Sydney Writers' Festival 2008 - Online Program
Paul Ham in Conversation
Event 271		print Print This Page
“Surely God weeps,” an Australian Vietnam veteran wrote in despair at the memory of the Vietnam War. But no act of God intervened to stop the long years of carnage and devastation in this most controversial of wars.

Paul Ham’s sweeping account of Australia’s involvement in Vietnam draws on hundreds of unpublished sources and interviews with soldiers, politicians, medical practitioners, aid providers, entertainers and the Vietnamese people to reconstruct the epic history of a campaign that disfigured a country and divided the world, nations, families and friends.

At its heart, this is the soldiers' story – of being tossed about in politicians' battles. Unlike any previous history of the war, Paul Ham sets the Australian story in the context of both the American and Vietnamese experiences, giving us a true sense of the sheer scale of this tragedy.

Paul Ham talks to Michael Sexton.

In Conversation  |  History, Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs,
Participants
Paul Ham, Michael Sexton SC (facilitator)

When
Sunday, May 25 2008
10:00 - 11:00

Where
Sydney Dance Company, Studio 4
Pier 4/5, Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
Venue and Transport Info...

Cost
Free

Schedule
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PAUL HAM (LOCAL)Ham, Paul by Justin McLean
Paul Ham is the author of the highly acclaimed Kokoda and the Australian correspondent of the London Sunday Times. He was born and educated in Australia and lives in Sydney, having spent several years working in Britain as a journalist and publisher.

In November 2007 he released his second book, Vietnam which has been received favourably by both Vietnam veterans and critics alike. Vietnam is the definitive account of Australia’s involvement in the War – drawing on hundreds of unpublished sources as well as on interviews with soldiers, politicians, medical practitioners, aid providers, entertainers and Vietnamese people. Ham reconstructs the epic history of a campaign that disfigured a country and divided the world, nations, families and friends.

also appearing at...
103: The Lessons of Vietnam
186: Paul Ham at Campbelltown Library

MICHAEL SEXTON SC (LOCAL)
Michael Sexton SC is Solicitor General for New South Wales. He is the co-author of the Australian text on defamation law as well as the author of several books on Australian history and politics and a novel. He has reviewed books for various journals, including The Sydney Morning Herald for 30 years.

He was a member of the NSW Library Council from 1987 to 1991 and between 1996 and 1998 Chairman of the State Rail Authority and a member of the NSW Public Transport Authority. He is currently a member of the Council of the University of Technology Sydney.

also appearing at...
199: Wibke Bruhns in Conversation