Don't Break My Rice Bowl

A beautiful and gripping novel, highlighting the personal and tragic struggles faced during the Vietnam War, bringing the late author and his 'forgotten' manuscript to life

Inbunden, Engelska, 2022

Av Robert H. Dodd, Patricia Rykiel, Beth Jackson, Robert Dodd

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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.'All-Colour, Hard Cover Edition

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2022-11-21
Mått140 x 216 x 24 mm
Vikt640 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieHoley Jumper Press
Antal sidor306
FörlagHoley Jumper Press
IllustratörRykiel, Justine
ISBN9781739615505

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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, 1966ForewordPrologue: The JogPART ONEHearts and MindsRICEDavinia and RositaPART TWOSaigon, 'the Pearl of the Far East'The DocksColonel HorstThe OrphanageThe CooperativeTedDynamo WillVery Big LuckZoomThe VIPsCarlVillage PigletsMarshmallow and CricketHouse PartyPART THREELunar New Year, 1968Deadly BelieversThe Weed KillersEvil MachineBroken Rice BowlsFace-OffLove SongAfterwordAPPENDIXA Vietnam Vet's Book ReviewCharacter ListWriter InspirationRobert H. Dodd, Overseas Assignment LifeAcknowledgement and ThanksBook Club QuestionsThe Team DBMRB Bios

‘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