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| Book cover: “Ho Chi Minh and the Lessons”. Photo: Bao Phuoc |
The book comprises 32 stories about Ho Chi Minh, structured into three clear, logical parts. The first part: “A True Communist Soldier,” contains 7 stories. The second part: “Unchanging in the Face of Change,” includes 16 stories. The third part: “Uncle Ho is not an emperor”, has 9 stories. This deliberate arrangement by the author ties the issues to historical context, a rarity in previously published books about Ho Chi Minh.
The content of the book is based on research, reference materials, collection, and field surveys conducted both domestically and internationally, spanning nearly 34 years of Dr. Chu Duc Tinh’s work at the Ho Chi Minh Museum (from 1980 until his retirement in 2014). The author “lived and worked in a scientific environment that was both rigorous and full of humanity…, fortunate to have had direct contact with comrades who spent their entire lives beside Ho Chi Minh, especially with the beloved Teacher - Uncle - and Chief: comrade Vu Ky” (Ho Chi Minh’s long-time close secretary and former Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum).
From these intimate conversations with such rare, invaluable living witnesses, the author meticulously recorded, cross-referenced with relevant documents and events, carefully selected... combined with passion and respect for beloved Ho Chi Minh (through touching narratives), providing the inspiration for Dr. Chu Duc Tinh to write this book. Consequently, most of the stories in the book are written concisely, succinctly, easy to understand, remember, and to imitate…, simple yet refined.
After each story, the author has “skillfully extracted lessons on ideology, style, and ethics in everyday life today in a gentle yet profound manner.” This is a new, creative, and attractive feature for readers (especially the younger generation), with a certain spread within the community, accompanying with the study and imitation of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style, with a flexible approach, and a new spirit of “learning and following Ho Chi Minh, but not mechanically or dogmatically,” which is increasingly deepening, yielding practical results, creating effects, and trust among the people. This is also the meaningful contribution of Dr. Chu Duc Tinh, whose book brings about...