This book was definately emotional and insightful. It's not one of a kind, but it comes with my reccomendation. It's full of great primary sources to get you inside the minds of the past.

'At (Mary Susannah Robbins') 25th class reunion at Harvard she attended a symposium, "Vietnam: The Choices We Made." After the event, she recalls, "In Harvard Square it seemed that the sidewalk was glass, that below lay the rubble of the Vietnam War on which American society was built, and that no one was looking down... So I would look down, I would not deny it any longer: I would look at the war and the antiwar movement, so inextricable."
Robbins assembled essays from 24 writers -- 19 men, five women... The authors include some of the best known opponents of the war -- Eugene McCarthy, Joan Baez, Daniel Berrigan, Howard Zinn, Martin Luther King Jr.-- and some of the less known....'
Colman McCarthy, The Washington Post

There is no other book quite like this one and its importance has only grown over the years. We need to listen to these voices for they mirror a huge number of American lives. One is grateful to have this sorrowful and wonderful record.
Gloria Emerson

the reference to dog meat preperation contrary to Lonely Planet's description is from Robert Templer's _Shadow and Wind: A View of Modern Viet Nam_.

The book is well put together but it is a more chatty version of a food guide. In its tone and topic it humanizes the Vietnamese via the vehicle of food removing stereotypes. It covers topics that other Vietnamese cookbooks do not cover very much such as, etiquette and placement of items in a greater meal context. Which for the traveler and non traveler is a very good thing.

However it is NOT a cookbook though it has some recipes. It's main focus is to enable you, the traveler, to experience Vietnamese food on location. Which this book does very well.

I found things somewhat factually wrong - the dog meat section. Though it tries to make you feel better about eating dog meat by saying that the dogs' lives are happy until their quick death -- certain instances of this are not true. Look up Temple's book on modern Vietnam _Shadows and Wind_ in describing how the dogs were beaten to death for tenderizing purposes to celebrate a New Year meal. This method may disturb some people but the ancient Romans practiced similiar methods (see Plutarch's essay on vegetarianism). Anyway, it is a flaw of fact.

This book proves to be a wonderful companion to other books such as, Trang's _Authentic Vietnamese_. It provides, in its small pages,information on modern food, history, and background information on Vietnam in a compact way that is well written and succinct. The photographs and layout are very well done creating a very pretty book. In conjunction with _Lonely Planet Vietnam_ it is indispensable.

For the cookbook enthusiast it is a good item for a collection emphasizing southeast Asian cuisine. It is a good source for background information and gives a more modern slant on things. It is a companion piece but not the main stay of a Vietnamese cookbook collection which it was never intended.

A good book and MUCH better than the Food of _insert cuisine here_ Periplus series.

1) compact and succint; 2) highly informative; 3) maps and amusing anectdotes; 4) good layout and design; 5) few recipes but recipes are very sound;

As a food writer planning a trip to Vietnam (for personal, not food-related reasons), I found this book to be an excellent introduction to the culture and cuisine. I may never cook any of the recipes in it, but it's helped me know what to look for when I go, and to anticipate my trip even more. I thought it was very well-written. Sterling's sense of adventure and good living are apparent in the guide in an infectious, inviting way. He is judgemental about no one but the foreign young people who go to Vietnam to eat fake burgers and wiener schnitzel instead of the light, beautiful food. And the photographs are as compelling as the writing. Buy this book!

Having known Peter Scott just prior to his departure for Vietnam, I could hear his voice in my ears as I read Lost Crusade. Thank you Peter for this extaordinary contribution to literature about the war in Southeast Asia. For those of us who served but did not work directly with indigenous people, this book provides rich detail and insight in to the lives of the individuals we fought so hard to help. Should Peter Scott happen to read this, please accept my personal best wishes and thanks for your contribution. Trace Gordon, 101st. Aviation Batallion, 101st. Airborne Infantry Division 1969-1970

I read 1-2 titles a week and this is one of the most compelling things
that I have ever read. Peter Scott writes with clarity and a passion
for humanity that made me shudder. It is not fair to the rest of the
book to single out any one chapter, but a chapter near the end about a
Pentagon general and Mr. Scott trying to decypher a paper battle map,
crudely and simplisticly describing a battle on the other side of the
world that must have invovled some of Mr. Scott's friends, is one of
the cruelest things that I have ever read. I had to put the book down
for a few days after.

If this book were a work of fiction, it
would fail - not because of the quality of the writing, which
surpasses most fiction and stands with the best, but because an
experience this fantastic is just not believable. Unless, of course,
it is real.

Other top favorites: Project Omega (Acre), Forgotten
Soldier (Sayer)

"Lost Crusade" must be counted as one of the best books ever written about the Vietnam War, and yet it goes far beyond the category of books 'about' Vietnam. "Lost Crusade" is much more than a book about war and for this reason will be valued even by those with no prior interest in the Vietnam War.

In "Lost Crusade" Peter Scott describes his experiences working with native Cambodian soldiers (the Khmer Krom) during the Vietnam War, and the book centers on the relationships he and other advisors built with these soldiers over the course of the War. At the same time Scott offers a broader, historical context of the conflict and the place of the Cambodians within it. This is what makes the book such a strong effort on two levels: it functions as both a historical document of the War from the perspective of one who was involved in it on the ground, and it is a moving recounting of the relationships between men who fought together as told by a skilled writer.

Scott introduces the large cast of characters with the same easy clarity that characterizes the book as a whole, and in a very personal way the reader soon begins to feel some of the attachment for his soldiers that Scott himself must have felt. We also encounter, quite vividly, the brutality of the War itself as well as the barbaric history of the region that pre-dated U.S. involvement. This allows the reader to understand some of the ferocity and drive that motivated these soldiers, and difficult as the material is to read at times, these passages could be seen as some of the most vital and necessary in the book.

The true measure of the book's success, and what makes the book accessible to all readers, is how deeply attached Scott causes the reader to become to his characters. This is largely due to the incredibly effective way in which it was written. The style appears to be effortless, and it is not until one actually stops to consciously consider it that the great care and craft invested in the book's writing becomes evident. Such a style quickly allows the reader to become involved in the personal relationships Scott establishes with the soldiers, and amplifies the tragedy that consumes many of them by the book's end.

"Lost Crusade" is both tremendously moving and also historically important, and it manages to effectively accomplish both its goals. Peter Scott has succeeded in writing a book 'about' war that, like all great books of its type, is really about the relationships that result from people being placed in situations such as war. While historically informative, most people will value the experience of reading the book for what it shows of human nature and human frailty. The book is certain to grip its readers and consume them from its fiery start in Southeast Asia to its bittersweet conclusion on America's West Coast.

This book made for a great read on the flight over. Being a history buff I really enjoyed it and it gave me a great sense of the place. But when I got to the island I found that the book was just about useless. I got lost all over the place, which for some is half the fun but not myself. People with the LP's-"southeast asia on a shoestring"fared much better than I at half the volume. I'm all for for making an effort at understanding the country you will visit, but a guidebook that can't guide me...

Having been to this magical place 5 times now and perusing many travel books on this land. I would place this as the number one book of choice for the area. The background of history and the covrage on the people make this the best trvel tome for this destination. It will give you a solid foundation and a good idea on what to expect when you arrive there. Even if you do not end up going there you would save alot of bucks by just vicariously experiencing it theough the shear reading of it!!!

Good Luck!!

Ron

If you do get there you must try the "soto ayam", the best chicken soup around; better than grandma's!!

I was so excited about my first trip to Bali that I used 4 guides. By far, the Moon Guide helped me most to understand Bali and the Balinese. I was even able to impress the cab drivers with my new found understanding of Balinese religion, culture and customs. Although I disagreed with many of the hotel and restaurant recommendations - the real reason for visiting Bali is to get in contact with a culture that exists nowhere else in the world. This book will help you do that better than any other. The section on quick indonesian language is very helpful and the Balinese love tourists who try to adopt their language greetings. The maps are mediocre, but there are no good maps of Bali - most roads are nameless and unsigned.

I was so impressed by Dalton's guide that I immediately looked for another moon guide for my next trip.

One will be able to peruse this work in an hour or so. Gives good working knowledge of Vietnamese ettiquette and mind-set. Great to have on hand as a reminder of what Vietnamese clients or students will expect from you. Generally accurate. Made me long for the days that I was fortunate enough to teach English to the Vietnamese.

This is a quick, easy read for anyone who wants an introduction to Vietnamese culture, particularly business culture. The clip art in the book looks cheap and the authors could have used tone marks in the Vietnamese vocabulary section. (Vietnamese is a tonal language and using different tones changes the meaning of words.) But, overall it is a useful book for anyone planning a personal or business trip to Vietnam.

This is one of the two books I read in preparing for a 3 week stay in Vietnam. The content was right on the mark, and helpful for even this non-business traveler.

I enjoyed this yarn with its description of the retreat from SE Asia at the beginning of the 2nd World War and the heart renching impact this had for all concerned.

I felt the descriptions and characterisations were pretty good. This is a subject which has given rise to a small literature in English. Two other novels are "Surrender" (I don't recall the author) an excellent story about the escape by boat from the Philippines to Australia of two children and a US serviceman and Alistair MacLean's "South To Java Head".

I felt the characterisation of the emotional pain felt by the crew of the elderly destroyer as she left Manila was well captured. I can't help but think that the retired Rear Admiral, who co-authored the work with his son was writing from personal experience, as a young officer dealing with a crew who had emotional commitments in Manila.

One also gets the impression from the description of the ship, its escape and actions that the authors have personal knowledge of the type.

This kind of well researched detail in a novel always gives it a sense of realism and immediacy.

Having lived and worked in South East Asia for a decade or so I can say that some of the descriptions are pretty good.

The romance between the young officer and his Dutch sweetheart is nicely described.

In places the book does become a bit two dimensional, however, the quality of the story carries the reader through these patches.

If the retired Admiral wrote his autobiography I am sure his story would make an interesting read.

This review is submitted on condition the content is not ammended.

South to Java is the story of the US and allied navies which were tasked with the defence of the Philippines and Dutch East Indies at the outset of World War II. It is the story of the crew of the destroyer O'LEARY and their lives in the Far East. Admiral Mack was a participant as a young Naval officer in this campaign and I have no doubt much of what he writes is based on his experiences. The charecters of the crew are excellent and true to life. One of the chiefs is hated by all of the crew, yet he comes through in a crunch and helps prevent the ship from sinking after a battle. Other chiefs are much more humane but equally competent. The Sailors are all totally believable and all are extremely competent and in many cases are doing double duty in keeping the ship operating and at the same time teaching the officers the fine art of leadership. The officers are all believeable whether they were competent or otherwise. This is a story of the old Asiatic Fleet; where Sailors made whole careers serving there and then retiring after 20-30 years. Some Sailors served in the same ship for 8-10 years; a far cry from todays rotating men and women every 2-3 years. The other members of the crew, from the engineers, to the gunners mates, the torpedomen and to the doctor all resonate with authenticity. The romatic aspects of the book are not neglected and they are all extremely well and sensitively done. I was a little surprised to see an Admiral writing with such sensitivity. The interactions between the allies also is well done. These were men who were facing a highly trained and highly professional foe sailing in modern ships and using modern aircraft extremely well. Facing the Japanese fleet was a collection of ships that were obsolete and ready for the scrap heap in many instances. As the authors said at one point, the ships weren't worth much but the crews were worth a great deal. This is a story that doesn't really end. It is really only the end of the beginning. The survivors are left with having made it out of danger but are going to have to go back and face it again to bring the war to a close. Admiral Mack has written other books in this time line, but I would like to see a final book that brings closure to the sacrifices of the men of the O'LEARY in his book about the start of World War II in the Pacific. This is an exceptional book and one that you won't put down. It is one that I have read any number of times and find it just as good a read now as when I first read it. Anyone with an interest in the real Navy as opposed to the Navy of Tom Clancy should read this.

This book was a real sleeper. I picked it up for a friend and ended up learning a lot. I really was pulled into the story of Destroyer Captain and his men fighting their way south from the Phillipines after Japanese attack Dec 7, 1941 (on the same day Pearl Harbor was attacked). I found myself rooting for the likeable crew on their journey,and I was so taken by the story that I did more research on the early part of the war in the Pacific after finishing the book. Highly recommended!

This is a somewhat tedious book that does not really break any new ground in its descripion of people's experiences with the events surrounding the fall of South Vietnam. The tediousness in the book comes from the fact that there is so much similarity in the experiences related: South Vietnam was worth fighting for, America let us down, it was hard to get out of Saigon, Thai pirates preyed on boat people, Americans who'd shed sweat or blood in Vietnam were terribly disappointed with how things turned out, etc. I would have appreciated some more diversity in people's experience (as Studs Terkel did in "The Good War" where we read not only about 18 year old combat soldiers, but also WW II draft dodgers, etc.). I also found myself getting weary of reading that America let the South Vietnamese down. ...

I've read a fair amount about Vietnam (Fire In the Lake, Karnow's Vietnam, Chickenhawk, etc.), all definitely worth reading, but this book ... the many stories and experiences, is the most memorable. It's rare to find a singular event remembered and retold from so many different perspectives. Well balanced and presented.

I shed many tears while reading this beautifully written collection of stories about the fall of Saigon. They are stories of tragedy inflicted by human beings upon each other. They are stories of human spirits surviving, triumphing over the most horrible situations. You will never be able to forget the people, the stories once you read the book. I highly recommend it.

I have always been fascinated by Burma in all its aspects and I wanted to be more informed on the current political and social situations. The subject is certainly very interesting but I personally found the book itself very boring and repetitive: The concepts and ideas are repeated dozens of times in different chapters, over and over again. This book would have been much more powerful and appealing with 100 pages instead of 300.

In this book, as in "Freedom from Fear" and "Letters from Burma", Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi exposes to the world the grim realities of her land and her people, seen through her very eyes. As always, she is able to jump with great ability from more personal and sentimental accounts of the situation, to hard data, from recollections of her childhood, to perspectives on Burma's future. Always filled with thrill and dense with emotions, her writings are for the expert and the ignorant alike, easy to understand, yet of high value historically and academically. For anyone wishing to know more about Burma and the struggle of her people for human rights, this is must reading.

This book shocked me awake to the realities of countries where freedom is not enjoyed as in the United Sates. The government's repression and horrific inhumantiy are just unbelievable. But, more amazing is the dedication to nonviolence which Aung San Suu Kyi and her party follow in their democracy movement. Her manner in speaking of Burma's serious situation is so calm, hopeful, and loving that it makes one reinterpret and recast their interactions with their own worlds. One may also reflect on one's place in humanity and see that Burma's tragedy, Burma's fate, is our own and we must act now. Aung San's hope and strength are qualities we would do well to adopt as our own. I do not think it is possible for one to read this book and NOT feel urged to take some form of real action (via letter writing, publicizing the issue, etc).

The title of this book is misleading, though humorous. Distracted on the one hand by messages from 'everywhere', and especially from Lord Mountbatten's headquarters, and plagued on the other: 1)by the need to deal with the surrendered Japanese (who were charged to guard the still full prisoner camps from those Indonesians bent on revenge against the Dutch); 2)by the imperious demands of the Dutch; and 3)by the disunited but potentially dangerous Indonesians, Admiral Patterson, on the Cumberland, anchored in the harbor at Batavia, sent this message to Lord Mountbatten: "We can continue to rock the baby to sleep only if you people outside the house would not make so much noise." Van der Post "promised the Admiral that night, that if [he] lived, [he] would one day write a story about all that had happened and was happening to [them] in Indonesia, and call it The Admiral's Baby"(74). A bit unfortunate, as the title has nothing to do with the contents of this book, which is an account of how the British dealt with the enormously complex task that had been thrust upon them in postwar Indonesia. [Incidentally, van der Post had the highest regard for both Admiral Patterson (he dedicated the book to Patterson and to General Philip Christison) and for Lord Mountbatten, for whose powers of intuition he had the greatest admiration.] The occasion for the writing of this book, near the end of his long life, was van der Post's coming across in his papers a copy of the extensive report that he had written for the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs on the history of this British period in Indonesia. It is an important document in its own right, is printed in full here, and is amplfied by much of the rest of the book. Both book and document contain scathing attacks on those Dutch who believed that they could simply move in, if necessary by force, and reestablish themselves as colonial masters, as though the war had not changed things forever. Van der Post occasionally attacks puffed up British officers as well, though he tries, and his psychological insight is great, to understand them. On the whole, however, he worked with men and women whom he found admirable and he had a penetrating ability to judge character. Although the book is a bit disjointed, on a deep level it has a certain unity. Van der Post deeply respected what he saw as an underlying Buddhism in Indonesia, and was overwhelmed by the sacred Buddhist monument, the Borobudur. He ends his book with a religious reflection of his own, that we are put here "to fulfil to the utmost what one was born to be...."(321).

An uncommon look at history from a creator of history. Mr. Van der Post's illuminating mystical humnanistic work describes his position at the vanguard of British efforts to keep the lid on the island of Java while transitioning from the Japanese occupation to a new political system. It is also an intensely personal exploration of the author's feelings and realizations after his 3 1/2 years of cruel confinement in a Japanese prison camp, after which he was asked to monitor the Japanese till the takeover of Allied forces was complete. Add to the mix a highly charged nationalism appearing unexpectedly in the Indonesian population aimed primarily at their former overlords the Dutch, and there is plenty to follow in this very dense read. I highly recommend it.

A description of the actions of a lone remaining British former POW in Post World War II Java (Indonesia) While the story is fascinating the author's poetic writing style and pscychological insights make it both hauntingly beautiful and intellectually challenging. I highly reccommend it for the reader interested in different writing styles.

I've been a reader of Stephens' work for some time, and enjoyed reading about the successes of various expats throughout the region. The reason this gets 3 stars is because every tale is about an expat who ends up having an almost 'storybook' adventure and, like all storybooks, lives happily ever after amongst their riches or in their castles. While a few of these stories sprinkled throughout the book would have added some vibrant color, an entire book of tales such as these was a bit much. I expected and would have appreciated the book to feature primarily regular-joe-type expats who are somewhat successful in Asia, yet still somehow have achieved successes that aren't out of reach of the average person with enough ambition.

This book tells how people not only dream of different lives, but live them. You too can share their joys as well as their misadventures. Visit with them and enjoy the tales of the famous and not so famous visitors they have intertained. How can you make a living when you had nothing to start with. This not a "how to" book but shows what can be done when you set your mind and heart to the task. Mostly the characters have raised above the crowd in their likes, desires, and true life experiences. Reviewed by Dave and Connie Pryor.

In this book, Stephens introduces the reader to some of the fascinating expatriate men and women he has come to know over the years. The stories are biographies of action photographers, artists, philosophers, entrepreneurs, sailors, environmentalists, and others, and are as varied and alluring as Southeast Asia itself. A word of caution: those who are dissatisfied with their present lives or occupations may be influenced by these characters and run off to distant lands seeking adventure or their own fortune