Bill Hayton Libri

Plunged back in time to Anglo-Saxon England, can 16-year-old Joss warn King Edmund in time to stop his murder by Viking invaders?

A provocative account showing that China--and its 5,000 years of unified history--is a national myth, created only a century ago with a political agenda that persists to this day

The West's focus has shifted to China and India, but Vietnam is rapidly emerging among its Asian counterparts. A remarkable period of social change has seen foreign investment ushering in capitalism within its nominally communist framework, with bustling cities absorbing smaller villages and modern living challenging traditional family and community structures. However, an authoritarian political system complicates the nation's apparent progress. In this insightful work, journalist Bill Hayton explores the costs of change in Vietnam, questioning whether this rising power is genuinely moving toward capitalism and democracy. Drawing on vivid eyewitness accounts and relevant case studies, Hayton addresses a range of contemporary issues, including shifts in international relations, the growth of civil society, economic challenges, and the evolving democracy movement alongside the country's notorious internal security. His fresh analysis of Vietnam’s "police state" and its mechanisms of social control, coercion, and surveillance is crucial, especially when juxtaposed with his portrayals of urban life, cultural legacies, religion, media, and the arts. With a strong historical and cultural context, Hayton investigates how these issues have developed and their implications for Vietnam's future trajectory.

This comprehensive guide delves into Vietnam's tumultuous history, tracing its evolution from a war-torn nation to a burgeoning Asian tiger economy. The narrative begins with Vietnam's ancient roots, which took shape under French colonial rule in the 19th century, leading to the country's current name established in 1945. Prior to this, Vietnam was known by various names and governed by multiple rulers, including China and a succession of Vietnamese emperors. The struggle for independence culminated in a devastating conflict, ending with the Vietnam War in 1975. Key topics include China’s ancient conquest and the Vietnamese fight for independence, the Nguyen dynasty's reign with its capital in Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the life of Ho Chi Minh, who, after studying in France, advocated for independence at the Treaty of Versailles and later became Vietnam's first president. The book also highlights the nation’s remarkable recovery from decades of war and its transition to one of the world's fastest-growing economies. With accessible prose, the author provides an essential exploration of Vietnam's complex culture and the roots of its current economic dynamism, making this work a vital resource for understanding the heart of Southeast Asia.