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The Father of All Things: A Marine, His Son, and the Legacy of Vietnam Audiobook
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(3.07) - 149 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In his fourth book, journalist and fiction writer Bissell (Chasing the Sea) revisits the much-trodden territory of the Vietnam War to offer a fresh perspective: that of the adult children of the war's veterans. On assignment for GQ magazine, Bissell and his ex-Marine father, John, retrace the elder Bissell's tour of duty through a now mostly peaceful and prosperous Vietnam. The first of the book's three sections narrates the historical leadup to Saigon's fall in 1975, spliced with Bissell's imagined vision of his family on the night Saigon fell (his parents' marriage was rapidly collapsing due to John's postwar trauma and alcoholism). Next comes an exhaustively researched history of the war - including a harrowing retelling of the My Lai massacre, during which civilians were brutally murdered by crazed American soldiers-within the narrative of the father-son trip, aided by Truong and Hien, their entertaining and illuminating Vietnamese tour guides. As Bissell repeatedly presses his father to confess regrets about Vietnam, the two push toward an ambivalent sense of closure on national and personal wounds. A final, less effective, section gathers testimonials from American and Vietnamese veterans' children. This humorous memoir, travelogue and accessible history - the author's most ambitious book - confirms Bissell's status as a rising star of American literature.
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"Bissell is a hell of a writer. This intricate and ambitious book combines introspection, a summary of the Vietnam War, and Bissell's own relationship with his father into an emotionally complex portrait that leaves no easy answers. "
— Ed (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Haunting…Emotionally powerful…Bissell brings a luminous prose style and, perhaps more important, a clear, fresh eye to events that many of us have allowed to slip into the infuriatingly painful past.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Powerful…Eloquent and in-depth…The Father of All Things is a one-of-a-kind accomplishment.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“A fresh and comprehensive look at the Vietnam era…Bissell’s powerful writing forces one to open one’s eyes and take in the enormity of the moral abyss.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Beautifully written…Tom Bissell is superb. His description of today’s Vietnam are breathtaking and deep.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“This humorous memoir, travelogue and accessible history—the author’s most ambitious book—confirms Bissell’s status as a rising star of American literature.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“McCue is unwavering in his delivery, bringing the realistic touch that this poignant memoir deserves while never coming off as preachy or long-winded. A very personal story with a very international approach.”
— AudioFile -
“Big-picture politics take second place to the achingly personal in Bissell’s heartfelt book.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Awards
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New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction, 2007
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A 2007 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Current Interest
The Father of All Things Listener Reviews
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" Tom Bissel is possibly my favorite modern writer. He beautifully blends illuminating historical insight with a true travelers exploration in to a culture. "
— Shaun, 1/6/2014 -
" Great job weaving together historical fact and personal accounts. "
— Charlie, 11/17/2013 -
" I wanted to read this one because of a good review in the Wall Street Journal. I thought it might bring some insight to my own father's experience in Vietnam. Interesting read about a terrible US experience. "
— Lou, 11/3/2013 -
" Really superb "
— Mike, 9/24/2013 -
" Very detailed account of the VietNam ward-too detailed sometimes but maybe necessary.. Many passages remind of the war we're in now; poorly planned, poorly equipped and government dishonesty. "
— Rosemary, 8/7/2013 -
" Bissel covers some new territory and it is certainly a novel approach to the war. He gets a little preachy which is annoying but this is a good book worth a read if you are interested in vietnam. "
— John, 3/5/2012 -
" See my review on Amazon. "
— Amy, 10/2/2011 -
" somehow I wanted less war and more dad, but then, that would've been a different book. heartbreaking nonetheless. "
— medi, 8/2/2011 -
" The strongest moments of this incisive memoir and history will not fail to move any reader. Given the wars America now finds itself in, The Father of All Things becomes even more sobering. "
— G, 3/30/2011 -
" I don't think I like audio books. "
— Care, 7/13/2010 -
" Great job weaving together historical fact and personal accounts. "
— Charlie, 9/25/2009 -
" The strongest moments of this incisive memoir and history will not fail to move any reader. Given the wars America now finds itself in, <em>The Father of All Things</em> becomes even more sobering. "
— G, 8/8/2008 -
" Didn't care for the way the book was laid out. <br/>The author was speaking for his father, and his feelings. Statistics and Political information to me got in the way. At times I felt like I was reading a chronological account of the Vietnam War. "
— Dennis, 3/20/2008 -
" Bissel covers some new territory and it is certainly a novel approach to the war. He gets a little preachy which is annoying but this is a good book worth a read if you are interested in vietnam. "
— John, 12/21/2007 -
" I wanted to read this one because of a good review in the Wall Street Journal. I thought it might bring some insight to my own father's experience in Vietnam. Interesting read about a terrible US experience. "
— Lou, 10/2/2007 -
" Very detailed account of the VietNam ward-too detailed sometimes but maybe necessary.. Many passages remind of the war we're in now; poorly planned, poorly equipped and government dishonesty. "
— Rosebud, 9/1/2007
About Tom Bissell
Tom Bissell is the author of Chasing the Sea and God Lives in St. Petersburg, and is a contributing editor for Harper’s Magazine and The Virginia Quarterly Review. In 2006 he was awarded the Rome Fellowship by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and his work has been selected several times by the Best American Short Stories, Best American Travel Writing, and Best American Science Writing series.
About Kerin McCue
Kerin McCue is an audiobook narrator whose readings include Charles Wheelan’s Naked Economics, Larry LcMurtry’s Horseman, Pass By, Stanley Bing’s Rome, Inc, and Tom Bissell’s The Father of All Things.