Media

Vietnam Veteran News Podcast

In Episode 2773 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast, I joined Andy Pham to interview historian Van Nguyen-Marshall discusses her new book, Between War and the State: Civil Society in South Vietnam, 1954-1975. Andy asked me to join him on the podcast after reading my book review in the Journal of Military History and meeting him at the Vietnam conference hosted by the University of California Berkeley. The episode centers on Nguyen-Marshall's exploration of South Vietnamese civil society during the turbulent years of warfare and political turmoil. The book sheds light on various voluntary organizations—such as mutual-help, charitable, professional, and women's groups—that operated despite the challenges of war, government repression, and foreign intervention.

Nguyen-Marshall, an Associate Professor at Trent University, challenges stereotypes about South Vietnam being devoid of social agency by illustrating its residents' vibrant public lives. The book's discussion highlights how this civil society navigated the competing influences of the South Vietnamese state, foreign powers like the U.S., and the communist Party. It is available through Cornell Press.

Military Historians are People, Too!

I had the pleasure of joining the podcast Military Historians are People, Too! hosted by Brian Feltman and Bill Allison to talk about my journey as a PhD candidate at Ohio University. Before pursuing my doctoral program, I talked about growing up idolizing my father and grandfather, both of whom were Marines, and how this led me to pursue a career in the military but how I was medically disqualified. My interest in military history led me to pursue a career in academia. I completed my BA and MA in History at San Diego State University, where I had the privilege of working with Pierre Asselin. We discussed how Pierre supported and encouraged me to study Vietnamese in Vietnam and helped me enroll at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi. We also had some lighter moments, discussing my favorite band, the White Buffalo, my love for the Russian-Georgian dish, Chakhokhbili, and the delicious brisket found at Kiser’s BBQ in Athens, Ohio!