The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family

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This book would make fantastic supplemental reading for a course on Vietnamese history. The author chronicles more a hundred years of the country's recent past, using her family'due south experiences as a focal point. It begins in the mid 19th century, when several of her male ancestors served as mandarins in a society that revered educational attainments; moves on to French colonialism and Japanese occupation during WWII; then to the Viet Minh struggle for independence, which doesn't seem to truly This book would make fantastic supplemental reading for a course on Vietnamese history. The author chronicles more than a hundred years of the country's contempo past, using her family'due south experiences equally a focal bespeak. Information technology begins in the mid 19th century, when several of her male ancestors served as mandarins in a gild that revered educational attainments; moves on to French colonialism and Japanese occupation during WWII; then to the Viet Minh struggle for independence, which doesn't seem to truly carve up the family despite their winding up on all sides of the disharmonize – the author'south father serves every bit a high-ranking official nether the French while her oldest sister and brother-in-law join the rebels in the mountains, and her uncle, a wealthy landowner, puts his resources at the Viet Minh's disposal. So information technology traces the American intervention and the dramatic days of the communists' takeover of Southward Vietnam, before ending with Vietnam's struggles as an independent country.

Information technology's a lot to pack into 475 pages, and the author balances the story of her family with a broader historical perspective. The history appears well-researched, and based on her bibliography, draws heavily on Vietnamese equally well as English-language sources. It also seems counterbalanced; at times, when family members' paths during the war diverge sharply, nosotros go separate capacity covering the same events from unlike perspectives, and the writer doesn't seem to be advocating for either one over the other. Though the author's parents threw in their lot with the French and later on South Vietnam, she – like many Vietnamese – seems to respect the communists' commitment, and while the American intervention was a short-term benefaction for middle-class families like hers, she ultimately seems to conclude that the communist victory was both inevitable and not as awful equally propaganda had led the South Vietnamese to expect.

The book'southward biggest weakness is that it is rather dry, much more focused on facts than building a dramatic narrative. Though it is in part a memoir, we learn little about the author herself; she tends to relate the facts of a state of affairs with perchance a bald statement of her feelings, only without developing any of the emotional particular that might allow readers to experience the story along with her. There are exceptions, though; her account of the dramatic last days before the fall of Saigon (through the eyes of several family unit members) is downright gripping.

Overall, I'd recommend this volume, but more for educational purposes than entertainment. It is a potent answer to the residual of English language-language literature about Vietnam, which tends to be from an American perspective and focused exclusively on the war.

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Nov 26, 2008 Chrissie rated it really liked it

On completion:

ETA: After reading this book you lot must read about the Tranquillity War in Laos and the Hmong who fought information technology: The Spirit Catches You lot and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures

Do you really want to understand the Vietnam State of war? This book is about a Vietnamese family that lived through it. What is special about this book is that the author saw all sides of the war. In her ain family some were on the side of the Viet Minh and others supported the Fre

On completion:

ETA: Afterwards reading this volume you must read virtually the Quiet War in Laos and the Hmong who fought it: The Spirit Catches You and Yous Fall Downwardly: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Standoff of Two Cultures

Practice you really want to understand the Vietnam War? This volume is about a Vietnamese family unit that lived through it. What is special most this volume is that the author saw all sides of the war. In her ain family some were on the side of the Viet Minh and others supported the French and and then the Americans. Never did whatsoever of the family stop being family unit to each other. The writer was in fact educated in the Us, married an American and worked for the Rand Corporation, employed to written report the motives of the Viet Minh. Through this book you learn of all parts of the war. All sides are fairly represented and rather than being observed, lived. There is much history documented, so the volume is not for those who want a quick read. After reading this volume I have a much better agreement of the state of war. As I stated below it starts with life of the author(s great grandfather, a Mandarin scholar. It continues up through the 1990s. All aspects, personal, political and historical are covered. Thoroughly. Definitely worth four stars.

Through folio 182:

The get-go chapter is the hardest to get through. Don't be deterred. This is an splendid book. You follow four generations of a Vietnamese family unit, the author'south own family. The reader is introduced to the ancient beliefs of the mandarins. Now the appointment is 1949 and some of the family unit accept joined the Viet Minh. Others back up the French colonialists. Y'all start by learning of aboriginal beliefs and customs. Y'all acquire of Vietnam history from the 1800s on. Y'all encounter how this family lived through the events listed in history books. You become more from this book than you will ever become from a history book since not only practice you get the historical and political details but likewise how these events played out in one family. You are shown a consummate life - daily practices, nutrient, housing, customs, religious beliefs and the political and historical events too. This isn't fiction; information technology is the real thing.

Personally, I side with the Viet Minh. Peradventure the author is biasedd; I do not care. I am being given her point of view. I am in the countryside with the Viet Minh. I am learning how they reasoned, what they ate, where they slept. I am living their life with them. The author's male parent worked for the French. I have lived with him too and followed how he thought and reasoned too. I sympathise both sides now.

Read this book if you want to really larn most Vietnamese history and culture.

In that location is a simple family chart at the get-go, good maps and an alphabetize if you need to search after something y'all take forgotten. And there is a bibliography.

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Sep 02, 2008 Annette rated it information technology was astonishing

one of my favorite books of the last five years...information technology IS long..simply its worth information technology. A fascinating portrait of 4 generations of a Vietnamese family that stretches from the traditional "mandarin" culture of northern Vietnam, thourgh French occupation, the Vietnamese war, the backwash and to life in the United states. It deals with Vietnam War from many sides (as her family was divided physically and ideologically by the war. Mai Elliott writes well, lived much of the story, and conducted extensive interviews in la one of my favorite books of the last five years...it IS long..merely its worth it. A fascinating portrait of iv generations of a Vietnamese family that stretches from the traditional "mandarin" culture of northern Vietnam, thourgh French occupation, the Vietnamese war, the aftermath and to life in the The states. It deals with Vietnam State of war from many sides (as her family was divided physically and ideologically past the state of war. Mai Elliott writes well, lived much of the story, and conducted all-encompassing interviews in later years to flesh out the stories of all her relatives who were separated by time, distance, and quondam ideology over the years. Information technology is one of the clearest explanation of what happened in Vietnam (due north and south) during the years leading upwardly to and during the war. Told on a personal level it still illuminates the experiences of the state as a whole. I highly recommend this book. Although information technology is a Big book...I read it in less than a week because I couldn't put it downwardly. I was a teenager during the last stages of the war and remember just the "headlines" and photographic portraits...this book has profoundly helped illuminate what was really going on. ...more

Nov 24, 2020 Ming Wei rated it it was amazing

Such a genuine and humble book, a bare expect at how families accept progressed throughout the generations within and political chaning surround of Vietnam, from small seeds great trees abound, the early generation giveing and then much so that later generations tin can prosper. I really liked the idea of story telling across unlike generation, the author speedily drags the reader into the environment, (I wont put in any sotry spoilers) but I love it, the volume worked for me, nice chapter length, nice sized Such a genuine and humble book, a bare look at how families have progressed throughout the generations within and political chaning environs of Vietnam, from small-scale seeds great trees grow, the early generation giveing so much and so that after generations can prosper. I really liked the idea of story telling across different generation, the author quickly drags the reader into the environment, (I wont put in whatsoever sotry spoilers) merely I dearest it, the book worked for me, nice chapter length, nice sized text, attractive book cover, no editorial errors. The authors writing manner is that yous are supplied with information at a steady pace, giving the reader enough time to absorb the story line. Will certainly like to read more books from this author. Very nice to read volume. ...more than

I initially decided to read this book earlier a trip to Vietnam. I struggled with it a chip and found it slow in places, only I did learn quite a scrap about Vietnam's history and people from reading The Sacred Willow. I especially enjoyed the last few chapter, perhaps because I read them after my trip to Vietnam and had more than context or perchance information technology information technology was merely a period I was a bit more than familiar with than the earlier fourth dimension periods portrayed in the book. Learning near the history of the country through thursday I initially decided to read this book before a trip to Vietnam. I struggled with it a scrap and found information technology ho-hum in places, but I did learn quite a flake virtually Vietnam'due south history and people from reading The Sacred Willow. I especially enjoyed the last few chapter, perhaps because I read them after my trip to Vietnam and had more context or maybe it it was just a period I was a bit more than familiar with than the earlier fourth dimension periods portrayed in the book. Learning about the history of the country through the history of a family was interesting and gave me a new perspective on Vietnam and its people. ...more

Takes forever to read information technology because it's huge and loaded with information but well worth sticking with it. A beautiful story roofing many generations of a Vietnamese family.

Mar 15, 2013 Liz rated information technology liked it

At times information technology tin can exist a flake overbearing and in the beginning it is interesting to learn about the Standard mandarin organization it is a bit dry. Withal, it certainly builds upwardly when the narrator and the author starts to talk about her ain life and the experiences she and her family go through. It is quite a magnum opus of a work, and very disheartening at times. Nonetheless, the end could be considered happy since family does stick together though thick and sparse. I enjoyed reading this for my senior seminar, just the At times information technology can be a flake overbearing and in the beginning it is interesting to learn about the Mandarin system it is a fleck dry. However, it certainly builds upwardly when the narrator and the author starts to talk about her own life and the experiences she and her family become through. It is quite a magnum opus of a piece of work, and very disheartening at times. However, the end could be considered happy since family does stick together though thick and sparse. I enjoyed reading this for my senior seminar, but the beginning does drag on for a bit. ...more

I learned more nigh Vietnam in the kickoff 200 pages of this book than I ever learned in AP History. And PS, the Vietnamese are non hung upwards on the American war the way Americans are. They won, they moved on, they went through ii other wars since then.

Mar 29, 2010 Amanda rated it information technology was ok

Very slow and also much information. She would accept been better off splitting this into 2 books - one of her family history and one of her own experiences.

Duong Van Mai Elliott assembled in The Sacred Willow a detailed review of her extended family's experience of history of what is at present the territory of a country we call Vietnam over more than a century. Although they were originally of modest origin, some of her ancestors rose to slap-up ability as Mandarins in the North and thrived during the colonial period, so experienced upheaval during the long years of war and political instability. Equally expected in a family unit of this size during such a tumultuou Duong Van Mai Elliott assembled in The Sacred Willow a detailed review of her extended family unit's experience of history of what is now the territory of a country we call Vietnam over more than a century. Although they were originally of modest origin, some of her ancestors rose to nifty power as Mandarins in the North and thrived during the colonial menses, then experienced upheaval during the long years of war and political instability. Equally expected in a family of this size during such a tumultuous celebrated period, different relatives took different stances over the years, some collaborating with the French colonial powers, some others heading for the hills to fight with the Viet Minh. All of them went through hardship and, through a combination of privilege and sheer luck, few (if any? I lost rail) encountered an early demise - unlike the 2 million Vietnamese who lost their lives to state of war during the aforementioned period.

I was impressed with Elliott's lucidity throughout the account and by her ability to acknowledge the different sides of the story, despite her obvious perspective as a "middle grade" Vietnamese. (I am not an expert with regards to Vietnamese demographics during the 20th century however I would guess that what she describes as "middle class" was actually a minority of the territory'southward residents. Elevation x% perhaps would be a more authentic style to describe their socio-economic status.)

This quote from chapter fifteen which describes the American's withdrawal and subsequent autumn of South Vietnam to Communist hands, struck me as particularly honest: "At that moment, the anti-communists appeared for what they were: a conglomeration of tightly knit families motivated solely by a hatred and fear of communism and held together only by the glue of American ability. When that glue dissolved, the group disintegrated into its individual parts - families now concerned with saving themselves. They had never had a larger vision of what S Vietnam should be or why one should fight for information technology. My relatives were no unlike."

As noted by some other Goodreaders, the book is a little long, and at times disruptive, simply I cannot imagine another way to do justice to the deep history interwoven with the lives of the Duong family. Elliott has a solid grasp of celebrated facts across the experiences of her relatives and does a masterful job of making a difficult and complex era accessible to the 21st-century reader. Impressive.

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This is the story of iv generations of the author'south Vietnamese family merely, let'southward exist directly about this, what's interesting almost information technology to most people is the Vietnam State of war. I would never accept picked up a similar book almost, say, 4 generations of a Burmese family.

I enjoyed the book and was never bored with it, but became somewhat frustrated with information technology towards the terminate when she described the fall of Saigon to the Viet Cong. My frustration stemmed from the fact that I found this section of the volume utt

This is the story of iv generations of the writer'southward Vietnamese family but, allow's be straight about this, what'southward interesting virtually it to well-nigh people is the Vietnam State of war. I would never have picked upward a similar book about, say, 4 generations of a Burmese family.

I enjoyed the book and was never bored with it, merely became somewhat frustrated with it towards the finish when she described the fall of Saigon to the Viet Cong. My frustration stemmed from the fact that I found this department of the book utterly gripping, deserving of five stars and quite the best description I've e'er read nigh what happened in those final few days and hours.

What this department fabricated me feel almost the book was that she'd made a error by going into the level of particular she did about the earlier generations of her family. Whilst those elements were interesting (though not riveting) in their ain correct and useful in putting into their historical context the growth of the Viet Minh, the expulsion of the French, the growth of the Viet Cong and the war against the United states of america, they didn't warrant the quantity of writing inside the book that she gave them. They were simply her personal family history, and writing about them in such item and at such length bordered on the self-indulgent, particularly in contrast to what came afterwards in the book.

Those earlier sections also suffered from their altitude, with the stories being told 3rd or 4th hand, as opposed to the mail service WWII elements which were generally told to her offset hand. I besides feel that she would accept done better allowing the people within the book to tell their stories in their own voices in the style of someone like Svetlana Alexievich than, every bit she did about people whom she clearly interviewed, "Giu felt lamentable to hear....".

A practiced book, though frustrating in that she had enough cloth to have written a great one had she been more ruthless in what she chose to go out out, what she chose to focus on and the manner some of the textile was presented.

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The iv generations are the author's own family and is the story of Vietnam'southward fight for independence. Information technology's a fascinating tale, with members of the family on both sides of the state of war. Information technology's very balanced and comes through is that while they differed dramatically in the realm of politics, they continued to love and respect each other.

Iv stars considering the commencement couple generations are rather slow going, but it picks up with the story of the later generations. The fall of Saigon is as much a page turn

The four generations are the author's own family and is the story of Vietnam's fight for independence. It'south a fascinating tale, with members of the family on both sides of the war. It'due south very counterbalanced and comes through is that while they differed dramatically in the realm of politics, they connected to dear and respect each other.

Four stars considering the showtime couple generations are rather slow going, but it picks upward with the story of the afterwards generations. The autumn of Saigon is as much a page turner as any bestselling mystery novel.

This book, forth with my visit to Hoa Lo prison house (aka Hanoi Hilton), gave me a very dissimilar perspective on the Vietnam War and Ho Chi Minh. From the Vietnamese perspective, they are analogous to our ain Revolutionary War and George Washington.

I look forrad to reading other books by this author.

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This is an amazing family and mod history of Viet Nam. From the author's keen grandfather, an regal mandarin, to her nieces, nephews and cousins in the Vietnamese diaspora and currently in Viet Nam, she gives u.s.a. a view of events from her family's experiences. Mai Elliott had a sister and blood brother-in-law who worked in the northward's country-side as agriculture experts under the Viet Minh and a brother who spent four years in re-education camps after reunification. Her father was a governor in This is an amazing family and mod history of Viet Nam. From the author's cracking granddad, an imperial standard mandarin, to her nieces, nephews and cousins in the Vietnamese diaspora and currently in Viet Nam, she gives us a view of events from her family's experiences. Mai Elliott had a sister and blood brother-in-law who worked in the due north'due south country-side as agronomics experts under the Viet Minh and a brother who spent four years in re-pedagogy camps after reunification. Her male parent was a governor in the Hanoi and Haiphong under the French and the Japanese.
She tells their history and experiences well and with sympathy and gives us a taste of the Vietnamese culture.
Thanks, Ms. Elliott, for this volume.
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I knew very little about Vietnam and the disharmonize in the country. Over 100 years of a single family portrayed thru the eyes of a surviving child. Family separate by war and ideology yet once peace finally comes to the country able to reconnect and expect forward in their respective lives. Liked knowing what occurred in the country from a perspective of someone who lived in the land and had a rich family history of government involvement. Large family so many aspects of political spectrum were expl I knew very fiddling nearly Vietnam and the conflict in the country. Over 100 years of a single family portrayed thru the eyes of a surviving kid. Family unit split up by state of war and ideology all the same once peace finally comes to the country able to reconnect and wait forward in their respective lives. Liked knowing what occurred in the state from a perspective of someone who lived in the country and had a rich family history of government interest. Big family unit and then many aspects of political spectrum were explored. I did non similar how she worshipped her ancestors and wished that this was non role of who she is. ...more

Although edifying in its word of the aristocracy Mandarin form in French Colonial Vietnam and the tactics of the revolutionary Viet Minh in the Due north (and afterward the Viet Cong), the volume drags on and becomes bogged down in too many details, repetitive scenarios and cursory accounts of endless relatives. I skimmed much of the book for these reasons. The narrative frequently reads similar a school history textbook. Elliott, nevertheless, succeeds in fostering empathy and respect for her immediate family, wh Although edifying in its discussion of the elite Standard mandarin grade in French Colonial Vietnam and the tactics of the revolutionary Viet Minh in the North (and subsequently the Viet Cong), the book drags on and becomes bogged down in besides many details, repetitive scenarios and cursory accounts of endless relatives. I skimmed much of the book for these reasons. The narrative ofttimes reads like a school history textbook. Elliott, still, succeeds in fostering empathy and respect for her firsthand family, who endured many upheavals of fortune. As a whole, the iv generations of her family unit become a conduit of resiliency. ...more

"As my plane took off one fall morning from Hanoi. I looked out of my window and felt a sense of peace and closure. …I had seen Vietnam, the country of two million war expressionless, become once once more the land of the living. And I was taking dorsum with me non the deafening explosions of weapons, but the gentle sound of the monsoon rain."
It has been half dozen years since I went to Vietnam to build a business firm with Habitat for Humanity. Vietnam is not a country that I had planned to visit, only the opportunity presented "As my plane took off one fall morning from Hanoi. I looked out of my window and felt a sense of peace and closure. …I had seen Vietnam, the land of two one thousand thousand war dead, become again the country of the living. And I was taking back with me not the deafening explosions of weapons, but the gentle sound of the monsoon rain."
Information technology has been six years since I went to Vietnam to build a business firm with Habitat for Humanity. Vietnam is not a country that I had planned to visit, just the opportunity presented itself and then I went. I am glad I did. I learned a lot including that there are places hotter than Virginia in Baronial. I also met some wonderful people and ate some incredible food.

Since that trip I have connected to read and learn near the country, the people and the war that caused such disruption in Vietnam and the United States.

This book was a adept addition to my reading listing. Elliott tells the story of her family in the context of the French occupation, the carve up into two countries, the involvement with the United States and then the end of the state of war between North and Southward. She had a lot to comprehend which explains why her memoir is almost 500 pages. I now accept a much improve agreement of how the Vietnamese came to be warring confronting themselves. I will demand to sentry the Ken Burns documentary on Vietnam to help me understand how the U.s.a. got and so involved.

This was a very scholarly work about a family who took government service seriously. I wonder how this story would be told by someone whose family was middle or working class. I think Elliott has many advantages because of her family unit's service to the state. However, I realize that once Communism won the war, her family unit suffered because they weren't office of the proletariat.

The whole time I was reading this volume a particular song kept repeating in my head. Information technology is part of the reason that my quotation above is from the final paragraph of the book. Scott Ainsley is a wonderful vocalizer and this is his composition. https://www.youtube.com/sentinel?v=BT9Ps... I am glad there is peace again in Vietnam.

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Jul 22, 2021 Annie rated information technology it was astonishing

A fascinating read that was interrupted so I restarted from the commencement. Information technology is worth the double read if you are really looking to understand the history of what was happening throughout the country and in others involved. Elliott presents a candid view of her family experiences without taking sides or brandishing judgement. The interviews must take been difficult but yielded so much information. I ache for families that take withstood generations of war and upheaval and this i now scattered A fascinating read that was interrupted and then I restarted from the beginning. It is worth the double read if you are actually looking to sympathize the history of what was happening throughout the country and in others involved. Elliott presents a candid view of her family experiences without taking sides or brandishing judgement. The interviews must have been difficult but yielded then much data. I ache for families that accept withstood generations of war and upheaval and this i at present scattered around the globe recreating themselves one time again in new lands. ...more

A recollection of history which I remember strongly. In war naught is pleasant. An almost forgotten history of French colony, Cochin Red china and before long Vietnam is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China over the Spratly and Paracel islands in the South China Sea.
"Those who cannot call back history are condemned to repeat it." Philosopher George Santayana Mae Elliot writes intelligently. A recollection of history which I remember strongly. In war cypher is pleasant. An nigh forgotten history of French colony, Cochin Prc and presently Vietnam is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China over the Spratly and Paracel islands in the South Communist china Sea.
"Those who cannot call up history are condemned to echo information technology." Philosopher George Santayana Mae Elliot writes intelligently. ...more than

From the perspectives of four generations, this book is objective and total of personal stories which are representative of the life of all the people.

I found this volume objective, providing historical groundwork and viewpoints from different angles. Swell read. Recommend to anyone who is interested in knowing about the defining history of Vietnam in 20th century

I didn't finish the book. As I had just completed a month in Vietnam and Cambodia, the book started as an first-class reminder of all that I had seen and experienced. Unfortunately, it was too long and detailed to hold my interest. At virtually xxx%, I gave up. There are too many books and too little time!

Apr 28, 2020 Bonnie rated it it was amazing

This book presents Vietnamese history from the perspective of a adult female who grew upward in the northern eye class. She tells the stories of five generations of her family - nether French colonialism, during the Vietnam War and under communism. It is honest, insightful and personal. A bang-up way to understand "the other side". This book presents Vietnamese history from the perspective of a woman who grew upward in the northern middle class. She tells the stories of v generations of her family - under French colonialism, during the Vietnam War and under communism. It is honest, insightful and personal. A smashing way to empathize "the other side". ...more

Jan 29, 2018 Paul Starbuck rated information technology really liked it

Swell story - a bit plodding in places but overall very personal and accurate. Incredible how this family unit stayed together despite war, conflicts, social pressure & changes, and international moves. Recommended!

Jul 26, 2020 Liz Gross rated it it was astonishing

This book, more than any other I read, prepared me to meliorate sympathise the culture and history of Vietnam when I visited in 2015. I'd highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more than about life in that country.

Mar 05, 2018 Jon rated information technology liked it

Fascinating family history of a group of people who lived through unusual times. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in Vietnam.

Dec 11, 2018 Song-My rated information technology it was amazing

I found this to be a thoroughly researched, well-written, and compelling family history through the last 2 centuries. It'south well told, intertwining personal family unit stories with historical events.

Apr 14, 2019 Aqueelah rated it actually liked information technology

Very detailed and helpful background and context for understanding Vietnam. Surprisingly very little emotional affect for something that is a personal narrative.

Jul 07, 2019 Dkwallpdx rated it really liked it

A groovy history of Vietnam told thru the life of 1 family unit. I read and finished it years ago equally a prep for a trip to Vietnam with OAT.

LOVED this volume. Shows the amazing story of a adult female who digs deep into her family ties to learn about the generations that came earlier her. Astounding volume if y'all are a lover of history!

Dương Văn Mai Elliott is a Vietnamese-American writer and translator. She was born and raised in Vietnam, and was awarded a scholarship in 1960 to pursue mail service-secondary pedagogy in the The states. She then studied diplomacy at Georgetown University's School of Strange Service in Washington D.C. She graduated from Georgetown in 1963 with a major in Political Science. She then returned to Saigon Dương Văn Mai Elliott is a Vietnamese-American writer and translator. She was born and raised in Vietnam, and was awarded a scholarship in 1960 to pursue post-secondary education in the United states. She then studied diplomacy at Georgetown University'due south School of Strange Service in Washington D.C. She graduated from Georgetown in 1963 with a major in Political Science. She then returned to Saigon, where she worked for the RAND Corporation interviewing Viet Cong prisoners of war and defectors for a research project to decide the morale and motivation of the guerrillas during the Vietnam War. She met her American husband, David West.P. Elliott, (now a professor of Political Science) while a student in Washington, D.C., and the two married in Saigon.
In the years post-obit her movement to the United States with her husband, she made several trips to Vietnam. Her most recent visits included trips as a guest lecturer for an Asia Society tour in February 2000, as a fellow member of a private Vietnamese-American delegation vetted by the White House for President Clinton'due south visit to Vietnam in November 2000, and equally a guest lecturer for Smithsonian study tours in February 2001 and March 2002.

After a long career in corporate cyberbanking, she resigned her job to write her family story, The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family, which was published by Oxford University Press in April 1999 (nether the name of Duong Van Mai Elliott). The Sacred Willow was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and was a finalist for the Asian-American literary award in the year 2000.

(from http://vi.uh.edu/vnwomen/maielliott.htm)

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