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Wil Haygood at Miami

The prolific author and journalist launched his newest book with Tuesday's event on campus

By Miami University

February 19^th, 2026

Haygood's 'The War Within a War’ receiving strong praise

When asked if his latest book, “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home,” was his best yet, renowned journalist, author, and educator Wil Haygood responded that it was definitely his “most timely book” before a long and thoughtful pause.

“I think I’ll simply let the New York Times speak for me,” Haygood answered. “Why not?”

Why not, indeed. Haygood’s latest work, the 10th nonfiction book by the 1976 Miami University graduate, is receiving stellar reviews from the Guardian, Booklist, and, yes, the New York Times, which praised “The War Within a War” as a “rare, illuminating look at the way the war shaped the struggle for equality back home.”

Miami celebrated “The War Within a War” with Tuesday’s “An evening with Wil Haygood: Commemorating 60 years of the Vietnam War” at Hall Auditorium. Attendees received signed books and heard from Haygood and special guests during an hourlong program moderated by Miami President Gregory Crawford.

Wil Haygood smiles, holding his book — Wil Haygood with his latest book, “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home,” during a reception on Feb. 17 at Lewis Place.

'The students inspire me'

Dorothy Harris of Cincinnati and Dr. Elbert Nelson of Columbus, Georgia, now living in Cincinnati, joined Haygood, as did his editor, Peter Gethers. Harris, a nurse, and Nelson, an Army surgeon, are featured in Haygood’s book on the Vietnam War, democracy, and the Civil Rights Movement. They shared their experiences serving in the Vietnam War with the Hall Auditorium crowd during an often powerful and emotional evening.

Haygood called Harris “one of the bravest women I’ve ever met in my life.” Of Nelson, Haygood said, “He went to war to heal people.”

He also introduced a “Nightline” segment on Army Capt. Riley Leroy Pitts, who Harris worked with in Vietnam. Pitts was the first Black officer to receive the Medal of Honor and is featured in “The War Within a War.”

Tuesday’s panel discussion was part of a week of events as Haygood, the Boadway Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence, spent time with Miami students and faculty. Around 15 students were on hand as Haygood signed thousands of books for the debut event.

“The students inspire me,” Haygood said. “We had fun chatting about life, life here at Miami. I often ask them how they are doing in school – 3.5 GPA, 3.8 GPA, 4.0 GPA. Quite different from me. I graduated summa cum lucky, and I was happy to make it out.”

Wil Haygood shakes hands with a man at Lewis Place. Haygood, in a navy suit and yellow tie, smiles. The other man, wearing glasses and a gray suit, also smiles. Large windows provide natural light. — Wil Haygood, right, greets Dr. Elbert Nelson during a reception at Lewis Place.

A collection of books by Wil Haygood are displayed on a round wooden table, likely at Lewis Place. Book titles include — Several of the books written by Wil Haygood, who graduated from Miami University in 1976.

Wil Haygood speaks at a reception in Lewis Place. Haygood, in a gray suit and tie with Miami University emblem, gestures while talking with two guests in a gray-walled room with framed photos. — Wil Haygood, left, talks with Miami University President Gregory Crawford and University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford at Lewis Place.

A unique approach to storytelling

Inspiration for the book was found from Haygood’s early life growing up in Columbus, Ohio. Six residents from Haygood’s neighborhood – he delivered newspapers to each of their homes – fought in Vietnam, including Skip Dunn, whose portrait in military helmet and fatigues graces the cover of “The War Within a War.”

That photo was a late addition, given to Haygood by Dunn’s widow, who was in attendance on Tuesday. Haygood had already completed writing “The War Within a War,” and Haygood sent the photo on to Gethers.

A few days later, Gethers reached out to the author, suggesting he also write about his experiences with Dunn, Larry Wilson, Robert Morris, brothers Charles and Jimmy Bolden, and Steve Collins. That turned into the book’s introduction.

This is the sixth time Gethers has served as Haygood’s editor.

“One of the things about being an editor with an author over a long-term relationship is there’s got to be a certain mind meld,” Gethers said. “We have to know how the other person thinks. I have to know how he thinks because I have to know how he’ll work.

“What Wil does that is unique is he takes the individuals or concepts and tells those stories, but he puts everything in a historical and sociological context. You don’t just see what’s happening. You understand why it’s happening and the importance of the event or the person that you’re reading about. That’s the way he thinks, and that’s the way he writes.”

Wil Haygood book launch event: Panel sits on stage in red chairs before a screen displaying — From left, Dorothy Harris, Dr. Elbert Nelson, Wil Haygood, Miami University President Gregory Crawford, and Peter Gethers were part of "An evening with Wil Haygood: Commemorating 60 years of the Vietnam War" held on Feb. 17 at Hall Auditorium.

“The War Within a War” explores the Vietnam War and how it mirrored the struggle of Black Americans as they fought overseas but also strove for equality in the United States.

It’s the third of Haygood’s books launched at Miami following “Tigerland: 1968-1969: A City Divided, A Nation Torn Apart, and a Magical Season of Healing” in 2018 and “Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World” in 2021.

Wil Haygood at his book launch. Two men shake hands and smile on stage. Haygood wears a light-colored suit. The other man wears a plaid vest over a white shirt. — Miami President Gregory Crawford introduces Wil Haygood to the stage at Hall Auditorium on Feb. 17.

Wil Haygood sits on stage at a book launch. Behind him is the cover of — Wil Haygood, left, discusses his new book with Miami President Gregory Crawford during the book launch event at Hall Auditorium.

Table displays stacks of Wil Haygood's book, — Copies of “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home” were available for attendees on Feb. 17.

'We hit it off'

During his introduction of Haygood on Tuesday, President Crawford recalled receiving a box of books from Jerome Conley, dean of University Libraries, prior to beginning his tenure as Miami's president in 2016. Eventually, President Crawford spotted a copy of Haygood’s “Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America.”

Soon, he would be introduced to its author.

“At that point in time, I couldn’t wait to get to Miami to meet with him and meet him in person,” President Crawford said of Haygood. “We hit it off. We shared stories, we shared values, and he was just an amazing person and an amazing alum to sit with and talk with.

“He speaks and he writes with conviction and moral clarity and moral courage. He brings those stories to life through his storytelling.”

Wil Haygood book launch: Haygood stands next to a table stacked with copies of his book, — Miami alumni Rosemary Fisher, left, and Lee Fisher helped make copies of “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home” available for attendees.

Wil Haygood signs a book at his book launch. A woman in a blue hat looks on as Haygood signs with a gold pen. — Dorothy Harris, left, who is featured in “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home” signs a book on Feb. 17.

Wil Haygood signs a book for a person holding it. Another person holds a copy of Haygood's book, — Wil Haygood met with attendees at Hall Auditorium following an hourlong program discussing his new book, “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home.”

Wil Haygood shakes hands with a smiling man holding a book at his book launch event. Haygood wears a gray suit with a Miami University lapel pin. — Wil Haygood met with attendees at Hall Auditorium following an hourlong program discussing his new book, “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home.”

Wil Haygood lectures to a class at Miami University. Students sit at desks with computers and in red chairs, listening attentively. Haygood stands near a projection screen, gesturing. — Wil Haygood interacts with students in a class with Rosemary Pennington, chair and professor of Media, Journalism, and Film.

Wil Haygood gestures while co-teaching in a classroom. He wears a dark green turtleneck sweater and corduroy pants. A student with glasses sits in the background. A poster is on the wall. — Wil Haygood talks with students in a class taught by Rosemary Pennington, chair and professor of Media, Journalism, and Film.

Wil Haygood and President Crawford record a podcast. Haygood gestures while Crawford holds Haygood's book, — Wil Haygood, left, discusses his new book during an episode of the "In Such a Place" podcast, hosted by Miami President Gregory Crawford.

Footnotes

Photos by Scott Kissell, story by Josh Chapin of University Communications and Marketing

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FootNotes

Photos by Scott Kissell, story by Josh Chapin of University Communications and Marketing

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