Where the Wind Leads, Dr. Vinh Chung
Where the Wind Leads, Dr. Vinh Chung
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Where the Wind Leads
A Refugee Family's Miraculous Story of Loss, Rescue, and Redemption

Author: Dr. Vinh Chung, Tim Downs

Narrator: Josh Aaron

Unabridged: 10 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 04/29/2014


Synopsis

From the harrowing experiences of their journey across the South China Sea in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to the heartwarming account of their successful restaurant venture in America, the refugee story of Vinh Chung and his family is riveting. In a time where the current topics are immigration and human rights, this first-hand account reminds us to view events and people with a lens of compassion.Just eight months after South Vietnam fell to the communists in 1975 Vinh Chung was born. His family was wealthy, controlling a rice-milling empire worth millions; but within months of the communist takeover, the Chungs lost everything and were reduced to abject poverty. Knowing that their children would have no future under the new government, the Chungs decided to flee the country. In 1979, they joined the legendary “boat people” and sailed into the South China Sea, despite knowing that an estimated two hundred thousand of their countrymen had already perished at the hands of brutal pirates and violent seas.Narrating a multigenerational memoir, Vinh illustrates the compassionate side of humanitarian efforts and the life-changing moments that brought him to America as a child. With a sharp sense of humor he unravels ethnic hostility faced when they arrived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the challenges and struggles of his family as they strove to achieve the American dream, and how he and his siblings went on to earn master degrees and doctorates from prestigious universities – all because his parents took a leap of faith and held on to the courage of building a new life.Some of stories Vinh shares are:The family’s perilous journey through pirate attacks on a lawless seaThe grueling life of being in a refugee camp in Malaysia before their rescue by World VisionTheir miraculous rescue and a new home in the unlikely town of Fort Smith, ArkansasVinh’s struggles against poverty, discrimination, and a bewildering language barrierHis graduation from Harvard Medical SchoolWhere the Wind Leads is Vinh’s tribute to the courage and sacrifice of his parents, a testimony to his family’s faith, and a reminder to people everywhere that the American dream, while still possible, carries with it a greater responsibility.

About Dr. Vinh Chung

Vinh Chung graduated Harvard magna cum laude with a BA in biology and attended Harvard Medical School for his MD. Dr. Chung also studied at the University of Sydney as a Fulbright Scholar and completed a masters of pharmaceutical sciences. He completed his dermatology residency at Emory University, where he served as chief resident. He currently serves on World Vision's National Leadership Council. Dr. Chung and his wife Leisle have three children and run a successful private practice.

About Tim Downs

Tim Downs is the author of nine novels including the Christy Award-winning PlagueMaker and the highly acclaimed series of Bug Man novels. Tim lives in North Carolina with his wife Joy. They have three grown children.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Whitney on May 27, 2014

Wow. Like Unbroken, this book is a testament to what one man (one family, really) can survive. I bought this book because we were about to meet the author. I had heard a little of the story, so I knew that part would be amazing, but I didn't expect it to be so well-written. The author's voice really......more

Goodreads review by Amy on November 08, 2017

I hate to get political in a book review, but if there was ever a greater argument to think with more compassion about current topics such as immigration and human rights, this book would be a really great piece to start with. Anyone who ever thinks that people who come to this country from abroad (......more

Goodreads review by Krisette on July 16, 2014

This was a wonderfully, thought-provoking memoir about a Chinese family who had to flee Vietnam after the Viet Cong took over the government. The book was so fascinating and really made me think about how much we have in this country. It also opens your eyes to the plight of so many who suffer in ot......more

Goodreads review by Stacy on April 16, 2019

This story was heart wrenching and inspirational. I learned so much about the plight of refugees as I read and gained a whole new level of sympathy because of it. This is another book that, in my opinion, every American should read!......more

Goodreads review by Greta on April 01, 2019

Although the biographer's story is compelling, the writing is just "eh".......more