Welcome to the website. My name is Kent Hinckley, and I wrote the novel Hearts, Minds, and Coffee. People have frequently asked me, “Why did you write about Vietnam?” Believe me, I've asked myself the same question. I didn't want to dig up those memories.
One day, while writing a different story, the idea of enemies working in the central highlands popped into my head. Now I'm trying to forget Vietnam, but this story just wouldn't go away. Finally, I started writing it down.
In essence, four antiwar soldiers were assigned as a reconnaissance patrol in Vietcong territory to support a nearby American regiment. The higher-ups expected them to be killed, because that's what happened to the previous unit. To survive, these four misfits had to assume a different mindset from army training and deal with the local village, whose loyalties rested with the Vietcong.
The story is fictional, but the time coincided with my assignment to Nha Trang in 1969.
I gained three benefits from writing this novel. First, I made peace with my memories — or at least we established a truce. Second, I spoke with friends who had served in Vietnam and learned about their experiences; in the past, many were reluctant to talk about their tours of duty. And the third benefit: I got to honor three friends who died in the service of their country, and dedicated the book to them.
I hope you enjoy the story.
