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Nothing Is Impossible: America's Reconciliation with Vietnam
Today Vietnam is one of America’s strongest international partners, with a thriving economy and a population that welcomes American visitors. How that relationship was formed is a twenty-year story of daring diplomacy and a careful thawing of tensions between the two countries after a lengthy war that cost nearly 60,000 American and more than two million Vietnamese lives. Ted Osius, former ambassador during the Obama administration, offers a vivid account, starting in the 1990s, of the various forms of diplomacy that made this reconciliation possible. He considers the leaders who put aside past traumas to work on creating a brighter future, including senators John McCain and John Kerry, two Vietnam veterans and ideological opponents who set aside their differences for a greater cause, and Pete Peterson—the former POW who became the first U.S. ambassador to a new Vietnam. Osius also draws upon his own experiences working first-hand with various Vietnamese leaders and traveling the country on bicycle to spotlight the ordinary Vietnamese people who have helped bring about their nation’s extraordinary renaissance. With a foreword by former Secretary of State John Kerry, Nothing Is Impossible tells an inspiring story of how international diplomacy can create a better world.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2021
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180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 12, 2021
Equal parts engaging narrative, fascinating history lesson, and inspirational case that, indeed, nothing is impossible. I loved this book and will think about it often when there are conflicts in modern foreign affairs and politics that feel insurmountable.
December 18, 2021
This is a mesmerizing book. Over the 30+ years of living in the United States, I have followed closely all the news about Vietnam. Despite of my family's difficult history of loss and suffering, I have always rooted for healing and reconciliation - between our two nations of course, but also between Vietnamese from different political spectrum.
This book helped me understand what have gone on behind the scenes. I appreciate the Ambassador's hard work, patience, optimism, cultural sensibility, knowledge of Vietnam history and especially his integrity.
I have made a number of volunteer trips to Vietnam. IMHO, the reconciliation have already been largely achieved between ordinary Vietnamese (North and South/inside and outside of the country). For many political, cultural and historical reasons, the reconciliation process will take longer for Vietnamese who have left the country and the current government of Vietnam. Yet I share with Mr. Osius the optimism that it is possible, as his book so beautifully illustrates - perhaps one trip or even one generation at a time.
I hope that there will be books written by Vietnamese American describing that reconciliation journey as well.
This book helped me understand what have gone on behind the scenes. I appreciate the Ambassador's hard work, patience, optimism, cultural sensibility, knowledge of Vietnam history and especially his integrity.
I have made a number of volunteer trips to Vietnam. IMHO, the reconciliation have already been largely achieved between ordinary Vietnamese (North and South/inside and outside of the country). For many political, cultural and historical reasons, the reconciliation process will take longer for Vietnamese who have left the country and the current government of Vietnam. Yet I share with Mr. Osius the optimism that it is possible, as his book so beautifully illustrates - perhaps one trip or even one generation at a time.
I hope that there will be books written by Vietnamese American describing that reconciliation journey as well.
December 21, 2021
The book is not a policy book, but rather a book of many mini stories about the US-Vietnam relations. I love this book and I think it is worth reading for these three reasons. First, Osius makes an attempt to explain the conflicts leading to the Vietnam War. This is a complex task and it can be controversial to many people if not done properly, but I think he does an excellent job at it. He leverages his strong understanding of Vietnamese history and people, as well as an objective viewpoint of a historian, to explain the cause of the war in a moderate way. Second, Osius is not afraid to tackle the toughest subject of the relations - human rights - in a direct manner. He provides facts and examples to explain the situation, the progress that has been made, and the challenges that remain. Third, the book shows that Vietnamese leaders also work hard towards building this relationship, including making concessions in other areas that are important to them. One man that stands out is Nguyen Tan Dung, an ex PM of Vietnam from 2006-2016, who cares deeply about having a closer relation with the US and takes pride in the relationships with US leaders under his era.
Throughout the book, Osius emphasizes on a point that I think is very important: diplomacy is about building a trusting, long-term relationship. And in order to build this trust, we first need to face the past in a truthful manner, and work together to fix any remaining issues from the past. Also, showing the respect for the culture and the language go a long way.
Overall, this is a great book to understand more about Vietnam & their leaders of the past and today, as well as the progress and challenges in the reconciliation process with the US.
Throughout the book, Osius emphasizes on a point that I think is very important: diplomacy is about building a trusting, long-term relationship. And in order to build this trust, we first need to face the past in a truthful manner, and work together to fix any remaining issues from the past. Also, showing the respect for the culture and the language go a long way.
Overall, this is a great book to understand more about Vietnam & their leaders of the past and today, as well as the progress and challenges in the reconciliation process with the US.
December 26, 2021
25 years was a short time for two countries to turn from enemies to friends. This happened thanks to people like Ted Osius, John McCain, John Kerry and many in the government of Vietnam. This book is a must read also for Vietnamese people who may know current events only through Vietnamese state controlled media. As always, so much good information behind the scenes that explained what really happened and why it happened that way. Maybe that’s the reason I love reading memoirs. It’s also touching and rare to see how much love an ambassador like Ted Osius has for Vietnam. Now the question I have: why the Biden administration is not going back to make the TPP work?
October 31, 2021
As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I was keenly interested in the subject matter of this book. So had it been just another policy wonk book, that would have been OK. It turned out to be so much more… an intimate, highly anecdotal memoir of Ambassador Osius’ personal and professional life as an advocate for peace and reconciliation, rather than relying on coercion to pursue our national interests. He tells a compelling and inspiring story of how, thanks to the efforts of so many on both sides of the ocean, former enemies at war became friends, economic partners and allies. Mr. Osius played a key role in this decades long process. As I read his account, I could feel the love, the compassion and the integrity that he devoted to his life’s work while serving our country as a career diplomat.
This book is a must read for anyone looking for a better way to fix a broken relationship, or indeed, to keep it from breaking in the first place. His straightforward approach… being honest, showing mutual respect, building trust, and doing good things together… can be applied not just to foreign diplomacy, but to other relationships as well.
Kem Hunter
This book is a must read for anyone looking for a better way to fix a broken relationship, or indeed, to keep it from breaking in the first place. His straightforward approach… being honest, showing mutual respect, building trust, and doing good things together… can be applied not just to foreign diplomacy, but to other relationships as well.
Kem Hunter
May 23, 2022
Summary: A memoir by former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, describing how a former enemy became one of America’s strongest international partners, and the important role diplomacy played to bring that about.
The story begins with a conversation between two Vietnam veterans on a flight to Kuwait. John McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam for six years was sitting with John Kerry, a swift boat captain, highly decorated for his actions in an ambush and later reviled for his testimony questioning America’s war aims. Senators from two different parties began talking about getting accounting of POW/MIA servicemen and the restoration of relations with Vietnam that would facilitate that accounting. Their collaboration led to the passage of a measure re-establishing formal relations during the Clinton administration.
That was just the beginning of rebuilding the trust between these two countries shattered by war. This memoir by former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, gives an account of the diplomatic work that has led to Vietnam now being a strong international partner of the United States, resulting in the recovery of remains of many of those missing in action, cleanup of dioxin sites, honoring of the dead who fought with the U.S. as well as establishing vital trade, defense, and environmental collaboration..
Ted Osius was working in the State Department when the mission was established in Vietnam that preceded full diplomatic relations, working with charge’ d’affaires Desaix Anderson as a junior political officer. His work involved establishing everything from military exchanges to assisting Americans in Vietnam when they needed help. He learned the language of Vietnam, and as a cycling enthusiast, toured the country on bicycle, a practice he continued as ambassador, for the access it gave him to ordinary people. His friendship with John Kerry began when they toured part of the country on bikes. When Pete Peterson, a former POW, became ambassador, he told the team: “You’ll get it right 98 percent of the time. As for the other 2 percent, I’ll eat it!” He urged them to take risks and build a new relationship with Vietnam.
A big part of his work, and a theme running through his efforts, was working with the Vietnamese to establish U.S. and global trade relationships. This involved delicate and ongoing negotiations about labor conditions (a major breakthrough came with reforms at a Nike factory) and human rights. They also began the effort to addressing POW/MIA accounting, and for the Vietnamese, the cleanup of dioxin sites, dioxin a chemical used to clear brush that caused numerous birth defects and other health problems. Another theme was developing a collaboration to counter China’s growing regional influence.
Later, in the Bush administration, he served as a science officer, helping with environmental issues on the Mekong River, with disease prevention (including SARS, which led to Vietnam’s strong public health response to COVID-19). His return to the U.S. brought him in contact with other U.S diplomats who were gay including his husband Clayton Bond. When the ambassador role to Vietnam came open in 2012, around the time of the Obama administration’s shift on marriage equality, it became a serious option to pursue the appointment to Vietnam, the country he had come to love. It took until 2014 but he was appointed.
The latter part of the book describes his bicycle diplomacy and the trust that was built through respecting Vietnamese cultural traditions including releasing carp on the Day of the Kitchen Gods. He worked with the country and U.S. experts in clearing unexploded ordinance from the war and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the major efforts was to negotiate with Vietnam’s leadership for TPP membership, which would open up the country to global trade. He helped arrange a visit of the party secretary to Washington, and an eventual visit of President Obama to Vietnam, as well as a visit of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He participated in the establishment of a Fulbright University in Vietnam. And he was able to find a way to renovate the Bien Hoa Cemetery, where many South Vietnamese soldiers were bury in a neglected burial ground, an important desire of Vietnamese-American ex-pats, but politically sensitive.
He stayed into the early Trump administration, when his advice differed from administration priorities, resulting in a sudden replacement. Shortly afterwards, Osius retired from the State Department.
The memoir is an education in the work of an effective ambassador, both representing American policy with due diligence, supporting American business interests and caring for American citizens in country while building respect and trust in the host country. Osius’s willingness to learn the language, cycle the country, honor cultural practices and places, and listen carefully to high officials led to working on military, economic, environmental, and human rights issues. Vietnam became an important partner as both the U.S. and Vietnam faced a growing Chinese presence in the South China Sea. Osius learned and respected the David and Goliath history of Vietnam, that included its defeat of the U.S. in conflict. He learned that we get farther honoring David than reprising Goliath.
Vietnam still honors human rights in the breach but Osius could point to progress. The government is Communist, a single party dominating the government. But during the twenty-year period the book covers, one sees how two former adversaries could develop amicable relations while remaining different. They could work on common interests and try to persuade the other where they differ, while benefiting the people of both countries. That is diplomatic work at its best. Would that it were so everywhere!
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book via Edelweiss from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The story begins with a conversation between two Vietnam veterans on a flight to Kuwait. John McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam for six years was sitting with John Kerry, a swift boat captain, highly decorated for his actions in an ambush and later reviled for his testimony questioning America’s war aims. Senators from two different parties began talking about getting accounting of POW/MIA servicemen and the restoration of relations with Vietnam that would facilitate that accounting. Their collaboration led to the passage of a measure re-establishing formal relations during the Clinton administration.
That was just the beginning of rebuilding the trust between these two countries shattered by war. This memoir by former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, gives an account of the diplomatic work that has led to Vietnam now being a strong international partner of the United States, resulting in the recovery of remains of many of those missing in action, cleanup of dioxin sites, honoring of the dead who fought with the U.S. as well as establishing vital trade, defense, and environmental collaboration..
Ted Osius was working in the State Department when the mission was established in Vietnam that preceded full diplomatic relations, working with charge’ d’affaires Desaix Anderson as a junior political officer. His work involved establishing everything from military exchanges to assisting Americans in Vietnam when they needed help. He learned the language of Vietnam, and as a cycling enthusiast, toured the country on bicycle, a practice he continued as ambassador, for the access it gave him to ordinary people. His friendship with John Kerry began when they toured part of the country on bikes. When Pete Peterson, a former POW, became ambassador, he told the team: “You’ll get it right 98 percent of the time. As for the other 2 percent, I’ll eat it!” He urged them to take risks and build a new relationship with Vietnam.
A big part of his work, and a theme running through his efforts, was working with the Vietnamese to establish U.S. and global trade relationships. This involved delicate and ongoing negotiations about labor conditions (a major breakthrough came with reforms at a Nike factory) and human rights. They also began the effort to addressing POW/MIA accounting, and for the Vietnamese, the cleanup of dioxin sites, dioxin a chemical used to clear brush that caused numerous birth defects and other health problems. Another theme was developing a collaboration to counter China’s growing regional influence.
Later, in the Bush administration, he served as a science officer, helping with environmental issues on the Mekong River, with disease prevention (including SARS, which led to Vietnam’s strong public health response to COVID-19). His return to the U.S. brought him in contact with other U.S diplomats who were gay including his husband Clayton Bond. When the ambassador role to Vietnam came open in 2012, around the time of the Obama administration’s shift on marriage equality, it became a serious option to pursue the appointment to Vietnam, the country he had come to love. It took until 2014 but he was appointed.
The latter part of the book describes his bicycle diplomacy and the trust that was built through respecting Vietnamese cultural traditions including releasing carp on the Day of the Kitchen Gods. He worked with the country and U.S. experts in clearing unexploded ordinance from the war and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the major efforts was to negotiate with Vietnam’s leadership for TPP membership, which would open up the country to global trade. He helped arrange a visit of the party secretary to Washington, and an eventual visit of President Obama to Vietnam, as well as a visit of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He participated in the establishment of a Fulbright University in Vietnam. And he was able to find a way to renovate the Bien Hoa Cemetery, where many South Vietnamese soldiers were bury in a neglected burial ground, an important desire of Vietnamese-American ex-pats, but politically sensitive.
He stayed into the early Trump administration, when his advice differed from administration priorities, resulting in a sudden replacement. Shortly afterwards, Osius retired from the State Department.
The memoir is an education in the work of an effective ambassador, both representing American policy with due diligence, supporting American business interests and caring for American citizens in country while building respect and trust in the host country. Osius’s willingness to learn the language, cycle the country, honor cultural practices and places, and listen carefully to high officials led to working on military, economic, environmental, and human rights issues. Vietnam became an important partner as both the U.S. and Vietnam faced a growing Chinese presence in the South China Sea. Osius learned and respected the David and Goliath history of Vietnam, that included its defeat of the U.S. in conflict. He learned that we get farther honoring David than reprising Goliath.
Vietnam still honors human rights in the breach but Osius could point to progress. The government is Communist, a single party dominating the government. But during the twenty-year period the book covers, one sees how two former adversaries could develop amicable relations while remaining different. They could work on common interests and try to persuade the other where they differ, while benefiting the people of both countries. That is diplomatic work at its best. Would that it were so everywhere!
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book via Edelweiss from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 24, 2021
Smart, fast-paced, and immensely readable, “Nothing is Impossible” combines an account of sweeping international statecraft with moving, intimate personal anecdotes.
The reader is first gifted with an overview of how Vietnams’ history and cultural heritage informs the country’s deeply-rooted nationalism and its relationship with its neighbors and the world, vital to understanding the catalog of blunders that was the Vietnam War, and the complexities of U.S. and Vietnamese diplomatic efforts in our ongoing reconciliation.
From the practical to the sublime, this book is a first-hand accounting that steadily navigates the colorful, noisy, crowded, intersection of history, geography, patriotism, mutual interest, human rights, education, health, patience, consistency, resilience, disappointment, responsibility, trust, bridge-building, and the value of leading by personal example.
The reader is first gifted with an overview of how Vietnams’ history and cultural heritage informs the country’s deeply-rooted nationalism and its relationship with its neighbors and the world, vital to understanding the catalog of blunders that was the Vietnam War, and the complexities of U.S. and Vietnamese diplomatic efforts in our ongoing reconciliation.
From the practical to the sublime, this book is a first-hand accounting that steadily navigates the colorful, noisy, crowded, intersection of history, geography, patriotism, mutual interest, human rights, education, health, patience, consistency, resilience, disappointment, responsibility, trust, bridge-building, and the value of leading by personal example.
Read
December 2, 2021This book is written by ambassador Osius, a seasoned diplomat and Vietnam expert, who, through his practical and people-focussed approach during his over 25 year engagement in Vietnam and particularly as ambassador, has greatly contributed to building trust and achieving reconciliation between two former ennemies. He has shown that diplomacy focussed on mutual respect and understanding, and not just gunboat and arrogance, can overcome obtacles, both mental and material, that may seem unsurmountable at first sight. In one word, to make the impossible possible. Well worth reading for all those who are interested in contemporary Vietnam and its delicate balancing between the two competing superpowers of the 21st century: China and the US.
November 5, 2021
"Nothing Is Impossible" is a rewarding look back on Ted Osius's State Department career, in which he rose as a staffer to become US Ambassador to Vietnam, and in which Vietnam awarded him its highest honor for a foreign citizen, the Order of Friendship.
It is crammed with highly informative historic detail involving many US policy makers, a number of whom also helped to ensure its accuracy.
As valuable as the historical information is, Osius also draws you in with compelling personal detail.
It is crammed with highly informative historic detail involving many US policy makers, a number of whom also helped to ensure its accuracy.
As valuable as the historical information is, Osius also draws you in with compelling personal detail.
October 30, 2021
Lessons in optimism from the former US Ambassador to Viet Nam. Osius makes the case for diplomacy. The power of trade to drive positive social trade. Osius’s optimism hits its limit when faced with Trump’s racist immigration priorities and ignorance of the world.
Read
March 7, 2022 A fascinating, truth-telling story about behind the scenes before, during and after the Vietnam war.
As one who remembers so well the war in Vietnam, this book is compelling. In a format full of stories of real people, Americans and Vietnamese, it explains the most important historical facts that contribute to our understanding of what went wrong - and right - about the whole relationship, as well as what led from war to reconciliation. While it gives the history of the relationship between the two countries, it is done with an economical storytellers flair that made it hard for me to put down when duty called. It is full of new information that I found riveting because it explains some of the public's questions about the course of the war. The bravery of many who began the initially unpopular process of rapprochement, most notably John McCain and John Kerry, is also highlighted and follows the theme of the book. The author was personally involved in many of the key points in the process of transforming the relationships between the countries, and his perspective sheds light on the indispensable role our trained, talented, patriotic career diplomats play on the world stage, as they are shown taking seemingly impossible situations and transforming them by respect and wise use of familiarity with the countries involved to bring about successes like these. These unheralded professionals show how even small actions of respect can transform relationships, when wisely performed, facilitating the potential, and real, as here, creation of a sense of community and cooperation between countries in the world, instead of competition and conflict. Read it, you will love it as I did!
As one who remembers so well the war in Vietnam, this book is compelling. In a format full of stories of real people, Americans and Vietnamese, it explains the most important historical facts that contribute to our understanding of what went wrong - and right - about the whole relationship, as well as what led from war to reconciliation. While it gives the history of the relationship between the two countries, it is done with an economical storytellers flair that made it hard for me to put down when duty called. It is full of new information that I found riveting because it explains some of the public's questions about the course of the war. The bravery of many who began the initially unpopular process of rapprochement, most notably John McCain and John Kerry, is also highlighted and follows the theme of the book. The author was personally involved in many of the key points in the process of transforming the relationships between the countries, and his perspective sheds light on the indispensable role our trained, talented, patriotic career diplomats play on the world stage, as they are shown taking seemingly impossible situations and transforming them by respect and wise use of familiarity with the countries involved to bring about successes like these. These unheralded professionals show how even small actions of respect can transform relationships, when wisely performed, facilitating the potential, and real, as here, creation of a sense of community and cooperation between countries in the world, instead of competition and conflict. Read it, you will love it as I did!
December 31, 2022
Ambassador Ted Osius will be giving a lecture sponsored by my office on the University of Colorado campus early in 2023, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords that began the process of returning peace to the people of Vietnam. In preparation for his visit, I decided to read Nothing is Impossible, his memoir and account of normalizing relations between the US and Vietnam.
I am embarrassed how little I know of the efforts that people like Ambassador Osius, John Kerry, John McCain, and innumerable Vietnamese leaders made to move past our history as enemies and find common ground for our two nations. This book is enlightening, informative, and hopeful about the progress that can be achieved when people work together toward a common goal.
The book touches on diplomatic efforts in various fields, such as recovering the remains of Americans and Vietnamese lost during the war, environmental challenges, trade policies, and the vagaries of individuals in positions of power, but throughout everything, Osius never loses sight of his purpose.
As Osius states in the epilogue, “Strong partnerships. . . provide jobs to Americans, contribute to regional stability, and help us address global challenges to human health, the environment, and international security. . . . When the United States shows respect and builds trust, it can build relationships that enable friends and partners to pursue shared interests together. After thirty years in Asia and twenty-five in and out of Vietnam, I know with certainty that building such relationships is the only way to make America even greater.”
I recommend this book—we can all stand to learn more about moving past pain and suffering in pursuit of a better world.
I am embarrassed how little I know of the efforts that people like Ambassador Osius, John Kerry, John McCain, and innumerable Vietnamese leaders made to move past our history as enemies and find common ground for our two nations. This book is enlightening, informative, and hopeful about the progress that can be achieved when people work together toward a common goal.
The book touches on diplomatic efforts in various fields, such as recovering the remains of Americans and Vietnamese lost during the war, environmental challenges, trade policies, and the vagaries of individuals in positions of power, but throughout everything, Osius never loses sight of his purpose.
As Osius states in the epilogue, “Strong partnerships. . . provide jobs to Americans, contribute to regional stability, and help us address global challenges to human health, the environment, and international security. . . . When the United States shows respect and builds trust, it can build relationships that enable friends and partners to pursue shared interests together. After thirty years in Asia and twenty-five in and out of Vietnam, I know with certainty that building such relationships is the only way to make America even greater.”
I recommend this book—we can all stand to learn more about moving past pain and suffering in pursuit of a better world.
November 2, 2022
I LOVED this book! I demonstrated against the Vietnam war on multiple occasions (got tear-gassed on the Mall in DC) and even wrote letters to Ho Chi Minh and Richard Nixon urging peace (young? idealistic?). And I have a beloved brother-in-law who served in the Marines in Vietnam. I really care about this topic and was thrilled to learn about the history of reconciliation told by Ted Osius, former US Ambassador to Vietnam 2014 - 2017—only the 2nd gay career diplomat in US history to achieve the rank of Ambassador.
Osius's book is part history, part memoir, and part scrapbook, with lots of photos of the author with top US and Vietnamese officials, on bike trips across Vietnam, and many occasions with his husband and children. He lays out the challenges, and the careful, thoughtful, and artful steps forward to peace and friendship between the two countries, once engaged in all-out war. I want to find more history books that are filled with peace and hope and the best qualities of the human spirit!
Osius's book is part history, part memoir, and part scrapbook, with lots of photos of the author with top US and Vietnamese officials, on bike trips across Vietnam, and many occasions with his husband and children. He lays out the challenges, and the careful, thoughtful, and artful steps forward to peace and friendship between the two countries, once engaged in all-out war. I want to find more history books that are filled with peace and hope and the best qualities of the human spirit!
May 12, 2025
I've wanted to read this for quite some time, and I'm glad I did. Osius takes the reader through the fascinating relationship between the US and Vietnam. The stories and material in this book gave me a lot to think about and appreciate. I especially appreciated his commentary on the US decision to pull out of the TPP and how devastating that was to the region and relations.
Despite all the great stories and commentary, I just did not love how this book was written. Osius jumps around a lot in each chapter and these tangents, while perhaps interesting, often didn't add to his overall argument. Honestly, at times it felt like he had a fun memory he wanted to share and just put it into the story regardless of how well it flowed.
Aside from this, there was a lot to be learned here. Foreign relations and diplomacy are a long and complex process and Osius gives readers a good look behind the curtain. That in-and-of itself made this worth reading.
Despite all the great stories and commentary, I just did not love how this book was written. Osius jumps around a lot in each chapter and these tangents, while perhaps interesting, often didn't add to his overall argument. Honestly, at times it felt like he had a fun memory he wanted to share and just put it into the story regardless of how well it flowed.
Aside from this, there was a lot to be learned here. Foreign relations and diplomacy are a long and complex process and Osius gives readers a good look behind the curtain. That in-and-of itself made this worth reading.
January 5, 2022
Ted Osius’ Nothing is Impossible provides us with a rare inside view of personal diplomacy at its best. In illuminating detail of his many years of service to both the U.S. and Vietnam, we experience Ted’s admirable patience combined with thorough knowledge and understanding of Vietnam as he personally led normalization of relations. Ted, his husband Clayton, and their children demonstrated American values daily while helping Vietnam move toward openness and international economic development. The writing is superb and the details of life in the foreign service are illuminating. Anyone interested in Vietnam, diplomatic challenges, and how one person (and family) can repair relations with a former enemy will find this book an exhilarating experience.
November 2, 2021
A tremendously valuable book, that should be required reading for anyone interested in the U.S.-Vietnam relationship or in joining the foreign service.
Ambassador Osius peppers his memoir of 30 years closely engaged with the process of reconciliation between the U.S. and Vietnam with memorable anecdotes of behind the scenes discussions with key players, widely circulated, possibly apocryphal tales of great American diplomats, and occasional remarkable nuggets from his own life.
In full disclosure, I know and have worked with Ambassador Osius, but I never the less don't hesitate to recommend his book!
Ambassador Osius peppers his memoir of 30 years closely engaged with the process of reconciliation between the U.S. and Vietnam with memorable anecdotes of behind the scenes discussions with key players, widely circulated, possibly apocryphal tales of great American diplomats, and occasional remarkable nuggets from his own life.
In full disclosure, I know and have worked with Ambassador Osius, but I never the less don't hesitate to recommend his book!
February 10, 2022
This is a wonderful book. I am fascinated by the history that I did not know; i.e. especially about Truman not returning the requests for helping Vietnam in its struggle for independence from France. And I loved the personal stories about Ted and his family, all of whom I know and love. What an amazing person he is and life he has led. The United States has been lucky to have his service.
I'm going to recommend that my book club reads this. Lucy Iliff
I'm going to recommend that my book club reads this. Lucy Iliff
June 25, 2022
The author's first hand insight into post-war Vietnam is worth the read. The book also doubles as the author's personal memoirs - not as interesting. Something I didn't know - the Trump administration (Steve Miller) made a concerted effort to deport Vietnamese people who had come to the US during and after the war, despite various agreements that originally welcomed them to the US.
August 17, 2025
It's rare to get such an insider's view into the US-Vietnam's reconciliation story. Ambassador Osius played an important role throughout the process, and recounted many fun and moving stories about the process.
McCain and Kerry are even more admirable than I'd realized.
McCain and Kerry are even more admirable than I'd realized.
June 16, 2024
این کتاب رو با ترجمه ((هیچ چیز غیر ممکن نیست)) خوندم و کتاب بسیار خوبی در خصوص باز سرگیری روابط آمریکا و ویتنام بعد از جنگ ویتنام بود
January 19, 2026
Honest portrayal of history by one of the people closest to the action. Dreaded the regular switching of scenes but a lot of themes held true throughout the book - and tied it nicely together.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews