A Dragon Apparent: Travels in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam

I chose to read this book even though I have little interest in pre-war Vietnam, Asia and Cambodia. Reason was I had read of Norman Lewis's other books, "Naples '44" and "The Honored Society" and gad so enjoyed them I thought that "A Dragon Apparent" would be worth reading, too. I was not disappointed. Louis's description of this region in the years prior to the war that all but destroyed the cultures there is quite interesting. One is left with the impression that had someone from the US state department had sat down for a long talk with Louis, maybe the tragic Viet Nam conflict could have been avoided.

You wouldn't think this old book would be as fascinating as it is but it reads like fiction. Really interesting insight into a world and time that are long gone. Fascinating.

I found this book both informative and entertaining. It raised questions in my mind about those countries in the period between WWII and the Viet Nam war which I intend to research.

An excellent description of Indochina just after the Second World War. A background to what happened subsequently.

Great travel writing. Writer very personally involved. Book in great condition: big, dark print. Easy to read.

I wish I had read this book before I went to Vietnam not immediately after. it explained so many things I saw in North Vietnam still today. Well written and interesting description of the conflict in Cambodia Laos and Vietnam.

Norman Lewis was a most brilliant writer with the eye of a an observer who sees what trials people and their land goes through.

I'm planning a trip to the area. It was very interesting and informative to me. I highly recommend this book to other travelers.

An excellent description of Indochina in the last days of French colonial rule. 65 years of hindsight make it particularly fascinating. It works on all levels - political, social, philosophical, spiritual and moral analysis together with adventurous journeys and historical perspective - told with insight and humour. I was very pleased to be recommended this book.

Recommend this to everyone. It's a glimpse into a part of the world that was already under attack, destined for all kinds of horrible destruction. As always with Normal Lewis, this world is more complex than we could have imagined. The enormity of what happened there is also more than we could have imagined. Makes you see everything with different eyes.

beautifully written account of early 1950s travel through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, recalling the world of a Graham Greene novel; account of French colonialism prescient of horrors of what would come a decade later.

Can't seem to get into this book. I'll try again at a later date.

The Vietnam War...everyone knows the tales, the films,the images,the defeat and the eventual humiliation of the americans...but barely a decade earlier the French colonial forces suffered a similar fate...history repeats itself....and my mind shifts to Afghanistan..!." A Dragon Apparent" is about Lewis's travels in Indochina (Vietnam,Cambodia and Laos) in the early 1950's during the protracted war between the Viet Minh and French colonial forces. Within a few years of Lewis visiting the area, the French would be defeated at Dien Bien Phu and forced to leave Indochina.The war is always looming in the background of this highly readable and intelligent travel narrative, as Lewis moves from region to region the French are barricaded in and dont dare to venture out at night. He visits the tribes of the Central Highlands(devastated by the americans a decade later), where the locals are press-ganged into working on plantations and Viet Minh irregulars harass the supply routes. The tribes he visited have long since been divided or damaged by the Vietnam War, it is fascinating to read about these lost worlds, where the french colonials try to educate their subjects while exploiting their manpower.There is a sadness at the heart of this book, Lewis is an upbeat and chipper writer but he must have felt that the war was starting to change Indochina, indeed the whole region would be devastated within 15 years. He mixes with the French soldiers, the locals and colonials, observing events and absorbing the culture.I didnt expect such a detailed account of a mainly forgotten era and war. Eland have a huge catalogue of historical travel literature and i recommend checking them out