Don't Break My Rice Bowl (Paperback)

Patricia Rykiel

ISBN 10: 1739615530 / ISBN 13: 9781739615536

Editore: Holey Jumper Press, 2023

Riguardo questo articolo

Paperback. Don't Break My Rice Bowl is a Vietnam War fictional memoir at itscentre, wrapped in meta-narrative layers, connecting the life and legacy of thelate primary author to his protagonist, Eddie. 'A book within a book and thereader is invited in.' Feeling life is slipping him by, an American agriculturalist headsto Vietnam to try and make a difference in the lives of the people as part ofPresident Johnson's 'Hearts and Minds' campaign. There is just one big problem- there's a war going on.Eddie joins a small group of civilian advisors chosen to work withlocal farmers to help make Vietnam once again self-sufficient in rice. He isdrawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the opportunity to make adifference, but he is leaving some problems behind.His story follows the ups and downs of cultural and tropicalagriculture training in Washington DC and the Philippines, and then hisassignment in the Gia Dinh province just outside Saigon. The stakes increase asthe war intensifies and Eddie's connections in the country deepen, providingthe backdrop for the cultural, political and personal struggles that unfold.The novel shines a light on a relatively unknown part of VietnamWar history as elements of Asian history and culture, including theintroduction of 'miracle rice', are woven into the challenges of being acivilian trying to work - and live - in a war zone.The Foreword by his daughter, an Afterword by his second wife, theAppendix, and 25 hand painted illustrations by his granddaughter provide addedpoignant layers to the story. 'The fragility of life was the late author'sparting lesson; however, these words left behind were his ultimate gift.' A poignant novel highlighting the complexities, tragedies, and personal struggles faced during the Vietnam War. Eddie, an American civilian agricultural advisor, heads to Saigon as part of a US Government initiative to help win the 'Hearts and Minds' of the South Vietnamese. The stakes increase as the war intensifies. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Codice articolo 9781739615536

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Don't Break My Rice Bowl (Paperback)
• Editore: Holey Jumper Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2023
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 1739615530
• ISBN 13: 9781739615536
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Edizione: seconda edizione
• Condizione: new

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Don't Break My Rice Bowl is a Vietnam War fictional memoir at its centre, wrapped in meta-narrative layers, connecting the life and legacy of the late primary author to his protagonist, Eddie. 'A book within a book and the reader is invited in.'

Feeling life is slipping him by, an American agriculturalist heads to Vietnam to try and make a difference in the lives of the people as part of President Johnson's 'Hearts and Minds' campaign. There is just one big problem - there's a war going on.

Eddie joins a small group of civilian advisors chosen to work with local farmers to help make Vietnam once again self-sufficient in rice. He is drawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the opportunity to make a difference, but he is leaving some problems behind.

His story follows the ups and downs of cultural and tropical agriculture training in Washington DC and the Philippines, and then his assignment in the Gia Dinh province just outside Saigon. The stakes increase as the war intensifies and Eddie's connections in the country deepen, providing the backdrop for the cultural, political and personal struggles that unfold.

The novel shines a light on a relatively unknown part of Vietnam War history as elements of Asian history and culture, including the introduction of 'miracle rice', are woven into the challenges of being a civilian trying to work - and live - in a war zone.

The Foreword by his daughter, an Afterword by his second wife, the Appendix, and 25 hand painted illustrations by his granddaughter provide added poignant layers to the story. 'The fragility of life was the late author's parting lesson; however, these words left behind were his ultimate gift.'

Informazioni sugli autori

Don't Break My Rice Bowl begins with a letter from President Lyndon Johnson to the late author, giving Robert H. Dodd instant credibility as well as orientating the reader to the novel's moment in time and place. Robert was born in Northern England, emigrating to New York, USA when he was nine. As a graduate of Cornell University and marking the beginning of his illustrious career in international development, he was sent to Saigon as an agricultural expert, witnessing the Vietnam War from a US civilian vantage point. In 1987, he died unexpectedly in New York City. ---- There are three Don't Break My Rice Bowl collaborators. With Patricia and Justine Rykiel in the UK and Beth Jackson in the USA, they worked together across the miles - and time zones - to bring this 'forgotten' manuscript to life.

Patricia attended FDU's Florham campus (New Jersey) in the late 80s to early 90s, graduating summa cum laude. Her bachelor's degree major was Political Science. This was followed by a master's degree in Broadcast Journalism at UMD (Maryland). She worked as a computer trainer (Washington, DC) in the 1990s, and has been running her own technology consulting business the last 20 years. She was the UK voice of Avast the antivirus for a time - meaning, she knows how to say 'threat has been detected' with gusto! Patricia was also the creator (and voice) of a technology segment for a syndicated American radio show. She is wife to David and mum to Cameron and Justine. Patricia lived in the US for a year in 1984, and from 1987 to 2000; she moved back to the UK with her family in 2000.

Beth has a bachelor's degree from Miami U (Ohio) in International Studies, and master's degrees in Technical Writing (BGSU, Ohio); Special Education (UMaine); and Library & Information Science (USC, South Carolina). She has worked in research and editorial roles, but she most loved her 27 years as an educator in Blue Hill, Maine where she established the K-8 school library and worked with teachers and students to bring learning and an awareness of the larger world alive. She also played tenor in a community steel drum band for 25 years. She and her second husband Ross now live in Arizona where they miss sea kayaking and the Maine woods, but where they enjoy exploring the wonders of the desert and playing banjo and guitar together.