Author and Vietnam War veteran Aaron McCammon, in his powerful debut novel, THE WALL (THE WAR AND BEYOND), takes readers on an unforgettable journey into the emotional scars of combat and the long, difficult path toward healing.
Set in 1966, the story follows Mark “Doc” Holliday, a college football star with a bright future and a promising life ahead—until tragedy strikes. Lost in grief and with nothing left to lose, Doc is drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to fight in Vietnam. On the battlefield, he faces relentless horrors that push him to the brink of giving up life. But it’s when he returns home that he meets his most dangerous enemy, his own mind.
Haunted by trauma, Doc struggles with the invisible wounds of war. At a VA hospital, he confronts his fears, and what he uncovers challenges everything he thought he knew. As the truth behind his PTSD begins to unravel, Doc finds himself in a fight not only for his sanity but for his life.
Inspired by McCammon’s own combat experience and long-standing battle with PTSD, THE WALL (THE WAR AND BEYOND) is a deeply personal story of survival, resilience, and the cost of war. It is a rare, unflinching look at the emotional aftermath many veterans face. While the novel is fictionalized, it remains grounded in truth, drawn from the author’s lived experience and written to help others understand the mental toll of combat.
This book will resonate with readers interested in the personal impact of military service. It speaks to the emotional weight of PTSD, the complexities of the healing process, and the enduring strength required to survive long after the battle is over.
For McCammon, finishing this book was more than a literary milestone—it was a personal victory.
“Every step I’ve taken since I left Vietnam in 1968, I’ve made sure I could take the next one,” says McCammon. “Writing this book was one of those steps. I hope it helps others take theirs.”
THE WALL (THE WAR AND BEYOND) is now available on Amazon.
About the Author:
Aaron McCammon was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and currently resides in Orange Beach, Alabama. A veteran of the Vietnam War, McCammon later pursued a career in emergency management. He began writing in the 1990s, driven by a desire to give voice to the challenges faced by veterans like himself.