It is good to know that people are out there fulfilling missions of peace and goodwill, I am tired of reading about the war. My dad is a Vietnam vet who left a child behind that I have never met. This has lead me to a real interest in the life of the common Vietnamese. This book satisfies some of that curiosity.
The books major redeeming quality is in the outstanding photography by Rob Howard, and is worth purchasing for that reason alone. A great coffee table book.
I plan on giving the book to a Vietnamese friend whom I fished with. He used to tell me about fishing in Vietnam and the pictures added weight to his stories. I will update this review with his opinion of the book.
I had to snicker when the author continually complains about not being allowed to access certain areas that were off limits due to military sensitivities. Try paddling your canoe around an American naval base, say, Bangor Naval Substation, were it says to stay out, and see what happens. Do you think any governments military would be different, especially to an American? Or do you believe that your entitled to special privileges? It is an eyeopener to some people, I guess, to realize this world isn't about catering to your wants.
The acknowledgment section shows a more mature side of the author however, and seemed to negate my feelings about his spoiled remarks and leave me with a since that the book was worth reading. After all, its debatable if I could have done any better.
http://www.amazon.com/Descending-Dragon-Journey-Coast-Vietnam/dp/1426203047
http://www.vietscape.com/travel/halong/
http://travelblog.viator.com/vietnam-halong-bay/
http://home.earthlink.net/~2551/id31.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha_Long_Bay
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