A Gracious Enemy

A Gracious Enemy #1-2

by Michael G. Kramer

The full story of the three Indochina Wars. Including warts and all. The first was the Indochinese People fighting against the French colonists and their suppliers and allies from the USA. The second was the people of Indochina (Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam) fighting against an allied coalition force made up of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, South Vietnam and the USA. The Second Indochina War is usually referred to as the Vietnam War. This book examines the re-adjustment of Vietnamese society after the uprising of the Tay Son Brothers in 1770, their stopping of the Trin and Nguyen families oppression of the Vietnamese people. The coming of the Catholic Church and how this affected the people is examined. As well the activities of Pineau de Bahrain, who was a missionary and the Bishop of Adran - he did much to ensure the French takeover of the majority of South East Asia. That was followed by the French takeover and full colonisation and rule by France. To better control the people, the French forbade the use of Chinese characters in writing and transcribed the entire Vietnamese language into the Latin alphabet, which was then taught in all schools. During WW2, Asian people saw that the Caucasian people could be beaten, That resulted in the First Indochina War, which ended with the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. The Second Indochina War ended in 1975 with the withdrawal of the last American soldier from Vietnam. The Third Indochina War ended when the Vietnamese Army invaded Kampuchea, resulting in Vietnamese tanks entering its capital while the Pol Pot administration fled into the jungle.

Genres: History, War, Nonfiction, Book Club, Contemporary, France, Asia

503 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2019

About the author

Served Australian army, including war service in the Vietnam War in 1968 - 1969. Came home to public shunning of Vietnam Veterans and discrimination against Vietnam Veterans by potential employers. This resulted in the setting up of the first business, (contract fencing) because I could not get a job. In due course, I studied for Advanced Diploma of Egineering Technology, Associate Degree of Civil Engineering and I am now doing my Arts degree. It was during the study of the arts degree that I became interested in the history of Northern Europe and Germania during the times of Julius and Augustus Ceasar. This led to researching and writing of the second book entitled 'For the Love of Armin'. Currently studying Bachelor of Construction Management.

Reviews

[Blancmange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read other Kramer books and love them as I’ve always had a passion for history. It doesn’t matter so much whether work like this is fiction or non-fiction as the research that has gone into them is so detailed and obviously well researched. A Gracious Enemy is a story about the three Indochina Wars, and it so well written I felt a part of the action. Michael Kramer is a writer who cares for the details in his books. They are believable, full of facts, interesting plots, and characters with real personality and depth. I can recommend this book to anyone who loves history in general or wants to find out more about Indochina colonisation time.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and important survey

Australian author Michael Kramer is a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having served with the First Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) in the Vietnam War during 1968 and 1969, and has published five novels - FULL CIRCLE FOR MICK, FOR THE LOVE OF ARMIN, NOW WHAT?!! (and the version, ANGLO-SAXON INVASION), and A GRACIOUS ENEMY - a book he dedicates ‘to the Vietnam Veterans of all nations which took part in the Vietnam War…I have found myself wanting to tell readers about the Vietnam War as it was seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese people without any political hype.’

The exhaustively researched and documented content of this laudable book is impressive as a history resource, but one aspect that makes the book even more important is Michael’s humanitarian approach to all aspects of the scope of information of the Vietnam wars. The tenor of his book is suggested in his comment, ‘One thing that became very clear during my own war service is that those who are actively taking part in war-like activities very seldom hate their former enemies. The reverse is the case with a great respect developing among the veterans, even if they happened to be on opposing sides…the people of Vietnam have suffered much for what may best be described as political chess between superpowers…the Vietnamese people are a good and hard-working people who only ever wanted their own country to be free of outside interference and who are fiercely independent. ’

Granted, Michael’s words reflect the Vietnam War, ‘the Richard Nixon’s War’, he personally witnessed, but that degree of concern is felt throughout his excellent volume that covers the timeframe from 1770 to the present. Any attempt to condense the information of his book would pale beside his own summary: ‘The full story of the three Indochina Wars. Including warts and all. The first was the Indochinese People fighting against the French colonists and their suppliers and allies from the USA. The second was the people of Indochina (Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam) fighting against an allied coalition force made up of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, South Vietnam and the USA. The Second Indochina War is usually referred to as the Vietnam War. This book examines the re-adjustment of Vietnamese society after the uprising of the Tay Son Brothers in 1770, their stopping of the Trin and Nguyen families oppression of the Vietnamese people. The coming of the Catholic Church and how this affected the people is examined. As well the activities of Pineau de Bahrain, who was a missionary and the Bishop of Adran - he did much to ensure the French takeover of the majority of South East Asia. That was followed by the French takeover and full colonisation and rule by France. To better control the people, the French forbade the use of Chinese characters in writing and transcribed the entire Vietnamese language into the Latin alphabet, which was then taught in all schools. During WW2, Asian people saw that the Caucasian people could be beaten. That resulted in the First Indochina War, which ended with the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. The Second Indochina War ended in 1975 with the withdrawal of the last American soldier from Vietnam. The Third Indochina War ended when the Vietnamese Army invaded Kampuchea, resulting in Vietnamese tanks entering its capital while the Pol Pot administration fled into the jungle.’

Personal stories mixed with sound research of the other wars Indochina has suffered make this book not only educational, but also entertaining, as it is related in story format. This is probably the most sound condensation of the facts and history and implications of the Indochina Wars yet assembled. It is lengthy, but so rich in facts and in insights that it should be read by all people committed to understanding – and preventing – war. Highly Recommended.

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both incredibly engaging and educational. The book has clearly been exceptionally well-researched as it delves into the three Indochina Wars. Kramer goes into a great deal of detail throughout the book, giving both backstory, events, and the ramifications of the three wars. I feel like I was barely taught about the Vietnam war and don't remember learning about the other two. This book shows the knowledge and passion of the writer and offers a lot to the reader. The story weaves through history in a captivating way that made the book hard to put down. The book is full of violence, so if you don't like to read about that, then this is not the book for you. Well-written, well-research, well-executed; overall a great historical fiction read.

[Sparrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book after a trip to Vietnam when I realised I knew so little about the Vietnam war and nothing about the others discussed in this book. The ramifications of all 3 are so prevalent and have shaped the country to be what it is today, including the unrelenting, resilient nature of the Vietnamese people. The book provides so much information from the beginning to the end and the after effects of each war, and the personal accounts are so touching. The detail and research put into the book shows the authors dedication to the subject and its put to the reader with so much care and natural talent.

[Stephen R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gracious Enemy takes us through three Indochina Wars. The first war was the Indochinese people against the French and their USA allies. The second war was the Indochina people on one side and the coalition of Australia, USA, New Zealand, and South America on the other. Indochina was composed of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. This war is popularly known as the Vietnam War.

This book explores the Vietnamese readjustment after the Toy Son Brothers uprising in 1770. It examines how the Vietnamese brought to an end the oppression by Trin and Nguyen families on the Vietnamese people. Additionally, the role of the Catholic Church, Missionary Pineau de Bahrain, and Bishop of Adran are closely examined.

After the French colonized Indochina, they prohibited the use of Chinese and Vietnam. The second war was a game-changer. It showed that Caucasian people could be defeated. During the First Indochina War, the French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu. The Vietnam War saw the withdrawal of the American soldiers from Vietnam. The Vietnamese then successfully invaded the Kampuchea in the third Indochina war. It is an interesting historical read.

[MoreTea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The style A Gracious Enemy is written in makes history come alive with all the facts incorporated with personal testimony. The personal accounts are that of the Vietnamese people, a view that many probably haven’t been privy too. Kramer gives the backstory, the events that unfolded and the consequences “without any political hype”. This is great book to educate yourself on these particular wars and I’m sure the undercurrents are applicable to all. The research was clearly expansive and although the book is long with detail it is worth the time to understand more than anything the cause and effect of war. A must read for any history buff and humanitarian.

[Katia123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Kramer has done a phenomenal job with this book. So engaging all the way through while being packed with immense detail. The view of before, during and after is both amazing and heartbreaking and the personal accounts will stay with you. They are a great way to make the history of the events come to life for anyone that has been fortunate enough to never experience war. I learnt so much but about the motives and consequences but my biggest take away is the permanent change to so many lives and that's what should be remembered the most.

[Huge Yakman · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A Gracious Enemy' is historically accurate in its facts surrounding events that took place during the Vietnam war, combined with some fiction to embellish the characters perspectives. The difference between how Kramer writes and a historical book, is that he allows us to delve deeper into the lives of the people that would have been involved. While reading, I really got an insight into how the Vietnamese were affected, and the absolute torment people suffered at the hands of a war which tore a culture apart over decades. Necessarily dealing with facts and politics, Kramer is a voice for the people caught up in the crossfire. I found this a heartbreaking yet inspiring read. The writing feels brutally honest and emotionally charged. It reads well, and is a tribute to veterans, and a truly humbling read.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gracious Enemy ‘storytelleruk2019’ by Michael G Kramer is a historical recount of wars in Southeast Asia, mostly Vietnam. The author combines fictional dialog and history narrative to tell his story. I find the story behind where Vietnam came from and where it is now fascinating. This country has struggled for hundreds of years under different dictators and rulers. They used pride, riches, and their own religious beliefs to influence the people and to gain a following.
 
Michael G Kramer’s extensive study on the history of Vietnam is impressive, but his own experience in this country adds credibility to his novel, A Gracious Enemy. I loved the tactical approaches that were taken when rivals challenged the rulers of the time. Many of the strategic actions were brilliant. My favorite part of this book is around the year of 1945 and how President Ho Chi Minh rallied the people out of a famine and illiteracy. His leadership is impressive. Overall, this book gives a bird's-eye view of a country that has been through many hardships, but continues to move towards improving whatever rule they are under.  

[Jade Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in wartime history, then like me, you will enjoy 'A Gracious Enemy' by Micheal G Kramer. It chronicles the story of the three Indochina wars where Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia battled the combined forces of France and the US.
I found the history of the Vietnam War particularly interesting, and it was given the real human touch with the element of fiction. You really see how the conflict-affected real people, which in parts was emotional, gruesome, heartbreaking, and even inspiring.
Kramer has been honest in his storytelling, which I think is so important in remembering conflict. It also made the book incredibly impactful and powerful.

[Vasil Kolev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Biased, badly written and pretty much made up. Half the book tries to give good high level overview, the other has none of this and is a history of just some operations where Australians were involved. This is not a history of the wars, it's random sampling.