Don't Break My Rice Bowl
Robert H. Dodd
Feeling life is slipping him by, an American agriculturalist heads to Vietnam to try and make a difference in the lives of the people as part of President Johnson's 'Hearts and Minds' campaign. There is just one big problem - there's a war going on.
Eddie joins a small group of civilian advisors chosen to work with local farmers to help make Vietnam once again self-sufficient in rice. He is drawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the opportunity to make a difference, but he is leaving some problems behind.
His story follows the ups and downs of cultural and tropical agriculture training in Washington DC and the Philippines, and then his assignment in the Gia Dinh province just outside Saigon. The stakes increase as the war intensifies and Eddie's connections in the country deepen, providing the backdrop for the cultural, political and personal struggles that unfold.
This semi-autobiographical novel shines a light on a relatively unknown part of Vietnam War history as elements of Asian history and culture, including the introduction of 'miracle rice', are woven into the challenges of being a civilian trying to work - and live - in a war zone.
The poignant Foreword by his daughter, the Afterword by his second wife, the Appendix, and 25 hand painted illustrations by his granddaughter provide added layers to the story. The fragility of life was the late author's parting lesson; however, these words left behind were his ultimate gift.
Duration - 8h 15m.
Author - Robert H. Dodd.
Narrator - Danny Holt.
Published Date - Tuesday, 16 January 2024.
Copyright - © 2022 Patricia Rykiel ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Feeling life is slipping him by, an American agriculturalist heads to Vietnam to try and make a difference in the lives of the people as part of President Johnson's 'Hearts and Minds' campaign. There is just one big problem - there's a war going on. Eddie joins a small group of civilian advisors chosen to work with local farmers to help make Vietnam once again self-sufficient in rice. He is drawn to the adventure, the challenge, and the opportunity to make a difference, but he is leaving some problems behind. His story follows the ups and downs of cultural and tropical agriculture training in Washington DC and the Philippines, and then his assignment in the Gia Dinh province just outside Saigon. The stakes increase as the war intensifies and Eddie's connections in the country deepen, providing the backdrop for the cultural, political and personal struggles that unfold. This semi-autobiographical novel shines a light on a relatively unknown part of Vietnam War history as elements of Asian history and culture, including the introduction of 'miracle rice', are woven into the challenges of being a civilian trying to work - and live - in a war zone. The poignant Foreword by his daughter, the Afterword by his second wife, the Appendix, and 25 hand painted illustrations by his granddaughter provide added layers to the story. The fragility of life was the late author's parting lesson; however, these words left behind were his ultimate gift. Duration - 8h 15m. Author - Robert H. Dodd. Narrator - Danny Holt. Published Date - Tuesday, 16 January 2024. Copyright - © 2022 Patricia Rykiel ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:23:26
Praise for Don't Break My Rice Bowl
Duration:01:29:35
Dedication and Quote
Duration:00:18:26
The White House Letter, 1966
Duration:01:45:58
Foreword
Duration:16:17:15
Prologue: The Jog
Duration:15:41:23
PART ONE
Duration:00:01:44
1: Hearts and Minds
Duration:15:43:21
2: RICE
Duration:21:09:57
3: Divinia and Rosita
Duration:32:09:11
PART TWO
Duration:00:01:05
4: Saigon, 'The Pearl of the Far East'
Duration:23:48:58
5: The Docks
Duration:25:41:21
6: Colonel Horst
Duration:15:05:57
7: The Orphanage
Duration:21:57:19
8: The Cooperative
Duration:21:46:10
9: Ted
Duration:26:04:35
10: Dynamo Will
Duration:19:54:34
11: Very Big Luck
Duration:22:32:14
12: Zoom
Duration:19:25:43
13: The VIPs
Duration:28:48:05
14: Carl
Duration:16:07:55
15: Village Piglets
Duration:17:19:57
16: Marshmallow and Cricket
Duration:13:30:08
17: House Party
Duration:24:18:02
PART THREE
Duration:00:01:00
18: Lunar New Year, 1968
Duration:13:56:19
19: Deadly Believers
Duration:23:46:58
20: The Weed Killers
Duration:16:03:00
21: Evil Machine
Duration:13:43:36
22: Broken Rice Bowls
Duration:13:22:09
23: Face-Off
Duration:15:01:49
24: Love Song
Duration:05:02:33
Afterword
Duration:13:07:57
APPENDIX
Duration:00:01:47
A Vietnam Vet's Book Review
Duration:02:52:41
Department of State Letter, 1969
Duration:01:40:47
Rice Harvesting Poem
Duration:00:53:49
Acknowledgements and Thanks
Duration:05:52:27
Book Club Questions
Duration:01:37:08
Patricia chatting with Flloyd Kennedy, Voice Coach, 2024
Duration:27:03:35
The Team DBMRB Bios
Duration:04:19:53
End Credits
Duration:00:26:06