Customer Reviews

Windows to Vietnam: A Journey in Pictures and Verse

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What an enchanting journey to Vietman! The words and pictures of Windows provide a unique exposure to the culture, sights, sounds, smells, economy and lifestyle of Vietnam today. As you enjoy the beauty and history of Vietnam that this wonderful book brings to life, one must admire how Vietnam bridges its ancient past to its future. With images created by an insightful poet and brilliant photographs that speak to you, the authors weave their talents throughout every page to create a masterpiece.

I spent one month in Vięt Nam last year and although I shot more than 1800 pictures, may I say this is a wonderful and marvelleous book which has remembered me all my journeys. I recommend it to everybody who wishes to visit this amazing country.
I fell in love with Vięt Nam and their people. This is a different book; you have beautiful photographs far away from the ones you usually see in any publication shot by Scott Charles Clarkson; you read poems with a very special sensitivity written by Veita Jo Hampton and the Foreword written by Mark A. Ashwill is a must, before you start looking and reading the book.

More than simply a work of art or collection of jewels, "Window to Vietnam" is an equisite experience. It combines visual delight with intangible imagery to render a deep understanding of a multi-dimensional country... its past, present and the marvelous confluence of both. This book is a "coffee table must!" But don't be surprised to find yourself taking it to bed.

Windows to Vietnam is truly a beautiful book. Scott Clarkson's photography and Veita Jo Hampton's poetry complement each other perfectly. Clarkson's photographs selectively, yet effectively, show us both a people and a nation that are positive-thinking, confident, optimistic, and ambitious. At the same time, the book pays homage to the character, the culture, the history, and the heritage of the Vietnamese people. Hampton, recently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, in this book goes well beyond her proposal to Clarkson to allow her to "write to these photos": Her poetry looks not only at but deeply into, even beyond, the photographs and brings out details that are not readily visible in the photos, except perhaps to a poet's imagination and ability to "see" that which may not be evident to others. The metaphoric "Windows" in the title is most aptly chosen, as evidenced in "Carved Frames of Hue" (p. 55; photos pp. 48-57 and back of cover), as well as in other photographs and poems showing or alluding to windows and views. Clarkson's cover photo, "Friend on the Mekong," captures in a single shutter's click the face and figure of a man that reflects the strength, character, and heritage of the people of Vietnam. The poetry and the photographs stand as testimony to Hampton's view, quoted on the inside/back of the book's jacket, that the most effective communication is achieved through the "deliberate blending of words and pictures."

I'm very disappointed with the book. I bought the book for my coffee table, hoping that it would fill with beautiful pictures and interesting details of Vietnam. Instead it was filled with pictures of bad quality, worst off than some pictures I took with my point and shoot camera when I visited Vietnam. It seemed to focus too much into the ghettos and the poors of Vietnam, it does not show the true Vietnam. Overall, it is a bad quality book. I don't see how it could get some of the glowing reviews that I read.

I bought this as a gift to my host family. As I come from Hanoi, I expected a lot of photos about the capital, the Red River where our civilization originated, and more northern cultures. Instead, the book was full of glossy photos about the South and Mekong Delta.

Now I have no objection against the South as I lived in HCM City when I was small. But Ha Noi gets 2 photos in a big book with repeated scenes of the last dynasty's architecture and a small religious group as opposed to the remains of all other great architectural achievements in the North, the quaint temples, the traditional costumes and musical instruments. The book, although makes a good gift, is a disappointment to a Northerner. There are also inaccuracies: the land of ascending dragon is Ha Noi (main reason why Ly Thai To chose it as the capital), there are 54 ethnicities, not 60 ethnic regions(what is that?!) but as expected of a tourist.

This book was chosen for my mother who is legally blind. The interest in Vietnam was a response to her grandson's marriage in Vietnam. She was able to enjoy the pictures very much. The captions for the pictures are written with a poetic flair. My sister read the captions to our Mom. They both enjoyed the book together.

We bought this book to use as our guest book at our wedding, since we'll be honeymooning in Vietnam. It's perfect. There are large pages with great photos and plenty of white space for people to leave messages for us. It's the perfect alternative to a traditional guest book. Also, the photography is great - making us very excited to actually see Vietnam ourselves. There weren't any beach photos - which is one of the things we're really looking forward to in Vietnam, so that was a little disappointing.

I didn't know what to expect but this book is really full of real life pictures and also scenery. The text is also a nice support. It's very well done.

Vietnam is surely one of the most photogenic places on earth and the images in this lovely coffee table gift book bring this vibrant country into your home. Delightful, large format color photographs celebrate the land and people of Vietnam - its vibrant colors, ancient way of life, and active lifestyle. These remarkable pictures are accompanied by poems which riff on the themes evoked by the images - an intriguing merger of past, present and future in Vietnam today. Anyone who loves Vietnam will enjoy this gorgeous gift book celebrating the country and its people. Allison Martin, Families with Children Adopted from Vietnam.