CYBILS SENIOR HIGH NONFICTION: Failing Up/Courageous Women of the Vietnam War
ABOUT THE BOOK
Leslie Odom. Jr, burst on the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton. Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sung for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before he landed the role of a lifetime in one of the biggest musicals of all time, Odom put in years of hard work as a singer and an actor.
With personal stories from his life, Odom asks the questions that will help you unlock your true potential and achieve your goals even when they seem impossible. What work did you put in today that will help you improve tomorrow? How do you surround yourself with people who will care about your dreams as much as you do? How do you know when to play it safe and when to risk it all for something bigger and better?
These stories will inspire you, motivate you, and empower you for the greatness that lies ahead, whether you're graduating from college, starting a new job, or just looking to live each day to the fullest.
REVIEW
Books that intend to be inspirational don't always click with me. Sometimes I just don't relate to the author, or the advice is bad or unrealistic, and sometimes the content is simply to sugary sweet or positive to be really helpful. But I thoroughly enjoyed this one by Leslie Odom, Jr. Not only is it very well written, making it easy to read, but the stories are relatable and relevant to the principles and concepts he talks about. I especially enjoyed the peek into his experiences getting into show business and the ups and downs that followed. The concepts shared are applicable to anyone young or old and I found them truly inspiring.
ABOUT THE BOOK
One of just a handful of women reporting on the Vietnam War, Kate Webb was captured by North Vietnamese troops and presumed dead—until she emerged from the jungle waving a piece of white parachute material after 23 days in captivity. Le Ly Hayslip enjoyed a peaceful early childhood in a Vietnamese farming village before war changed her life forever. Brutalized by all sides, she escaped to the United States, where she eventually founded two humanitarian organizations. Lynda Van Devanter was an idealistic young nurse in 1969 when a plane carrying her and 350 men landed in South Vietnam. Her harrowing experiences working in a combat zone hospital would later serve as inspiration for the TV series China Beach.
In these pages readers meet these and other brave women and girls who served in life-threatening roles as medics, journalists, resisters, and revolutionaries in the conflict in Vietnam. Author Kathryn J. Atwood presents a clear introduction to each of five chronological sections, guiding readers through the social and political turmoil that spanned two decades and the tenure of five US presidents. Each woman's story unfolds in a suspenseful, engaging way, incorporating plentiful original source materials, quotes, and photographs. Resources for further study, source notes and a bibliography, and a helpful map and glossary round out this exploration of one of modern history's most divisive wars, making it an invaluable addition to any student's or history buff's bookshelf.
REVIEW
The collection of stories included in this book includes a nice variety of experiences. It's clear the author worked hard to gather information on the lives of many women who experienced Vietnam in some way. The stories included range from civilians and victims to nurses, reporters, volunteers, a North Vietnamese surgeon, and even a war protester. This provided me with a variety of different perspectives on the war and the experiences these women had. Many of the stories are heartbreaking in the suffering and destruction these women witnessed or were a part of, directly or indirectly. No one could read these stories and remain untouched by the horribleness of war. The ladies themselves had/have different views on the rightness and wrongness of the war and while the author includes these views, she doesn't try to say who is right or wrong. She simply tells the stories. As I looked at the notes and references and suggested resources, I was pleased to see so many primary sources listed. Many of the women who are included in the book have told their own stories elsewhere, making this book a jumping off point for those who want to learn more. This book is a valuable resource for those who want to look at the historical experiences of an often overlooked group of war veterans/survivors.
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