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MWSA Review
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is an interesting memoir written by Jack Billups. From the beginning of his incredible story, I felt like Mr. Billups was sitting across the table from me as we had coffee and cookies. His narration reminded me of my neighbor, a humble man who served in Vietnam and became a quiet highly decorated hero. The two men have that in common.
The request of Jack’s daughter Naomi for her father to write his story of his time in Vietnam touched my heart. Her question set into motion a journey 50 years into the past as a "grunt" in the steamy jungles of Vietnam. After contacting several of the men with whom he served, Jack had compiled an accurate timeline and accounting of his time “in country.”
Four months later, with Jack’s memoir completed, Naomi asked another question. "Hey Dad, let's go to Vietnam, just you and me?" Could the ghosts of his Vietnam past morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is a heartwarming, compelling memoir that reconciles America and Vietnam, then and now, including the culture shock of seeing Vietnam as it exists today.”
Review by Nancy Panko (March 2024)
Author's Synopsis
"Hey Dad, instead of a gift, would you share your Vietnam experiences with me?" My daughter's request set into motion a journey 50 years into the past as a "grunt" in the steamy jungles of Vietnam.
Four months later with my memoir completed, Naomi called to say, "Dad, this was the best gift I've ever received, I liked it so much, I read it a second time!" Then another question, "Hey Dad, let's go back to Vietnam, just you and me?" Could the ghosts of Vietnam's past morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
This journey will put the reader into the boots of a grunt with vivid detail. Surrounding Jack's tour in Vietnam are the experiences and events that defined that unique period in American history.
Then, the eye-opening revelation of present day Vietnam as Jack and Naomi return to the places where her father fought and survived near the Ho Chi Minh trail.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Number of Pages: 472
Word Count: 94,341