Reading Paul Zerby's novel The Grass brought back many memories for me. His description of life at the University of Minnesota reminded me of my college experiences while in ROTC during another controversial "conflict" ... Vietnam. Zerby skillfully explains the history of the Korea conflict and the conflicting opinions about it. He puts a human picture on the horrors of war and forces the reader to experience the unimaginable suffering of boys sent off to combat. This novel, while entertaining, needs to be read by those wishing to understand the brutal nature of war and the incredible sacrifices made by the miniscule percentage of the population who actually fight them.
Dennis W.Schulstad, Air Force Brigadier General, retired Minnesota State Chair, Emeritas, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), 20067-08 National President, University of Minnesota Alumni Assn.
Dennis W.Schulstad, Air Force Brigadier General, retired
Minnesota State Chair, Emeritas, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), 20067-08 National President, University of Minnesota Alumni Assn.
Paul Zerby has written a forceful and absorbing coming of age novel set in the historic moment of our immediate post WWII cold war and red scare conflicts. The novel is historically accurate in perfectly capturing the tensions of the firing of an African American Professor at the University of Minnesota for political reasons and the impact it had on the lives of its characters. This event propels our protagonist into Korea as an infantryman during the bloody battles raging without reason before the cease fire of 1953. The compelling personal lives of the novel's characters are perfectly integrated with the historical events of the time--events which continue to affect us to this day.
Hy Berman, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Minnesota
Paul Zerby has written a rich, satisfying novel, full of memorable characters, sharp, realistic scenes, and the heart-thumping drama of love and war. The Grass captures perfectly the social and political milieu of the fifties, and brings history to life in its vivid depiction of the Korean War, a "neglected" war in terms of literature. Ultimately its anti-war message is as timely today as it was 50 years ago. Zerby has given us a compelling story with a lot of heart.
Paulette Bates Alden, author of Feeding the Eagles and Crossing the Moon.
Paul Zerby has created a powerful and captivating volume of writing. Raw in its unexpurgated form. Sometimes shocking. It masterfully and successfully presents a microcosm of the early 1950’s USA during the Korea War. As an infantry veteran of that war, I can personally relate to much of what Zerby wrote. It’s not for the faint of heart. Nor does it communicate in lofty words. Rather, it’s below the clouds, down to earth, occasionally bloody, but with a satisfying outcome. I heartily recommend it.
Donald E. Montgomery, Edina, MN
Paul Zerby's The Grass is a vividly engaging rumination on a 1950s America Zerby's coming-of-age novel allows us to journey along with young Tom Kelly as he seeks to more deeply comprehend his Catholic upbringing in Fargo, North Dakota, protests the treatment of the University of Minnesota's lone Black faculty member (a fictionalized account of real events), agonizes over relationships with two very different women, and attempts to survive service in Korean War battles that are "like the Fourth of July in hell." Kelly becomes haunted by several ghosts stemming from his decision to stand up to racial injustice – in multiple locales – but he never loses his integrity and ability to dream for a better tomorrow. I recommend it highly!
Walt Jacobs Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of African American & African Studies, University of Minnesota
The Grass brings to life the saga of an American Midwesterner, who in his own words, talks about going to Korea as a young boy and coming back as a grown man. Anyone who reads this book will gladly join the young soldier’s most remarkable journey, which changed the course of his life entirely. Tom Kelly’s journey to war-torn Korea may not be the most exciting subject matter for anyone to write about, however, Paul Zerby did an excellent job of weaving many interesting characters’ life stories into an impressive novel. The readers will quickly empathize with all the characters in the book, who are all very typical Americans, regardless of their backgrounds. Whether Paul Zerby intended or not, Tom Kelly’s story is a tale of acceptance and rejection, of struggle and success, which is unique yet most common among all of us. The novel promises to be a major step forward in our collective understanding of the forgotten war, and how it impacted the lives of young Americans five decades ago.
Woodrow “Wooj” Byun, former President of the Korean Association of Minnesota
A well-written, authentic account of the GI experience during the Korean War. At the time pretty much ignored, and then forgotten, historians have recently ascribed to this conflict a more important place in history.
B.G. Schwartzbauer, 25th Infantry Division, Korea, 1951-52
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