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My Heritage 'not only recounts the events, persons and places that featured in Hien's life; it gives the reader an unforgettable insight into daily life, into the strong web of relationships and friendships that form the framework of one girl's story and of her country's strength. The detail is amazing, and it lets the reader experience through each of the senses the sights, sounds, and even foods of Hien's homeland ... The horrors of the War, its aftermath, the subsequent lack of freedom and the loss of all once held dear -- these form the matrix out of which the family's dangerous escape is narrated. Yet through all the fear and constant tension, the inherent strength and love of Hien's parents and siblings shine forth. It is hard to put the book down as the net tightens around the boys and the father bargains for their escape with everything he has earned in a lifetime.' Catherine Hammond, Editor; 'The engaging story-line and overall narrative structure, the poetic sensibility, the fascinating cultural knowledge, the warmth and passion of the voice, and the very emotionally moving revelations of the impact of war and revolution on families and on culture are evident and work brilliantly - I often felt tearful or distressed as I read of the terrible things happening in such a beautiful country and family.' Patti Miller, Author and founder of the Life Stories Workshop; 'It is powerful, moving and quite remarkable.' Rod Morrison, Picador Publisher (formerly); 'This is a significant and often beautiful and very sad book.' Peter Bishop, Varuna Creative Director (formerly); 'Outstanding work. A richly detailed and poignant moment in a young life.' Elizabeth Stewart, Author; 'A fascinating non-fiction piece of work that is both colourful and amazingly well detailed.' Laurent Boulanger, Author and Actor; 'An extensively researched and beautifully written piece that looks at the recent history of Vietnam.' Trish Bolton, Journalist Lecturer; 'An outstanding journal.' Carolyn Beasley, Author; 'Hien! I think what you've done is marvellous! Such a lovely book ... the way it retains its beautiful delicacy, even through the worst and saddest times.' Judith Lukin-Amundsen, Editor; 'Beautiful memoir. Honest, detailed, engaging and a sad book. Touched my heart.' Farshid, Reader, Sep 2016; 'A wonderfully well written book. A fascinating and unforgettable insight into life and culture in Vietnam. The stories and detail is amazing.' Dr Harry Doan, Reader, Sep 2016; 'Minh Hien is very admirable to spent so much time and effort to write her book. Congratulations to her and every success in her career.' Fu lee, Reader, Sep 2016; 'My Heritage have brought back many memories from my childhood, the stories I've heard from my parents and grandmother. The cruelty of Japanese soldiers, grandfather's life threatened by Viet Minh, and his family exodus from the North to South, most of all the heartache and hardship my mother, my grandmother had endured through it all. Thank you Minh Hien for candidly sharing your history without prejudice or judgement, you've reminded me of the beauty and endurance of the country of my birth through lyrical poetry, mouth watering cuisines, folk lore, and the grace of Vietnamese couture. I'm in debt to you for a piece of literature that I'm proud to pass on to my children.' ttt, Reader, Sep 2016; 'A memoir about growing up in Vietnam - rich with fascinating detail of a most extraordinary culture My Heritage by Minh Hien. I worked on her ms a few years back and it is wonderful to see it finished.' Patti Miller, Author and Founder of Life Stories Workshop; 'A good story teller, Minh Hien must have spent a lot of time researching and recollecting events that happened both to the Tran's three generation members and to Vietnam itself. For all readers of Vietnamese heritage, after reading My heritage , would give readers a better understanding of our parents & grand parents generations. And for others, the story is not only interesting, it's an accurate apathetic description of historical events of 3 generations that ultimately change the course of many ordinary life by the affect of war.' Avga Captain, Reader, Aug 2016; 'My Heritage is a great story, beautifully told. While it is a very sad story of a family separated by war, there is much beauty and joy in the poetic descriptions of everyday Vietnamese life and the resilience of Minh Hien's family. Scholarship and advancement through education are highly valued in this story and Minh Hien's remarkable achievements, including numerous academic qualifications are a testament to her family's determination and her discipline and hard work.' Dianne Vincent, Reader, Sep 2016

Author Information

In 1981, when seventeen-year-old Minh Hien fled Viet Nam in a tiny fishing boat to follow her quest for education, she left behind her parents, her safety and her custom. Through the rough waters, she carried a rich culture and the stories of three generations in her heart, which she now shares in her memoir, My Heritage: Viet Nam fatherland motherland. Minh Hien was born in Quang Ngai, a small town in central Viet Nam, famous for its sugarcane products; she grew up in the cultural melting pot of Sai Gon. In July 1981, Minh Hien, who spoke very little English, arrived in Hobart. In November, the following year, she sat for six level-three matriculation examinations and was awarded the prizes for the highest mark in Analysis and Statistics and the Tasmania University Exhibition. She then enrolled for a Bachelor of Engineering and was awarded the H.M. Bamford Scholarship. Four years later, she graduated with honours and was awarded a postgraduate scholarship for a research degree in engineering, specialising in Adaptive Control. Since matriculation, she has worked with more than ten organisations in various industries in Hobart and Sydney and held many senior positions in various professions. While working, she studied for eight qualifications in the fields of Engineering, Accounting, Commerce, Management, Arts and Education. Among her postgraduate qualifications are a Master of Engineering Science with the University of Tasmania, a Master of Commerce with the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Arts in Writing with Swinburne University of Technology and a Master of Higher Education with Macquarie University. Minh Hien is featured in Who's Who in Tasmania 2008, Inaugural Print Edition by Crown Content, the century-old publisher of Who's Who.

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