WORDS AND IMAGES : Revisiting Vietnam : An Ojai author tells the true story of his combat experiences with reconnaissance patrols in his new book, ‘Recondo.’

In his book “Recondo,” which graphically describes his own experiences fighting with the all-volunteer long-range reconnaissance patrols in Vietnam, Ojai author Larry Chambers takes issue with the press, war protesters and the “billion-dollar Hollywood war machine with its army of writers and producers.” He writes, “It is time to set the record straight about our involvement in Vietnam and give credit to the veterans who contributed to the defeat of communism.”

Published by Ballantine/Ivy, “Recondo” is part of a military series of nonfiction books written by, about and from the viewpoint of the common soldier. “War is a miserable endeavor,” says editor Owen Lock, “but there will never be enough books written by the men and women who fought in wars and went to Vietnam because they accepted military service as the price of citizenship.” The book also tells of the brutalization of “ordinary” people in times of war and graphically describes encounters with enemy soldiers. In one such episode Chambers writes:

“He was kneeling. He turned his head to talk to someone behind him--that was a mistake! I fired three rounds into the side of his head which exploded like a melon.” The book, which sells for $4.99, includes photographs, maps and detailed descriptions of how special forces are trained. Chambers will be autographing Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Ojai Table of Contents bookstore, 208 E. Ojai Ave.

Musician Seabury Gould of Ojai will entertain children of all ages with his “Around the World Stories and Songs” Friday at 3 p.m. in the Wright Library, 57 Day Road, Ventura.

There may still be time to register for the Society of Children’s Book Writers annual conference, according to Jean Stangl of Camarillo, regional adviser to the Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter. The conference is scheduled Aug. 8-11 at the Doubletree Hotel, Marina del Rey. The four-day event will feature panels of children’s book writers and editors who will share their expertise about creating and marketing stories for young people. For those who are unable to attend, the local chapter will sponsor a one-day conference in October. For membership or registration information write to Jean Stangl, 1658 Calle La Cumbre, Camarillo, 93010, or call 482-1075.