Vietnam : a global studies handbook

Title:

Author:

Woods, L. Shelton.

ISBN:

9781576074169

Publication Date:

2002

Publication Information:

Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c2002.

Physical Description:

xvii, 279 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm.

Language:

English

Series:

Global studies, Asia

Global studies. Asia.

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Status
Searching... Rosemead Library	Book	R 959.7	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Rosemead Library	Reference book	R 959.7	Searching... Unknown

The only handbook on Vietnam that combines colorful, discursive chapters and supporting reference materials.

Beginning with a lengthy introduction to Vietnam's past, this book traces the historical context that serves as a foundation for the present-day society and culture of this Southeast Asian nation. Intended for nonspecialists and other Asian enthusiasts, this work gives readers a thorough understanding of this diverse, richly storied land. From Vietnam's indigenous dynasties to outside influences including Buddhism, Confucianism, Western imperialism, and the Chinese bureaucracy system, the long path to a Vietnamese identity is traced--one that showcases a people's resilience, creativity, and intense love of freedom. This volume includes translations of numerous primary documents. From the narrative sections on Vietnamese history and society to the A-Z format of significant people and events, Vietnam: A Global Studies Handbook brings Vietnam to life.

Reviews: (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 10 Up-This volume provides comprehensive information. The first section is made up of four narrative chapters that review Vietnam's geography and history, economy, institutions, society, and contemporary issues. The second part, arranged for reference use, includes a time line and a section of short, alphabetically arranged entries about important people, places, and events. Further chapters give introductory information about language, food, etiquette, and holidays, and a listing of organizations that can provide information or assistance to those who wish to travel or do business there. Woods discusses the Vietnamese people's potential and ability to overcome adversity and the obstacles they face as they confront the legacy of decades of war, economic strife, and political ineptitude. Although most of the book is objective, the author tends to gloss over the repressive and often brutal policies practiced by Ho Chi Minh's regime. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography and there is a good general index, but the black-and-white photos and the three introductory maps add little to the text. Although the book contains a wealth of information, it is often dry and the reading level is advanced. Those factors will limit its audience, making it a supplemental purchase for most high school libraries.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

These and other titles in the Global Studies: Asia series provide good overviews for high-school and undergraduate students. Narrative sections are supported by reference materials that include chronologies; dictionaries of key events, people, and places; discussions of language, food, and etiquette; lists of relevant organizations; and an annotated bibliography.

Series Editor's Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xv
Maps	p. xix
Part 1 Narrative Section	p. 1
1 Vietnam's Geography and History	p. 3
The Physical and Human Geography of Vietnam	p. 4
Rice and Society	p. 8
The Difficulties in Vietnam Today	p. 10
The Name Vietnam	p. 11
Vietnam before Chinese Domination	p. 13
The Chinese Millennium	p. 15
Vietnam's Transition to Independence	p. 21
The Ly Dynasty	p. 23
The Tran Dynasty	p. 27
The Le Dynasty	p. 31
The Tay Son Rebellion	p. 35
France Rules Vietnam	p. 46
Vietnamese Nationalism	p. 49
The VNQDD and Ho Chi Minh	p. 53
World War II and Vietnam	p. 57
The First Indochina War	p. 62
The Second Indochina War	p. 65
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam	p. 76
2 Vietnam's Economy	p. 85
Historical Context	p. 87
Recent Economic Indicators	p. 96
Agriculture and Rural Vietnam	p. 98
Industry	p. 103
Vietnam and Foreign Aid	p. 105
3 Vietnamese Institutions	p. 109
Vietnamese Politics and Government	p. 110
The Vietnamese Communist Party	p. 110
National Party Congress	p. 113
Central Committee	p. 118
Politburo	p. 118
Vietnam's Constitution	p. 119
Vietnam's Armed Forces	p. 123
Vietnam's Educational System	p. 129
Primary and Secondary Schools	p. 133
Higher Education in Vietnam	p. 137
Private Education in Vietnam	p. 138
Vietnamese Religion	p. 140
Chinese Religious Influence	p. 142
Buddhism in China	p. 145
Religion and the SRV	p. 152
4 Vietnamese Society and Contemporary Issues	p. 161
Rural Vietnam	p. 161
Women in Vietnamese Society	p. 165
AIDS and Drugs in Vietnam	p. 171
A New Generation	p. 175
Sex and the New Generation	p. 178
The Viet Kieu	p. 179
Conclusion	p. 186
Part 2 Reference Materials	p. 191
Key Events in Vietnamese History	p. 193
Significant People, Places, and Events	p. 199
Vietnamese Language, Food, Etiquette, and Holidays	p. 229
Language	p. 229
Names	p. 232
Greetings	p. 233
Food	p. 233
Etiquette	p. 243
Holidays	p. 246
Vietnam-Related Organizations	p. 251
Business and Economic	p. 251
Government/Embassy/Miscellaneous Information	p. 252
Annotated Bibliography of Recommended Works on Vietnam	p. 257
Index	p. 265
About the Author	p. 279

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School Library Journal Review

Booklist Review

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