On The Ho Chi Minh Trail - The Blood Road, The Women Who Defended It, The Legacy

Sherry Buchanan's new book, On the Ho Chi Minh Trail, explores the Ho Chi Minh Trail through a personal and historical lens, highlighting the role of women militia and soldiers in defending it during the Vietnam War. The book combines travelogue, history, and reflection on conflict and reconciliation, taking readers through the stunning scenery of Vietnam and Laos, encountering locations and meeting those who experienced the war firsthand. Through her journey, Buchanan seeks to address the culture of indifference to the war and shed light on its tragic scale, lasting legacies, and our memory of it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2021
Publisher: Asia Ink

Sherry Buchanan's new book, "On the Ho Chi Minh Trail," is a captivating blend of travelogue, history, and reflective meditation on conflict and reconciliation. It offers a personal and historical exploration of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, highlighting the critical role played by women militia and soldiers in defending the trail during the Vietnam War. Accompanied by two traveling companions, Buchanan embarks on a journey from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, in the south.

Driving through the breathtaking scenery of Vietnam and Laos, she encounters a multitude of locations, including the Truong Son mountains, the Phong Nha Caves, ancient citadels, and Confucian temples. The trail also takes her to the Khmer Temple of Wat Phu, located at the western-most point in Laos.

Buchanan's interactions with those who experienced the Vietnam War firsthand provide a unique perspective on the conflict. She listens to the women who defended the trail roads against the greatest bombing campaign in modern times, walks through minefields with demolition teams hunting for unexploded ordnance, and meets American veterans who have returned to Vietnam with an urge to "do something." Buchanan weaves informative and often humorous tales from her journey, interspersed with excerpts from the accounts of others, placing the locations she visits in their historical and political context.

"On the Ho Chi Minh Trail" aims to challenge the culture of indifference to the war and shed light on its tragic scale, lasting legacies, and our collective memory. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought and the importance of understanding the complexities of conflict and reconciliation. Through her journey and the stories she encounters, Buchanan invites readers to reflect on the lessons learned from the Vietnam War and the ongoing challenges of peace and stability in the region.

Weight: 668g
Dimension: 150 x 229 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781916346307