You Gotta Read . . .

I am heavily, deeply, seriously prejudiced.

My prejudice is that I love just about anything that has to do with Việt Nam,  but sometimes you run into something that is above the rest – and something others can share.

My friend and former teaching colleague Duong Lam Anh contributed to a new book.  Lam Anh is an exceptional writer.  Though his native tongue is Vietnamese, he writes in English and Vietnamese.  Take a look at his blog and read many of his insights into his own culture.  (I link to his blog - look to the left.)

I would have loved the book even if Lam Anh were the only contributor I knew, but I also found pieces by my friend James Sullivan.  James, his wife Thuy, and their two children live in Huê six months a year and we were honored to be invited to their home on occasion.  Jim's book "Over the Moat:  Love Among the Ruins of Imperial Vietnam" is also a must-read  Another contributor is Steve Jackson who authored the blog “Our Man in Hanoi”  when I lived in Huê.  Steve and I swapped many an email.  Another contributor is Dana Sachs, author of "House on Dream Street".     Finally, there is even a piece about my very good friend Mr. Cu.  Michael Burr describes Cu’s talent – and the Mandarin Café.

Pick it up at Amazon – you want this book:  "To Vietnam With Love:  A Travel Guide for the Connoisseur."

Comments

[Bruce Burton]

With your keen observation, your deep sensitivity to others, and your excellent ability to express yourself, you should also write a book. I suspect this Blog fulfills some of that outlet for you already.

Bruce

Thanks Doug - I'll be getting it over the holidays. I don't have much time to read for enjoyment during the school year, since I read so much for school. I'm going to read Joe Galloway's newest book. It is about the return to the I Drang with the North Vietnamese officers that General Moore, JOe and the Cav fought against. Interestingly, weather forced them to stay overnight on the battleground they occupied so many years ago.

I'll add to Viet Nam with Love to that book.

Tom

[Thuy]

I think I read a short article of Jim's in National Geographic Travelers. It was a story about a guy who went to Vietnam and met a Vietnamese girl and courted her in Hue in the traditional Vietnamese way.

It was a very good article and of course I love reading anything about Vietnam.

My other recommendation is "Catfish and Mandala" by Andrew Pham.

It's hard not to fall in love with Vietnam.

[thuy]

Oops, I meant James, not Jim.

I'm giving To Vietnam With Love to my 83 year old ESOL friend (American) who is an honorary member of the Vietnamese community. He meets with the Vietnamese Seniors group every Tuesday, teaching English, then joining them for lunch. For his birthday, he can have a literary trip to Vietnam. He will love it, I know. Thank you for the tip! Ellen in Maryland