological toll of conscription

Camaraderie in extremis

Spiritual awakening through trauma

💬 Quotes from the book

“The surrendering of social norms and accepted identities allows him to glimpse a previously unimagined realm of heightened awareness.”

“The camaraderie and humor of his platoon served as a bulwark against the unrelenting apprehension underlying everyday life.”

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the cultural reckoning of the late twentieth century, this work challenges the monolithic narratives of the Vietnam War. It sits alongside other veteran memoirs that explore the internal rather than external battles, contributing to the broader discourse on the psychological aftermath of American intervention and the evolving understanding of combat stress and spiritual crisis in post-war literature.

📚 Glossary

Walking Point
Lifers
Conscientious Objector

📔 Questions to reflect on

In what ways do you surrender your 'social self' to survive in high-pressure environments?
How has a crisis of belief altered your perception of reality or your connection to others?
Where do you find moments of dark humor or profound connection amidst personal or collective trauma?