Bruce K. Berger, Ph.D., is a US Army Veteran, Multi Award-Winning Author, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alabama, and Former Communications Leader.
He served in the US Army from 1969 to 1971, including one year in Vietnam, where he worked in the Casualty Branch of the 101st Airborne Division in Phu Bai. As a next-of-kin editor, he wrote hundreds of sympathy letters to grieving families back home for the loss of their soldier and helped Graves Registration teams gather fallen brothers on battlefields.
His latest book, Brothers Bound, is an emotionally rich and transformative journey that showcases the brutality of war and resiliency of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges. His poetry book, Fragments: The Long Coming Home from Vietnam, was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Book of War Poetry by the Military Writers’ Society of America and named one of the 20 Best Vietnam War Books of all time by Book Authority in 2023. He is also the author of In Our Dreams We Read, which explores adult illiteracy in Alabama, and two academic books about communication leadership: Gaining Influence in Public Relations and Public Relations Leaders as Sensemakers.
Today, Berger is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alabama, where he taught communications and public relations for 17 years and was founding director of The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. He has received several national awards for his teaching and research.
Before entering academia, Berger spent 20 years as a communication leader for two global corporations. He was Director of Worldwide Human Health PR at The Upjohn Company (1975-89) and Chief Communication Officer for Whirlpool (1989-1996).. He worked on diverse projects in more than 30 countries.
This one-on-one interview shares Berger’s background and experience writing Brothers Bound.
Tell us about Brothers Bound.
How much can the human spirit endure?
Buck, a Caucasian teacher, and Hues, a multiracial street preacher, form an unlikely friendship after meeting in a bar fight near their Army training base in 1969. When their helicopter crashes later in Vietnam and they’re captured by Viet Cong soldiers, they begin to learn the power of brotherhood. Marched to a prison camp and forced into hard labor, they are beaten frequently and given little to eat or drink as they suffer a brutal life in a bamboo cage.
Each day begins with the ominous question: how can they survive another day?
They discover the gift of good memories and find great hope in Hues’ incredible life spirit that lights their darkest days.
Fourteen months after their capture, Hues damages his ankle so severely he can’t walk. With death closer than ever, they escape and begin a harrowing journey through the dense jungle filled with predators-the enemy, the wildlife, and even their fellow soldiers who may not recognize them. Buck vows to carry Hues every step until they reach safety, but can they possibly make it? Their devotion to each other drives them onward.
What inspired you to write Brothers Bound?
I was inspired to write Brothers Bound to help readers understand the incredible power of love, hope, good memories, and the human spirit that resides within each one of us. These powers can enrich our lives and those of others. Even in horrible situations, like a POW camp, we can still make positive differences in others’ lives. I learned that lesson in Vietnam in 1970, and many life experiences since then have reinforced it.
Making a difference costs us little but a breath of time. The magic is, in doing so, we grow our hearts and feed our souls.
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
I’ve wanted to write fiction and poetry since I was a university student, but life got in the way.
During my 20-year professional career as a Communications Leader, I worked in over 30 countries, so I’ve seen a lot of the world.
In this time, what struck me most is that people share far more commonalities than differences. Most seek love, want to belong, and wish to be treated well by others. My time in Vietnam also underscored that, teaching me about the fragility of life and the importance of living in the moment.
About seven years ago, I re-discovered a diary filled with images and emotions I’d written in Vietnam. That was the inspirational trigger for my Vietnam book of poems, Fragments: The Long Coming Home from Vietnam, and now the novel, Brothers Bound.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
I hope readers come away from my book with a clearer understanding of the value of making small but good differences in the world, no matter their situation in life.
We all can share laughter, hope, and love, and create good memories for one another.
The bottom line: the power and possibilities of the human spirit are infinite and awesome. We just have to live that spirit!
Purchasing the Book
Brothers Bound has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, experts and reviewers around the world. Author Charles Templeton writes, “This story not only sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of military operations but also delves deep into the human element, exploring themes of duty, brotherhood, and the indelible mark of war on the human soul.” In addition, IBM executive Mark Harris writes, “Bruce Berger delivers a triumph of storytelling about war, the bonds between soldiers, and the human spirit.”
Brothers Bound is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats. The book can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through independent bookstores nationwide. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Bound-Bruce-K-Berger/dp/B0CZ57NNBN
To connect with Bruce, purchase a copy of the book and receive updates on new book releases, visit: https://www.brucebergerbooks.com. You can also find Bruce on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
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