Book Excerpt

Ron Kovic’s Simple Talk in a Country Graveyard

Ron Kovic / Akashic Books Feb 9, 2024 Kovic’s latest book completes his Vietnam Trilogy, delving deep into his long and often agonizing journey home from war and eventual healing, forgiveness, and spiritual redemption. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )

This July 4th, Celebrate Writers Against War

Ilana Novick Jul 4, 2019 Spend the holiday reading these four anti-war Truthdig classics. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Great Con of American Patriotism

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Feb 8, 2019 In conversation with Robert Scheer, veterans Ron Kovic and Maj. Danny Sjursen trace the United States' violent trajectory since the Vietnam War. Dig deeper ( 24 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic, Oliver Stone on War, Their Parents and the American Dream (Video)

Staff / Truthdig Nov 11, 2017 The anti-war activist and the director—both Vietnam veterans—discuss the influence of their pasts on their politics today, in a conversation with Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Veteran and Anti-War Activist Ron Kovic in His Own Words (Photos)

Staff / Truthdig Nov 10, 2017 For Veterans Day 2017, Truthdig revisits a 2005 photo essay by Zuade Kaufman on American veteran, anti-war activist and writer Ron Kovic. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Veterans Reflect on the Shattering Effects of U.S. Warmongering (Video)

Staff / Truthdig Nov 10, 2017 Ron Kovic and Oliver Stone, who both served in Vietnam, share what they see as the most devastating aspects of the U.S. military-industrial complex during a conversation with Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic Explains His Opposition to Trump’s Transgender Military Ban (Video)

Staff and Ron Kovic / Truthdig Nov 10, 2017 The veteran and activist calls transgender members of the military "supremely patriotic" in a conversation about war's realities with Oliver Stone and Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

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Veterans Ron Kovic, Oliver Stone on the True Cost of War (Video & Transcript)

Staff / Truthdig Nov 9, 2017 For Veterans Day, Truthdig presents footage of the author and the film director discussing their experiences with war, peace and politics in a discussion moderated by Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer. Dig deeper ( 51 Min. Read )

Bruce Springsteen Reads His Foreword to ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ (Audio)

Staff / Truthdig Jul 5, 2017 Listen to Bruce Springsteen read his new foreword for the 40th anniversary edition of Ron Kovic's "Born on the Fourth of July," and hear the first chapter of the classic memoir. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Oliver Stone on Interviewing Putin, Documenting Snowden and Making Controversial Choices

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2017 "I never did a movie because it was good for my career," the director tells Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer in a hard-hitting conversation about filmmaking, America's military exploits, Russia and other topics. (Transcript added.) Dig deeper ( 25 Min. Read )

A Conversation About War and Peace With Ron Kovic, Robert Scheer and Chris Hedges

KiMi Robinson / Truthdig Oct 19, 2016 The author of “Born on the Fourth of July” met with the Truthdig journalists at the University of Southern California on Oct. 18 to talk about his latest book, “Hurricane Street,” and how he became a peace activist. Truthdig broadcast the discussion live on Facebook. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic: ‘Why I Wrote “Hurricane Street” ‘ (Video)

Staff / Truthdig Aug 8, 2016 “The care we were receiving at the hospital at the time was in many cases abusive," so "150 paralyzed men in wheelchairs, but also veterans from other parts of the hospital, some nurses, some caregivers, aides who had courage and their own reason to protest,” organized in Vietnam veterans' interests. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )