Where the Wind Leads

A Refugee Family's Miraculous Story of Loss, Rescue, and Redemption

By: Vinh Chung

Narrated by: Josh Aaron

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The first-hand account of a Vietnamese refugee who now lives the American dream.

Where the Wind Leads is the remarkable account of Vinh Chung and his refugee family’s daring escape from communist oppression for the chance of a better life in America. It’s a story of personal sacrifice, redemption, endurance against almost insurmountable odds, and what it truly means to be American.

Vinh Chung was born in South Vietnam, just eight months after it fell to the communists in 1975. His family was wealthy, controlling a rice-milling empire worth millions; but within months of the communist takeover, the Chungs lost everything and were reduced to abject poverty. Knowing that their children would have no future under the new government, the Chungs decided to flee the country. In 1979, they joined the legendary “boat people” and sailed into the South China Sea, despite knowing that an estimated two hundred thousand of their countrymen had already perished at the hands of brutal pirates and violent seas.

Where the Wind Leads follows Vinh Chung and his family on their desperate journey from pre-war Vietnam, through pirate attacks on a lawless sea, to a miraculous rescue and a new home in the unlikely town of Fort Smith, Arkansas. There Vinh struggled against poverty, discrimination, and a bewildering language barrier—yet still managed to graduate from Harvard Medical School. Where the Wind Leads is Vinh’s tribute to the courage and sacrifice of his parents, a testimony to his family’s faith, and a reminder to people everywhere that the American dream, while still possible, carries with it a greater responsibility.

©2014 Thomas Nelson (P)2014 Thomas Nelson

thank you

this book is a life changer. I will long remember the stories of this family. thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Janine

Amazing insightful story

Imagine being as rich as a king in Vietnam, becoming a refugee with nothing and then being left in a an in seaworthy boat in the middle of the ocean to die… these are just a few of the details in this amazing book. Plus- is the experience of being a refuge different than an immigrant?

Eye opening and emotional book.

I loved this book and the narrator. I did not know much about the boat people from Vietnam. Why no one helped them and or took them in as refugees. It was so sad to see what they went through for their freedom and their families. This was captivating. I highly recommend it.

Truly Amazing!

I loved everything about this book. I was fascinated at how Vinh turned his life into success and never hinted that he had a tough life. It was just his life. Every youth should be required to read this captivating story.

Ignorance

I have so much to say, and yet, none would do justice. Thank you Dr. Vihn Chung for allow me to spend a week in your legacy. I am honored and humbled, I pray I don’t soon forget all your example has shown me. Many continued blessings to you and yours. To God be the Glory, GREAT things He hath done.

Beautiful story

What a beautiful story. It’s well written and filled with hope and encouragement. Vinh’s story helps those of us who’ve never experienced the life of a refugee to better understand their plight.

Did you whine or complain today?? READ this book!

Would you listen to Where the Wind Leads again? Why?

I definitely will listen to this book again and again. Vinh Chung's story would be remarkable if it were fiction. The fact that he and his family turned a nightmare into the "American Dream" is both inspiring and incredible.

What did you like best about this story?

Vinh's family story gave me a frightening perspective of the aftermath of the Vietnam war. I was moved by his description of the best and most horrifying elements of human behavior.

What does Josh Aaron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I felt like Josh was speaking directly to me---he made the delivery of this incredible story very personal for me. This is the magic of Audible books!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Ninety-nine per centers be forewarned: You're going to find impossible to complain about your 'tough' life in America after seeing the Chung's story on film!"

A True Story I Will Never Forget

Written by the son of a Vietnamese family that had to leave their comfortable life when the North Vietnamese took over South Vietnam following the Vietnam War. Their business, home, property, money, and belongings were all taken from them. The parents and eight children were forced to live in a shack and work in the fields, getting only a portion of whatever they harvested. They escaped Vietnam and went through harrowing experiences as refugees. Their survival was miraculous, and through the parents’ sheer fortitude and extremely hard work, the children all graduated from college and were successful. The personal story of the author himself was so interesting and poignant, you can’t help but want a sequel to the story and to know him personally. A really good read!

A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE REFUGEE EXPERIENCE

THis should be required reading for every high school student in the USA. It brings a profound picture of sacrifice for family, selfless ambition , diligence in the face of doscouragement, honor and honesty in all circumstances . Thread of Gods
grace and miracle of rescue runs throughout.

Amazing sacrifice and determination!

This book was recommended to someone by a friend and I saw the post and decided to listen to it. It's such an unbelievable journey of a family that suffered hardships, lose, torture and suffering until their rescue at sea. I believe they were saved by divine intervention. They never gave up. It shows how a strong family unit through faith, determination and a will to live and be their for each other can change lives. All the children, even though poor, got scholarships to the best universities and made a difference. They serve the community and give back. Their story is incredible. I loved it!