Land of the Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam [Paperback]

Paul Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

Three Vietnam veterans rediscover this country of captivating beauty and fascinating cultural treasures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Offering a vivid and informative look at the new Vietnam - at peace and emerging in economic freedoms reshaping this society" -- Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. (Ret.)

"The reader encounters a rich historical tapestry, scenic beauty, architecture, art,religion, festivals, and the friendly, outgoing Vietnamese people too." -- Richard Busch, Editor, National Geographic Traveler

"This book gives important insights into this farway land. The photos bring the old Vietnam together with today's Vietnam." -- Jan Scruggs, President, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

About the Author

Paul Martin started his writing career in 1968 as a U.S. Navy journalist after receiving a B.A. in English from Central Missouri State University. In 1970, he was stationed in Vietnam, covering American and South Vietnamese naval activities.

Following his service, he earned an M.A. in journalism at the University of Missouri, and for the next six years he was managing editor of the monthly medical journal Continuing Education for the Family Physician. In 1979, Martin joined the staff of the National Geographic Society, where he has been an editor of World magazine and written or edited over a dozen books. Since 1989, Martin has been managing editor of National Geographic Traveler, four time winner of the Folio: Editorial Excellence Award for best travel magazine. He has contributed articles on other destinatations too.

Steve Raymer, a National Geographic magazine photographer for more than two decades, is a professor of journalism at Indiana University in Bloomington. He's also on the faculty of the University's Russian and East European Institute. Raymer earned B.S. and M.A. degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied Soviet and Russian affairs at Stanford University as John S. Knight Journalism Fellow. As an Army public affairs officer from 1967 to 1969, Raymer escorted correspondents covering the Vietnam War. He joined the staff of National Geographic in 1972, launching a career that has taken him to over 80 nations. Raymer's photographs have illustrated some 30 National Geographic articles and numerous Society books. Raymer was named Magazine Photographer of the Year in 1976 by the National Press Photographers Association and received a citation for excellence in foreign reporting from the Overseas Press Club in 1981. He's a four time first-prize winner of the White House News Photographers' Association photo contest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hastings House (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803893965
• ISBN-13: 978-0803893962
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,328,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vietnam is not just another name for war, July 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Land of the Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam (Paperback)

The authors do an excellent job of transposing the "American Image" of Vietnam into the beautiful and complex country that it really is. It draws from that "American Image" rooted in the drama of the war years, and gradually leads us to a clearer understanding of just what the country is today (and what it was before the intensity of the U.S. involvement)and where it may go in the future. It is encouraging, and very hopeful, to see the country and its people re-anchored in their traditional values--in spite of the current relic of communism--and to appreciate the renewed emphasis on education, family, business, and integration into the world economy. Clearly, it has been a long hard row to hoe, but it is moving in the right direction. Jack Smith's introduction lays this out, and it is reenforced by the text and Mr. Raymer's revealing photographs. The result is a far better sense of place and people.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Work., January 6, 2002

By 

alainviet "alainviet" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Land of the Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam (Paperback)

The author provides us with beautiful photographs of Vietnam, a thousand year old country. Pictures of mountains, seas, paddy fields, towns and villages alternated with those of children afflicted with war induced deformities and a veteran amputee receving treatment. What makes the book interesting is the juxtaposition of black photographs of the war and colored images of the present.

For the past is interwined with the present. The horrors of the war have left indelible marks on the people and country alike as Raymer has shown us in his book.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A five-star effort by all three guys!, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Land of the Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam (Paperback)

Jack Smith's introduction says it all -- Vietnam is a beautiful, peaceful land that is going places. Doing this book brought back a lot of memories and was a tonic for the soul. Enjoy it!