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 Party PART THREELunar New Year, 1968 Deadly BelieversThe Weed KillersEvil MachineBroken Rice BowlsFace-OffLove Song AfterwordAPPENDIXA 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 literatureof the Vietnam War.'—Bill McCloud, Vietnam Veteransof America (VVA)'What a brilliant, moving and vivid "through the lookingglass" 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 dedicationto helping others - at considerable personal cost. It is also instructive -revealing the limits of such dedication. I can only imagine what it meant toRobert Dodd's daughter to find this "hidden treasure".'—Dr Kenneth Greene, Retired Chairof Social Sciences and History Department, Fairleigh Dickinson University,Madison, NJ, USA‘From the fundamentals of getting food on thetable, from ambitions to benevolence, not to mention a “Godless” war, there issomething for everyone. The additional non-fictional ‘bookend’ layers all lendthis book an irreplicable meta-narrative. In many ways, Don’t Break MyRice Bowl is both a book and a conversation about the book which thereader is invited to. If I were back in the classroom, I’d teach this book in aheartbeat.’—Nicholas M. Guarracino, Editorand former English Teacher‘To the thousands of histories, memoirs, andnovels of America’s Vietnam Experience, this is a laudable addition, adescriptive and evolving story told from the point of view, not of a combatant,journalist or citizen, but a civilian agricultural expert inspired by themiracle of rice. Eddie represents the America and the Americans who reallywanted to make life better for the Vietnamese. This thought-provoking bookdeserves a place in the light, not in a dark drawer from where it came. It isabout survival, and so much more than a story of war.’ —Dr Peter J. Woolley, AmericanPolitical Scientist