The remarkable first-hand account of Vinh Chung, a Vietnamese refugee, and his family’s daring escape from communist oppression for the chance of a better life in America. Discover a story of personal sacrifice, redemption, endurance against almost insurmountable odds, and what it truly means to be American.
Vinh Chung was born in South Vietnam, just eight months after it fell to the communists in 1975. His family was wealthy, controlling a rice-milling empire worth millions; but within months of the communist takeover, the Chungs lost everything and were reduced to abject poverty. Knowing that their children would have no future under the new government, the Chungs decided to flee the country. In 1979, they joined the legendary “boat people” and sailed into the South China Sea, despite knowing that an estimated two hundred thousand of their countrymen had already perished at the hands of brutal pirates and violent seas.
Where the Wind Leads follows Vinh Chung and his family on their desperate journey from pre-war Vietnam. Vinh
The family’s perilous journey through pirate attacks on a lawless seaTheir miraculous rescue and a new home in the unlikely town of Fort Smith, ArkansasVinh’s struggled against poverty, discrimination, and a bewildering language barrierHis graduation from Harvard Medical SchoolWhere the Wind Leads is Vinh’s tribute to the courage and sacrifice of his parents, a testimony to his family’s faith, and a reminder to people everywhere that the American dream, while still possible, carries with it a greater responsibility.
Vinh Chung graduated Harvard magna cum laude and attended Harvard Medical School for his MD. Dr. Chung studied at the University of Sydney as a Fulbright Scholar and completed a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Chung also holds a Master of Theology from the University of Edinburgh and currently serves on the board for World Vision US. Dr. Chung and his wife Leisle have four children and run a successful private medical practice in Colorado Springs.
The pirates were invading the refugees on their boat from Vietnam to eventually America - who were trying to escape the communists-- we could feel how horrific and terrifying it had to be. Everything these people owned was stolen. The pirates captured them - - left to die. Frightening as can be!!!
As we read this story - A SURVIVAL STORY -- We 'do' understand just how miraculous and inspiring it is. From hell to Harvard.....and everything in between.
However.... I didn't think this was a greatly written book. Parts felt exaggerated. Parts were just TOO MUCH INFORMATION--little details that did not forward the overall story. YET... the story itself can't be denied.
Personally I'm not a fan when God is introduced as "not turning his face from those who were suffering". I have to filter my own thoughts when I read "God didn't create any throwaway children". If the author had left out quotes about what Jesus once said - and that "God sent the boat", type statements, was a little less preachy in parts, I would have rated this book a little higher.
Overall it's worth reading - It's worth reading to learn about the rescue boat that carried The Chung family and their 11 children away from starvation, dehydration, and fear - to American- to realize just how much they each accomplished. The story - itself - is remarkable.
Thank you to my long time friend Kuki for telling me about this book!
Wow. Like Unbroken, this book is a testament to what one man (one family, really) can survive. I bought this book because we were about to meet the author. I had heard a little of the story, so I knew that part would be amazing, but I didn't expect it to be so well-written. The author's voice really comes through, finding the humor and great insights in the tragedies of being driven from their homes and prosperous business, rejected from neighboring coasts, and left for dead at sea. From tenacious Grandmother Chung to Vinh's mother (the second-most beautiful woman in her village) to 18-month old twins, this resilient family experienced such unspeakable horrors, and yet so many miracles.
After the eventful first half, I expected the second half of the book to be less interesting, but I was fascinated by the family's challenges and perseverance after they reached America. This was a faith-building read that I couldn't put down.
I hate to get political in a book review, but if there was ever a greater argument to think with more compassion about current topics such as immigration and human rights, this book would be a really great piece to start with. Anyone who ever thinks that people who come to this country from abroad (or even closer to home) "have it easy", or get "handouts", or "take jobs away from true Americans" need to read this - this book is a testament to the hard, selfless, and often hazardous journey that people take to try and make it to a better life. I was pleasantly surprised when this book not only focused on the author's physical journey from their home country, which was harrowing enough, but also then showed the story of what happens after you step onto foreign soil, not only in the immediate days afterwards, but the months and years spent trying to make a new life. I learned SO much about this particular family's story, and it made me realize how many privileges we take for granted everyday, just because some of us happen to be lucky enough to be born and raised in a country with so many opportunities, and to lead comfortable and frankly cushy lives. Read this book, and expand your idea of the world, if not your own home country. Consider the plight of people everywhere who attempt a journey like this one and don't make it, and what they have to endure in their failure. It's poignant and moving and inspiring. I'm glad I read it, and I hope more people do the same.
As the book cover says, this is a refugee family's miraculous story of loss, rescue, and redemption as they escape from South Vietnam with thousands of other boat people in 1979 and make their way to America. The story of their escape with eight children and the hardships that they endure is almost unbelievable. Even more amazing is a series of miraculous events in their lives that point them to a God who loves them that they will come to know. I couldn't put the book down.
This was a wonderfully, thought-provoking memoir about a Chinese family who had to flee Vietnam after the Viet Cong took over the government. The book was so fascinating and really made me think about how much we have in this country. It also opens your eyes to the plight of so many who suffer in other countries due to their corrupt leaders. I loved the example of a family that taught their children how to work hard. These are some of my favorite quotes:
"We were a poor refugee family "fresh off the boat" in America, but we felt blessed to be here and believed we had a responsibility to give back, and the more we gave, the more we received. That's a mistake often made in America: we spend our lives seeking to be served, instead of seeking to serve others, and the more we receive, the less we seem to have."
"How can I give my children all the things I never had without allowing them to become complacent? How do I teach them that America is a land of opportunity, but was never meant to be a place of entitlement? How do I allow them comfort and ease but instill in them the value of hard work?"
Update: I suggested this book to my local book club and we met tonight to discuss it. So I re-listened to this today for our discussion tonight....and it was a great book to talk about. There were many topics mentioned, and many ideas shared. It worked well for a group discussion.
This is an autobiography of a Vietnamese family. They were refugees trying to escape Vietnam and trying to get to the United States. The author had a powerful story to tell. I'm giving this one 5 stars because it was so well written. I was in such awe with the imagery in this. Amazing. There was tragedy, but I loved how it was tempered with humor, courage, hope, and humility. It was well balanced. Every time they thought they lost everything, something else would be taken from them. That happened over and over again. They suffered much but still managed to triumph.
This story was heart wrenching and inspirational. I learned so much about the plight of refugees as I read and gained a whole new level of sympathy because of it. This is another book that, in my opinion, every American should read!
I'm surprised I didn't like this book more, since I had worked in a refugee camp with families like this one for a year with a relief agency. The book was much stronger at the beginning than the end. It began to focus too much on just the author's accomplishments, relationships, etc which is ironic since he often emphasized the preeminence of family in the Asian culture. One HUGE question was barely answered as an afterthought: what happened to the other two boats towed out I sea? How did they survive? How did they ever find out about each other again? Considering the prominent role grandmother Chung had in his life at the beginning and the way she was reduced to almost a footnote at the end, I would have to say this author became very Americanized.
I love true, inspiring, defeat all the odds stories like this. Gods hand was clearly in this family’s life. I appreciated learning about a new culture at the beginning and understanding how this family was impacted in their daily life by all the conflict in Vietnam over a period of years. I gleaned a lot of insight into a refugees point of view and the process of finding a place that will be a refuge. This was a heart breaking and heart warming story at the same time, and I hope this book can enable individuals to realize just how much good they each can do by seeing and need in the world and doing something about it.
Incredible story, told so well! I love the optimism and faith and the idea that every one of us is blessed and has a great opportunity to give to others. Such a good read!
When I finished this, my impulse was to go to the nearest grocery store and try to help anyone who looked remotely lost.
This is a riches-to-rags-to-riches story of the values that we Americans say we hold most dear, and yet seem to forget so often when we're dealing with people who are different from us. It's written by a physician in my area (which is how I heard about it in the first place) but memories told to me by others, including my father, who served in the Navy in the Pacific not long after some of these events were taking place, brought it closer to home, to reality. Human life and culture is so much more complex than we can ever imagine, and stories like this remind me to always look for the other side (or sides).
Every time I'm tempted to look at someone who's less financially well off than I am, or who's working a job I tend to view as menial, or doesn't speak English well, or comes from any other different group from me, and start to think that they are less intelligent, or capable, uneducated, or any other possible prejudice I might come up with--regardless of whether it was unintentional--I remember stories like this, of a family who literally had EVERYTHING taken away from them, including a vast business empire that they had worked extremely hard for, and were left to rot in the middle of a body of water, because no one wanted them. I remember the ones who chose to take a chance and take them in, help them figure out American supermarkets and education system, or let them use their laptop in college because they could never hope to afford one. I remember this, and tell myself to quit being a fool and a moron. It's unfortunate that stories like this are necessary, but while the world remains the way it does, these stories remain inspiring and a sober reminder of the humanity of us all.
This is the best book I’ve read this year. I loved so many things about it: the recent history and geography of Vietnam, Grandma Chung (what a boss!), the second most beautiful woman of the village, the entire refugee saga from Vietnam to Malaysia, the rainstorm, Sea Sweeper, the Lutheran congregation, the restaurant, Leisle, the graduation robe…it was all riveting, inspiring, and true! Vinh Chung’s story is refreshing in the sense that it details very difficult things, but you walk away feeling hopeful rather than depressed. This book strengthened my belief in God and made me want to be a more compassionate, less self-centered person. I finished the book in a matter of days, and I can’t recommend it enough.
I LOVED this book! I think this is in the top five of all memoirs I have read. This book tells the story of Vinh Chung and his family as they flee Vietnam and eventually make their way to America. The story is told in a straightforward manner, yet captures the depth of emotion woven throughout the history of his family. Through all of the trauma, terror and tension of the refugee experience HOPE is a consistent theme that carries the story - not a false, sappy hope, but a true deep belief that they can and will survive whatever comes their way. An inspiring story of amazing resilience and overcoming!
Holy cow. I just finished this book, and I was teary for the last two chapters. Such an incredible story. Highly, highly recommend. I need to find some refugees to help, ASAP.
“Why me? Why my family and not theirs? Our boats were all set adrift at exactly the same location; why did the same wind take our boat in one direction and theirs in another? We were blessed- there’s no other way to say it-but why weren’t they? Were we more worthy in some way? Were we more deserving of rescue? I don’t see how; my family’s entire contribution to our rescue was to lie there waiting to die.
The only answer to the question “why?” is, “God only knows”, so rather than philosophize about a question I cannot answer, I prefer to ask two other questions that are more practical: “who do you think sent the boat?” And “what does he expect me to do now?”
My Christian faith has always played a central role in my life , and it supplies answers to those two questions: “Who do you think sent the boat?” Answer: God sent the boat. “What does He expect me to do now?” Answer: Now that I am safely ashore, He expects me to send the boat back for someone else” Page 342
This family’s story is amazing. In this world, that we live it is hard to understand why some are blessed with so much and others suffer so greatly. The biggest take away for me from this book was this line “Now that I am safely ashore, He expects me to send the boat back for someone else”
4.5 stars - This is one of those books that left me wanting to go serve in my community and a desire to help others. My heart went out to this family, especially the parents who served their children and made their lives better.
This Chinese family left Vietnam and were rescued in a boat and then an Arkansas church/family sponsored them to come to Fort Smith Arkansas where they still reside today. Their perseverance and hard work and stories are heartwarming, often funny and real.
As a Boat People my family also experienced struggles. I can definitely relate to the author’s experience.
Loved his prospective as a young child adapting to life in America and growing up.
There are definitely moments that tug at your heartstrings and make you believe in miracles through faith, family love and humorous moments when Vinh meets his now wife and how she inspires him to be a better him.
Wow. Glad I finally listened to the recommendations of my parents and gave this one a read. Dr. Chung, with generous humility, relays his family history, covering multiple generations and countless obstacles of the refugee experience. I highly recommend his words!!
True stories like this are always poignant and important to read to be informed about the world and reminded of the extreme privilege in my life. The miracles this family experienced were very touching. God is aware of His children.
This started out slow, but I enjoyed learning about the culture and history. This really makes you think about the state of refugees and made me want to help. I enjoyed this!
More by accident than design, I picked up a memoir from Chung and a trilogy of fiction from Viet Nguyen, just as the U.S. was exiting Afghanistan in a very messy fashion. All the books deal with the plight of Vietnamese refugees from 1975 on, and may provide hints as to what Afghan refugees in the U.S. will face. (I may insert a new Powers of Knausgaard novel into the mix, but expect to see reviews of the three Nguyen books shortly.)
One can't say Chung faced the escape horrors of 1975 directly, because his family stuck around to see the Vietnamese expropriation of property and the molding of proper socialist citizens. The new Vietnamese government did not implement the kind of terror seen in neighboring Cambodia, but those Vietnamese who were well off were stripped of all their goods. What really decided the issue for the Chung family, however, was their Chinese heritage, which drove them to leave Vietnam in 1979. China had backed Pol Pot in Cambodia, and those who were either Chinese or Khmer were encouraged to leave in 1979, before Vietnam went to war with China.
Consequently, the Vietnamese government does not come off as the ultimate bad guys in this memoir, since they allowed Chung's family to leave. Rather, the Malaysian government did everything short of outright murder boat people who came to Malaysian shores. I was curious as to whether any members of the Malaysian navy faced sanctions for what they did to refugee boats in 1979, then I remembered they performed the same atrocities in 2018-19 against the Rohingya. For that matter, so did the Australian navy. Some things never change.
The most compelling part of the story concerns the Chung family's trip to America, but Chung's tales of growing up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, displayed the everyday racism the family faced. Chung is adamanat that this is not related to growing up in the South, but is prevalent in every state. At the same time, he is adamant that all Americans, and people worldwide, have their good sides and kind tendencies they can show when not demonizing "the other."
Chung also talks about cultural disconnects for arriving refugees. He spotlights Asian cultures' belief in respect for elders under all circumstances, and it comes across as pretty silly, particularly since his father suffered from PTSD, and could not adjust well to the new life. Chung weaves together a fine story of the refugee and the problems of cultural mores set adrift.
Vinh Chung's story includes the history of his grandparents and parents in Vietnam, the family's ill-fated escape, and their miraculous rescue and immigration to the US. He does an excellent job of showing what remarkable people his parents and grandparents were, without excluding their faults and imperfections. He also shares how refugees are often hounded by fear and the nervous expectation of people's reactions or angry interactions. He discovered that he needed words to protect himself after being wrongly punished multiple times for not being able to explain or saying the wrong thing in English. He wrote " 'It's not fair' might be the most common thought that ever crosses a refugees mind."
My favorite quote (which referred to Vinh's mother dealing with depression and suicidal tendencies in Vietnam): "There is no greater love than to give one's life for a friend, but giving one's life doesn't always mean dying. Sometimes, it means living. Living can be a sacrifice, too, and a noble one."
I feel like a broken record whenever I say I love a book that teaches me about another culture or experiences in foreign lands. This memoir made me wonder about classmates of mine from school and the experiences they may have had in their families. Vihn Chung’s family were Chinese refugees from Vietnam that ended up in Arkansas. He is just a year older than me and I tried to imagine what it was like to go through all that he and his family experienced - being left at sea, hungry, attacked, being brought to a place where they knew no one, didn’t understand the culture and couldn’t speak the language. I was impressed at how he not only survived, but thrived and worked harder than I ever have. His dedication was cultural, but also inspired by the amazing example of his hardworking parents. In part of the book he explains how a refugee and immigrant might seem the same, but the mere reason they end up in a new country is based on totally different circumstances. One goes to improve their life and makes a choice, feeling hopeful. The other is placed somewhere they can just be safe and is often left feeling afraid and/or undeserving. Overall I really like this. I felt like there were some rather repetitive parts (like, hey, I feel like you just said this two paragraphs ago), but overall quite interesting and inspiring.
Although there are fewer "Boat People" now, the immigration stories abound...this one, about a Chinese family from Vietnam, arriving in the 60's, is tough and redemptive. I could picture much of where this family landed, in Fort Smith and Barling, AR, as it's where I went to high school. My parish in Paris, AR, sponsored and supported several Vietnamese families upon their arrival, as did a Lutheran church in Fort Smith, who aided this family. Without them, Vinh Chung's family would not have survived, I feel sure.
A beautiful narration of a refugee family trying to escape from the war torn nation of Vietnam. The author brilliantly describes about the Vietnamese culture, their struggle to escape and survive. I would recommend others to give a try at this book and it surely never disappoints
If I could give this one more than 5 stars, I would. It is well written and one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I'd recommend this to everyone to read, especially during these times when refugees are not welcome in our country. This book highlights the reality of what refugees endure.
Sometimes I need to read non-fiction because true stories can be so remarkable. This story is amazing—although it drags a bit at the end IMHO. Still, I learned a lot about Vietnam and how hard things were for refugees. Part of why I love reading is that it helps me feel compassion and what better way than living in a refugee’s shoes for a while? This will make a good book club discussion for sure.