In a 1980s junior college classroom in western Florida, a young English professor assigns the first paper. Her students, of whom many are of Vietnamese origin, are unsure of what to write about. The professor offers one piece of advice:

"Write about what you know."

This book is a collection of essays written by Vietnamese refugees who vividly depict their memories of fear, danger, hope, and strength as they escaped Vietnam during one of the darkest periods of the twentieth century. Their stories provide a glimpse into this period that is grossly underemphasized by historical curricula, and remind us of the resilience of the human spirit in dangerous situations. In addition to the essays, the book includes a new introduction by the instructor who reflects on the lessons she learned from her Vietnamese students that stayed with her for the rest of her life.

Peace, liberty, and freedom can be achieved on our planet, but only through communication, understanding, and empathy between different peoples. The people of the United States do not know nearly enough about the Vietnamese people for and against whom we battled so many years. We have not heard the voices, the thoughts, the experiences, and the attitudes of this population. Perhaps because we have not listened.