Book Reviews

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A History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail

The Road to Freedom

by
Virginia Morris
with
Clive Hills

2006. 196 pp., 107 colour, 24 b & w illustrations, 11 maps, index, 245 x 175, Hardcover

ISBN-10: 974-524-076-1 $29.95
ISBN-13: 978-974-524-076-6



Comments from prominent sources


‘Who said there were no new adventures out there? Author Morris and husband Hills, a former Para-turned-photographer, traced the 20,000km Ho Chi Minh Trail - the first westerners to do so - to unravel the story of an extraordinary military achievement and soldiers behind it. Their words, images and maps shed light on the mythical supply route which defied every attempt by the world’s most powerful military nation to bomb it out of existence.’
Soldier - Magazine of the British Army June 2007

(A History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail:) The Road to Freedom is a remarkable achievement, a meticulous inquiry into one of warfare’s most compelling stories, how the North Vietnamese Army kept the Ho Chi Minh trail operating in the face of everything the Americans could throw at them.’
Mark Urban, Diplomatic editor, BBC Newsnight

‘Your book was awesome and fascinating, spellbinding and I wish I had had the guts to spend the same amount of time as you did doing such a tome’
Tim Page, Award-winning photojournalist and Vietnam War photographer

‘Today’s war, it seems, is often tomorrow’s tourist attraction. Even Vietnam is now turning its unhappy history to profit. The Ho Chi Minh Trail has not quite been recast as a signposted Long Distance Footpath, but surely it can’t be far off. The Road to Freedom: A History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail is an account by Dr Virginia Morris of her journey along the trail - making her the first Westerner to traverse its whole length.’
Mail on Sunday 13th August 2006 Travel Book of the Week

‘All books on Vietnam should have maps like (A History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail:) The Road to Freedom.’
General Vo Nguyen Giap, Supreme Commander of North Vietnam’s Army

‘I wish I had had this information in 1969’
An American Special Forces veteran,, who operated along the Ho Chi Minh Trail

‘A thoughtful, informative and personal account of one woman’s burning ambition to complete the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Well worth a read if you’re curious about this part of history and want to learn more. It made me want to experience the journey for myself.’
Women Writers Network

[Read a review from the Journal of the Siam Society] [Read the foreword by Gen. Sir John Reith] [Read a review from The NYMAS REVIEW] [Read a review from The Barrister] [More Orchid Press Reviews]