Saigon

By: Anthony Grey

Narrated by: Gordon Griffin

Length: 34 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Joseph Sherman first visits Saigon, the capital of French colonial Cochin-China, in 1925 on a hunting expedition with his father, a US senator. He is lured back again and again as a traveler, a soldier, and then as a reporter by his fascination for the exotic land and for Lan, a mandarin's daughter he cannot forget.

Over five decades, Joseph's life becomes enmeshed with the political intrigues of two of Saigon's most influential families, the French colonist Devrauxs, and the native Trans - and inevitably with Vietnam's turbulent, war torn fate. He is there when the hatred of a million coolies rises against the French, and when the French Foreign Legion fights it's bloody last stand at Dien Bien Phu.

©2016 Anthony Grey (P)2016 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Epic Story

Having served in Viet Nam, I instantly got caught up in the story. Tragic characters and events abound. Much like the main character, I can't seem to get the place out of my mind.

1 person found this helpful

Great book!

One of the hundereds of books I have read and very close to the best!

Amazing story with real historical background

I was suprised how quickly the 32 hours had passed. The story is wonderful, it coverst many aspects of the Vietnamese history and one can see the author’s great effort to be also historicly accurate and ballanced concerning this topic, as many English written literature offers only the USA view, especially on the Vietnamese war or the leadership of the North Vietnam.

Highly exceeded my expectations

If you are looking for a good long listen than look no further. this one will not disappoint, in the least. Kept me interested from start to finish.

I found

This book to be at times close to
5 stars - just not long enough - and there are some long stretches of 1/2 stars. But overall it is a fascinating look at a country that we Americans never understood very well. Too bad so many had to die for a cause that was lost before the first American soldier set foot in Vietnam

Somewhat disappointing.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I read this book back in the 70's and it captured my imagination so much that I never forgot it. However, the narration of this audiobook was in my opinion appalling.
I have always recommended reading this book to others, but I would not recommend anyone to listen to this.

If you’ve listened to books by Anthony Grey before, how does this one compare?

I read this paperback in the 70's, but this is the only one I have listened to. That said, I would not care to listen to anymore. I found this narration patronizing and irritating.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Gordon Griffin?

James Adams comes to mind.

Was Saigon worth the listening time?

No

Any additional comments?

None

Excellent

So sad that the French, Chinese, Japanese and the US were so horrible as to invade this country

The real story behind history of my own time.

A beautifully crafted story that brought history to life...and opened my eyes to our real government during trying times. Sad.

Brilliant. Just buy it!!!!

Brilliant story based on a 2 families' experience over the turbulent period of Vietnam's history. Masterly weaving the story around actual events, historically accurate. Engrossing and moving, Portraying the madness of war from all sides but particularly how the West lost its way in the course of events. Brilliantly read, a tour de force marathon performance by Gordon Griffin who acts a bewildering cast of characters. Did not want this to end. Just buy this and lose yourself in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam for several days. You will not regret it.

Just ripe for a Netflix/Amazon serial.

1 person found this helpful

A must

If you like history this is a must to have in your collection, entertaining and full of historical facts.. I have learnt so much

FANTASTIC!

Exceptional story, well read, I could picture everything and everyone, this story held me in its grasp from the very start. I didn't want it to end.

Great book.

Loved it. Fiction but with a little factual content. Good mix of three intertwined families.