Essays into Vietnamese Pasts

Studies on Southeast Asia #19

by Keith Weller Taylor (Editor), John K. Whitmore (Editor)

Essays that demonstrate ways to "read" the pasts of Vietnam through detailed analyses of its art, chronicles, legends, documents, and monuments. The book's many voices undermine the idea of a single Vietnamese past. All the essays, while varied, are connected by their common concerns with language and text.

Genres: History

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Viet Phuong]

Excellent book about the history of Vietnam with a well-organized string of articles covering the mythological, feudal, colonial, revolutionary, and modern Vietnam (it is a pity that there is no article directly linked to the Vietnam War, but that is just a minor complaint). The best thing about this collection is the fact that it presents a balanced, well-thought, and innovative discussion about polarizing subjects like the depictions of Ho Chi Minh by the Communist Party or the myths surrounding Ton Duc Thang's life. This is a wonderful example of how academic freedom in the U.S. can help elevate real studies about an interesting but controversial field of study like the history of Vietnam from the muddy ground of propaganda and hatred that was formed by native researchers both inside and outside of Vietnam.