Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Provides book reviews, by kids, for kids

.: Inside Scoop Live

Provides live author interviews for podcast

.: Authors Access

Provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Provides post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Provides book reviews and author publicity

.: LR Communication Design

Provides professional website design and development

.: Blogging Authors

Provides a place where writers and readers meet

.: Review The Book

Provides 5 books reviews on 10 different sites

.: Best Sellers World

Provides book reviews and author features

.: Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Provides book reviews and author features

reviews

Myanmar: In My Father’s Footsteps

Pauline Hayton
Pauline Hayton (2011)
ASIN: B005H0JDPG


Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (8/11)

Having recently finished reading my copy of “Naga Queen,” written by Pauline Hayton, and having enjoyed that historical novel immensely; when I was subsequently asked if I would be interested in reviewing her book “Myanmar: In My Father’s Footsteps” I happily, and immediately, accepted.

Unlike the author’s previous book that I had read “Myanmar: In My Father’s Footsteps” is not a work of historical fiction. Instead it is a written accounting of Hayton’s experiences as she trekked through Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) attempting to make the same journey that her father had during his World War II tour of duty.

Having become a lot closer with her father during the writing of her books and having recently fought cancer and escaped its cold clutches Hayton decided to personally visit the lands she had heard so much about. With her husband Peter by her side, and a wonderful film crew to help her capture this trip on film for her grandchildren, Hayton explored remote regions rarely seen by outsiders; traveled the famous Ledo Road and followed in her father’s footsteps as closely as the various governments would allow. Unfortunately Hayton wasn’t allowed to completely follow her initial itinerary but she did see enough to gain a better perspective of her father’s World War II experiences and there were definitely some sad and somber moments. On the one hand it was wonderful to see, photograph, and travel on the still intact roads and bridges built during his time; on the other hand it was sobering to travel to cities and monuments where thousands had laid down their lives for both sides.

In summary, I would say that “Myanmar: In My Father’s Footsteps” is an interesting and well-written book. I also thought that the photographs Hayton included throughout the book were a nice touch. Truthfully I didn’t find “Myanmar: In My Father’s Footsteps” quite as interesting as “Naga Queen” but I do think that’s mainly because it seemed to be written more as a personal journal than a manuscript. Knowing that Hayton brought a film crew with her on this trip, and knowing that she was trying to preserve her experiences so that her children and grandchildren would know her father better also seems to point to this conclusion.

.: Blog
.: FTC Disclosure