New perspective on portraits through the Character Chronicles of writer Nguyen Cao Tham

(CLO) I was very moved when I received the newly published book “Character Memoirs” from my journalist colleague, writer Nguyen Cao Tham, former reporter of Bac Thai Newspaper, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Bac Can Newspaper. “Character Memoirs” is the 22nd book collection by writer Nguyen Cao Tham, recently published by the Writers Association Publishing House.

The book introduces 68 characters with many new discoveries and new perspectives. The first part of the book tells little-known stories about politicians and the identities of famous people. That is the story of General Vo Nguyen Giap composing a folk song and then translating it into Tay and Dao languages; the story of the simplicity, integrity and warmth of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai; the story of former Minister of Energy Thai Phung Ne directing the construction of the North-South super high-voltage power transmission line; the story of Acting Minister of Mines and Coal Tran Anh Vinh rescuing miners from rice shortages in the early years of the country's renovation; the story of Mr. Nguyen Duc Phan, from a prisoner to a Minister; the story of Mr. Doan Kien, former Chairman of the Coal - Mineral Group, after his retirement, "walking along the road" (the meaning of the saying of Confucius "The gentleman walks along the road"); The story of Mr. Nguyen Duyet, Director of Cao Son Coal Mine, deliberately "move the mortar", trying to delay the Ministry's decision so that the mine workers could stay in Cam Pha town and preside over the construction of the beautiful and lyrical Cao Son Coal Mine village as it is today; the story of the "backer" of the former Editor-in-Chief of a newspaper who was exempted from criminal prosecution; the story of Professor Nguyen Lan Dung - the cheerful "village chief"; the story of journalist Xuan Ba, a famous reportage writer, taking refuge in Ba Be Lake....

The book Character Memoirs has just been published.

The second part of the book tells about the master scientists of the leading professors but few people know. They are Professor. Academician Tran Dinh Long, the agricultural scientist "father" of many soybean and peanut varieties; Associate Professor. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoai Duc, the first doctor of obstetrics and gynecology in Vietnam.... Many innovators with scientific works that bring great value to the community and society are also introduced in this part such as Professor. Dr. Hoang Xuan Thao, who wrote many software applications in teaching and grading exams in schools; Dr. Trinh Xuan Duc with safe and environmentally friendly products. Many people know about Mr. Doan Van Vuon in Tien Lang, Hai Phong, who resisted law enforcement officers and was imprisoned. But his talent in preventing fierce waves and straightening the Van Uc River is probably not known to many people, now told in this book.

Those Days - a book of fascinating journalistic essays

“Stories of artists” in the third part of the book are interesting stories about the fate of writers, poets, film directors, singers, etc. That is the story of director Long Van who made famous films but never won any awards; the love story of poet Luu Quang Vu and To Uyen - a strong inspiration for Luu Quang Vu to compose excellent works; the story of writer Nguyen Vinh Tu, a writing friend of great writers such as Nguyen Minh Chau, Tu Bich Hoang, Nguyen Trong Oanh, etc. but encountered “Ach in the middle of the road” (the name of his work) so he could not “raise” his head. It was not until the last years of his life that he was able to flourish and express himself. That is the happy story of poet Tran Nhuan Minh; the sad story of writer Ly Bien Cuong.

This section also provides many new documents of artists. That is the story of poet Cam Giang, author of “Dong Song Ma – Nui Muong Hung” who worked as a midwife, a doctor and a wedding master for miners. The story of writer Vo Huy Tam bringing the unfinished manuscript “Lam Neo” written in the Mining region to the Viet Bac resistance zone, and was guided by writer Nguyen Huy Tuong to edit it into the famous novel “Vung Mo”. There are talented and famous figures in other fields, but poetry is their flesh and blood, their life. That is journalist Doan Manh Phuong, known by many as the Editor-in-Chief of the dynamic magazine. But with poetry, more than 30 years ago, his poems with a new tone appeared in newspapers. Since then, he has been slowly and steadily asserting his own style with a poetic voice full of personality, rich in thought, not mixed with anyone else's poetry. Painter Le Tien Vuong is famous for designing logos and illustrating pictures for newspapers, but he writes poetry like… brushing his teeth and washing his face every day. His poetry is full of satirical folklore but has a reportage nature.

The section “Thanks to life” at the end of the book is about the author’s friends and colleagues. It is about the poet Dang Vuong Hung “rescuing” the fate of “Da Mang”; the writer Nguyen Khac Truong going to the highlands to find material for writing novels; the writer Vu Thao Ngoc writing in the ferry of Coc Sau coal mine.... This section also introduces characters who are disabled people who wrote famous works; autistic children who were trained with special methods have become “Tiny Talents”, record holders, and Guinness World Records. Their stories are symbols of the potential and endless strength of human beings. Through the stories of “real people, real events”, the writer and journalist Nguyen Cao Tham has portrayed outstanding portraits of 68 characters with humanistic beauty and their contributions to the country.

Commonly known as Cao Tham, pen name: Minh Cao; born in 1957, in Hong Thanh, Yen Thanh, Nghe An; permanent residence in Hanoi. He has 25 years of experience as Deputy Editor-in-Chief in charge of content for central and local newspapers and magazines; currently editor-in-chief of the New Works Special Issue.

Up to now, he has published 22 books in the following genres: Novels, Short Stories; Stage & Cinema scripts; Reportage and edited more than 30 books on history, traditional history, cultural research... for provinces and sectors: Coal - Minerals, Traffic - Transportation, Post Office, Health, Education - Training...

Huu Minh

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/goc-nhin-moi-ve-chan-dung-qua-ky-su-nhan-vat-cua-nha-van-nha-bao-nguyen-cao-tham-post318281.html