Barry Heard

Barry has spoken at Scotch Literature Festivals several times, and his presentation always has a profound effect on the boys in attendance. He tells the very personal and sad story of one soldier's experience of the Vietnam War - his own. However, his tragic description of returning home to a country that disowned him is even more disheartening, and gives a voice to every soldier who went to that war. His book Well Done Those Men is now listed as a classic and taught in over 150 high schools in Australia in both History and English - even the White House has a copy!

Workshop ( Year 9, Year 10 ): To hell and back: a summary of the Vietnam War (double workshop)

Accompanied by slides, Barry will talk about growing up in the high country, fighting in Vietnam and returning home to rejection and abuse. Finally, he will describe his breakdown and the way that writing helped his recovery.