Saigon, Volume 2: 1945-75

Saigon #2

by Anthony Grey

Vietnam's heady tropical landscape captivates fifteen-year-old Joseph Sherman on a hunting expedition to French colonial Saigon with his family in 1925. He is lured back again and again by his enduring fascination for the country and for Lan, a beautiful Vietnamese mandarin's daughter he could never forget. Over five haunting decades Joseph's life becomes deeply enmeshed with Vietnam's turbulent, war-torn fate - until he attempts to salvage something of lasting value during the final desperate helicopter scramble to flee defeated Saigon. This new 2008 edition of Anthony Grey's epic novel of the Vietnam War in a single volume is republished some 20 years after its first publication. During this period, as critics predicted, it has stood the text of time and is now providing a new generation of readers with insights into that historic conflict - and its tragic echoes in Iraq. It has since become a bestseller in 15 countries and in eight other languages.

Genres: History

407 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2005

About the author

Anthony Grey OBE was a British journalist and author. As a journalist for Reuters he was detained for 27 months in China from 1967 to 1969. He wrote a series of novels and non-fiction books, including several relating to his detention.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts slower than others but overall an interesting book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vietnam's heady tropical landscape captivates fifteen-year-old Joseph Sherman on a hunting expedition to French colonial Saigon with his family in 1925. He is lured back again and again by his enduring fascination for the country and for Lan, a beautiful Vietnamese mandarin's daughter he could never forget. Over five haunting decades Joseph's life becomes deeply enmeshed with Vietnam's turbulent, war-torn fate - until he attempts to salvage something of lasting value during the final desperate helicopter scramble to flee defeated Saigon. This new 2008 edition of Anthony Grey's epic novel of the Vietnam War in a single volume is republished some 20 years after its first publication. During this period, as critics predicted, it has stood the text of time and is now providing a new generation of readers with insights into that historic conflict - and its tragic echoes in Iraq. It has since become a bestseller in 15 countries and in eight other languages

An engaging, if not always quite plausible, account of the history of Vietnam, going back to its colonization by France and coming forward to the end of the Vietnam War with the U.S.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book this is. The author's background in the British diplomatic service lends it so much credence that you really feel that you are gaining a true insight into the tragedy that became the Vietnam War. And as with so many other great tragedies in the world, you are struck by the absolute avoidability of the whole thing, and shamed by the duplicity of western governments, primarily the US and British.

Starting in the early 20th century, "Saigon" takes us from the injustices of life for people living in Vietnam during the time of French colonisation, through the early days of the Viet Minh, the Japanese invasion during WWII, the betrayal of the people of Vietnam by "democratic" governments, through to the utter inevitability of that terrible conflict. I highly recommend this book to anybody with an interest in modern history, which of course shapes how we live now, and particularly to people in Australia and the US, countries so effected by that particular war.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always so interesting to read an historical account of something we learned in history class, and then be broadened by the book. Was in Vietnam in December, great place, they were incredibly kind to an American, but they really do not have a fondness for the French or Chinese. After reading this book I can see why.

[Dwight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible historical fiction that sucks you in. Didn't get much sleep while working through these 800 or so pages... Vietnam from around 1920 til the US helicopters pulled out of Saigon in 1975.

[Mickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another moving Vietnam saga, this time beginning in the thirties. Told from a male point of view. Very interesting.

[David Stout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low brow historical fiction that is a lot of fun if interested in Viet Nam

[VelveetaRanch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts slower than others but overall an interesting book.