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February 7, 2002 HISTORY PROF’S BOOK OFFERS LOOK AT VIETNAM AND ITS PEOPLE 
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Many Americans are familiar with Vietnam only in the context of the Vietnam War. Now, a new book by Boise State University professor Shelton Woods brings this Southeast Asian country to life as it examines the major political, social and cultural developments that have influenced it through more than 2,000 years of history. Vietnam: An Illustrated History, published by Hippocrene Books (175 pages, $14.95 paperback), spans the tragic and heroic events that shaped this community and its people. Beginning with early folkloric myths, Woods paints a panoramic view of the country’s domination by various empire nations (including China, Japan, France and the United States), its religious and philosophical influences, its culture and the heroic resilience of its people. The compact 5x7-inch volume is complemented by 47 black-and-white illustrations. In the book’s introduction, Woods said Vietnam’s ability to overcome its oppressors time and again "is a remarkable feat and a testament to the rich and deep culture that pervades Vietnamese society." While readers might be more familiar with Vietnam’s more recent history, the story of its past provides an excellent framework for understanding the most recent conflicts. Vietnam is the latest in a series of books in Hippocrene’s Illustrated History series. The series boasts 24 histories of countries, cities and states. Each is a compact volume depicting the entire history of a region, from earliest times to the present, written in an accessible, engaging style. The books are of interest to travelers, students and the general public. Woods was born and raised in Southeast Asia. An associate professor of East/Southeast Asian history at Boise State, he received his Ph.D. in Southeast Asian history from the University of California-Los Angeles. He currently lives in Boise with his wife, Karen. For a review copy of Vietnam: An Illustrated History, contact Anne Kemper at (212) 685-4371 or hippocrene.books@verizon.net. Contact:
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