“Stories from War: Vietnam” is a 134-page paperback with a retail price of $15 (hardcover $28, eBook $10). The ISBN is 979-8-88729-037-9.

“Stories from War: Vietnam,” a new book by Mesa resident John S. O’Connor II, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc.

Based on real stories and real people, “Stories from War: Vietnam” details the brutality of the Vietnam War through a series of short stories, according to a release.

“From the horrors of war, the immense loneliness, to small moments of levity, each story is a reminder that soldiers, on both sides of a war, are people; men fighting for their lives and to make their way back home. Within these tales lies just a glimpse into a nightmarish world only a brave few heroes have ever witnessed,” it states.

O’Connor is a retired infantry officer, airborne ranger and a decorated combat veteran. He spent tours in the 82nd Airborne, 509th Airborne, 8th Division, 4th Division and 51st RCAT in Vietnam.

The author worked with some of the world’s most elite military and law enforcement units, and his career has taken him to six continents, 35 countries and all 50 states. In his civilian life, O’Connor was the creator and director of the World SWAT Challenge, the US National SWAT Championships, and has been instrumental in developing several other competitive and high-speed training properties for the police, fire and military. He has also produced, written and done on-camera work for more than 15 TV programs.

O’Connor has a doctorate in exercise physiology from Arizona State University and is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, where he has held several leadership positions. An avid sportsman, he has run more than 10 marathons and triathlons, made more than 100 parachute jumps, 500 scuba dives, bicycled across the U.S., climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and skied all over North America and Europe.

O’Connor writes as a hobby and lives with his wife Ellen and their cattle dog Maizy in Mesa.

“Stories from War: Vietnam” is a 134-page paperback with a retail price of $15 (hardcover $28, eBook $10). The ISBN is 979-8-88729-037-9. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Go to bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/stories-from-war-vietnam-pb/.