The best-selling and counterfeited memoir “Family, Friends and Country”

Memoir "Family, Friends and Country" by former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh.

“Family, Friends and Country” is a 2nd edition published by Omega Plus Books in collaboration with the National Political Publishing House Truth.

The book depicts the life of former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, who was also the first female Foreign Minister and Head of the negotiating delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference.

The book consists of 14 chapters, recording the milestones in her life, who participated in and witnessed the ups and downs of history, from childhood to participating in revolutionary activities, important milestones in the struggle for national independence and even after retirement, as she chose a very simple title: "Family, friends and country" - the origins that created special strength in her.

The book was written by Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh in 2007 when she was 80 years old, completed at the end of 2009 and supplemented and edited in 2013, 2014, and 2023.

She wrote the book in a simple, intimate way, but exuded the spirit of patriotism, for the country and for the people through each sentence, each word. Although it is a memoir, the book mainly talks about important events of the country and the people through the memories of a person who lived his life for the country.

The book provides readers with the most comprehensive overview of Vietnam's recent and modern history summarized in nearly 300 pages, with complete and accurate historical facts, written in simple, intimate, profound but emotional language, full of patriotism, peace-loving spirit, sense of responsibility for the country and the people, and with extraordinary intelligence, creating weight in each sentence, each word.

In 2012, the book was introduce to readers, published by Tri Thuc Publishing House and Phuong Nam Culture Company. The book launch took place in Hanoi and Da Nang.

This reprinted edition has been revised and supplemented to provide a comprehensive view of the life and career of a resilient woman who devoted her youth to the revolution. The book provides vivid historical documents about the ups and downs of the nation in the 20th century through the author's perspective: from her childhood away from home, her years in prison, to her historical role at the Paris Conference.

The book also brings inspirational messages to the young generation about patriotism and dedication.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh signed the Paris Agreement on Vietnam on January 27, 1973, at the International Conference Center in Paris, France. (Photo: VNA)

The book is an image of the country and people seen through the 98-year life and 79-year Party membership of former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh.

The life of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh is closely linked to the important historical events of the country throughout the 20th century. Those were the resistance war against French colonialism (1945-1954), the resistance war against American imperialism (1954-1975) which achieved complete victory, the country was at peace, moving towards socialism, and then implementing the renovation process for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, democracy, equality, and civilization. Having held many different positions, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh has made many important contributions to the revolutionary cause of the nation.

Minister Xuan Thuy and former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh - outstanding figures on the diplomatic front of the Vietnamese revolution. (Photo: VNA)

The name of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh is also associated with a historic diplomatic event: the Paris Conference on Vietnam, a meeting that lasted from 1968 to 1973. The conference had 4 heads of delegation, including the only female head of delegation, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh - Minister of Foreign Affairs - Head of the negotiation delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. To achieve this historic diplomatic victory, there were contributions and sacrifices of the entire Vietnamese people, including her, one of the representatives of the parties signing the Paris Agreement in 1973 and the only woman to sign this Agreement.

The book was warmly received by readers at its first release. The book was translated into English by American writer Lady Borton under the name Nguyen Thi Binh - Memoir - Family, Friends and Country, and introduced to international friends at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany in October 2015.

Poor quality fake books announced by Omega Books.

With the popularity of the book, many fake and low-quality pirated books are appearing on the market.

Many counterfeit books are openly sold.

The announcement from Omega Plus Books said that, along with the fake and pirated versions of books, some fanpages and online shops are selling old versions (released 13 years ago), with poor print quality, very high prices compared to the original, easily causing confusion and affecting the rights of authors, publishers and readers.

Omega Plus Books also published an old, unedited version of the book, which is currently being sold in many places.

Omega Plus Books also notes that, to avoid buying fake or low-quality books, readers should avoid buying publications with poor quality paper, blurred or smudged ink, book sizes that do not meet announced standards, loose or smudged book spines, and no anti-counterfeit stamps.

The memoir “Family, Friends and Country” by former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh is part of the general trend of young people today when they look to buy many historical books, especially books about the period 1954-1975, books about revolutionary war history, War memoirs… This is a welcome sign in the shift in reading culture among young people.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hoi-ky-gia-dinh-ban-be-va-dat-nuoc-an-khach-va-bi-lam-gia-3356671.html