The collection of biographical sketches titled "Symbols of Time" (People's Army Publishing House, 2025) was born from that inspiration. The 30 faces depicted in the book represent 30 lives of dedicated individuals. They come from all regions of the country and work in various fields.

Many of these figures share a commonality: they all served in the military, eagerly enlisted, endured the brutal years of war, and dedicated their youth to the battlefield, contributing to the nation's victory. They are not only living witnesses to a historical period but also embodiments of the enduring vitality and radiant truth of a talented generation who, undeterred by sacrifice and hardship, "marched across the Truong Son Mountains to save the country," driven by the sacred ideal: all for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

The book cover.

What makes this book so profound is not only their wartime achievements but also their beautiful lives and contributions to society after peace was restored. Some were doctors who, during the war, spent many years quietly and wholeheartedly caring for the health of cadres and people in remote areas, like Dr. Phan Thi Phi Phi in "The Heart of Doctor Phi Phi." Others were educators, dedicating their lives to imparting knowledge and character to generations of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as seen in "The Compassionate Heart of an Old Teacher" and "Twenty Years of Free Teaching." Still others returned from the war, traveled far and wide, building their careers from scratch, and now, despite their success, remain deeply concerned about their comrades, silently sponsoring charitable funds to help them overcome illness and hardship, as exemplified by "The Courageous Female Soldiers of Truong Son."

Regardless of their field, their most prominent common trait is their compassion and dedication to the community. They do not forget the deceased, nor those affected by bombs and bullets, and certainly do not forget their mission to beautify life with their talent and humanity. They have proven that ideals are not only revealed in war but continue to spread through every action and every kind deed in peacetime.

This collection of essays portrays each character with a realistic, subtle, and emotionally rich writing style. The author allows the characters to speak for themselves through their lives, their thoughts, actions, memories, and aspirations for a beautiful life. Through this, readers will feel the profound humanity of these "ordinary yet extraordinary" people, just as they quietly beautify life every day.

"Symbols of Time" is not only a collection of portraits of individuals who lived beautiful lives, but also a tribute to those who silently dedicated themselves to society. The author of these portraits is Major Pham Thi Thu Thuy, a journalist currently working at the People's Army Newspaper. Her work, which involves "hunting" for ordinary yet noble glimpses into life, has continuously enriched her life experiences and writing skills.

Readers are encouraged to immerse themselves in each page and feel the meaningful message the author conveys: History is not found in dry documents but is alive in the people around us – people whose presence, when we reflect upon them, reveals so much value, allowing us to appreciate the heroism of the past, the kindness of the present, and the hope for the future!

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/sach/chuyen-nhung-nguoi-to-dep-cuoc-song-1039090