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.'
Rezensionen / Stimmen
'It
was an honor to read this excellent addition to the literature of the Vietnam
War.'
-Bill McCloud, Vietnam
Veterans of America (VVA)
'What a brilliant,
moving and vivid "through the looking glass" book this is. An
irresistible read; beautiful, cover to cover.'
-Gareth J. Mitchell, Presenter, BBC World Service
'Don't Break My Rice Bowl is an inspiring story - showing one man's dedication
to helping others - at considerable personal cost. It is also instructive -
revealing the limits of such dedication. I can only imagine what it meant to
Robert Dodd's daughter to find this "hidden treasure".'
-Dr Kenneth Greene, Retired Chair of Social Sciences and History
Department, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, USA
'From the fundamentals of getting food on the table, to the role and impact of
fathers, from ambitions to benevolence, not to mention a "Godless"
war, there is something for everyone. If I were back in the classroom, I'd
teach this book in a heartbeat. It would encourage a plethora of classroom
conversation!'
-Nicholas M. Guarracino, Editor and former English Teacher
'To the thousands of histories, memoirs, and novels of America's Vietnam
Experience, this is a laudable addition, a descriptive, fast-paced story told
from the point of view, not of a combatant, journalist or citizen, but by a
civilian agricultural expert inspired by the miracle of rice. Eddie represents
the America and the Americans who really wanted to make life better for the
Vietnamese. This thought-provoking book deserves a place in the light (not in a
dark drawer from where it came!). It is about survival, and so much more than a
story of war.'
-Dr Peter J. Woolley, American Political Scientist
Auflage
Sprache
Verlagsort
Editions-Typ
Maße
Höhe: 216 mm
Breite: 140 mm
Dicke: 18 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-7396155-3-6 (9781739615536)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Robert's early years were spent as a Geordie in South Shields, England, living in poverty on a working class street. World War II broke out when he was three - making him witness to the forceful German bombing campaign overhead. At nine he emigrated to America with his mother. After high school, Robert signed up for three years in the US Navy, closely followed by Cornell University to join the undergraduate 'Aggies' studying Biological & Agricultural Science. After graduation he began his career as a County Agricultural Agent in Upstate New York. From 1966 to 1987, he worked as an International Agricultural Advisor and Consultant. He received the USAID's Meritorious Honour Award for outstanding contributions to the Accelerated Rice Production Programme and the USA Medal of Civilian Service in Vietnam. 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.
White House letter from President Lyndon Johnson to Robert H. Dodd, 1966
Foreword
Prologue: The Jog
PART ONE
Hearts and Minds
RICE
Davinia and Rosita
PART TWO
Saigon, 'the Pearl of the Far East'
The Docks
Colonel Horst
The Orphanage
The Cooperative
Ted
Dynamo Will
Very Big Luck
Zoom
The VIPs
Carl
Village Piglets
Marshmallow and Cricket
House Party
PART THREE
Lunar New Year, 1968
Deadly Believers
The Weed Killers
Evil Machine
Broken Rice Bowls
Face-Off
Love Song
Afterword
APPENDIX
A Vietnam Vet's Book Review
Character List
Writer Inspiration
Robert H. Dodd, Overseas Assignment Life
Acknowledgement and Thanks
Book Club Questions
The Team DBMRB Bios
