A Rift in the Earth

by James Reston

This is a short book that tells the story of the building of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. “Our nation lost its will for the war, and yet didn’t have the courage to stop it.” Maya Lin’s simple but moving memorial is a fitting tribute to those who gave there lives in this lost cause. Reston’s story of the “Art wars” that were fought over its construction is worth reading.