The Wall: Images and Offerings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This volume, to be published on the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the national shrine, includes photographs by freelance photographer Lopes and 16 other photojournalists, and excerpts of letters placed at the wailing wall by families, friends and war buddies of the dead and missing whose names are engraved there""the mystery of death writ in stone 58,132 times.'' This American family album is deeply moving in its simplicity: ``Damn you, brotherwhy didn't you come back? . . . I still love you, and I'd love you if you came back in one piece, or your arms or legs or mind gone.'' Among the 75 poignant color and black-and-white pictures photographed with respect, a child is lifted by a veteran to plant a kiss on a name; flowers, teddy bears, flags and uniforms grace the polished black granite. In his introduction, Vietnam veteran and freelance writer Norman discusses the controversy over the Wall's design and mourns a friend who substituted for him on patrol: ``He may have died for his country or for his God or for nothing at all. For a long time, I thought he died for me.'' 150,000 first printing; BOMC featured selection. (November 11)