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Operation Babylift

The incredible story of the inspiring Australian women who rescued hundreds of orphans at the end of the Vietnam War
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( 44 ratings, 8 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Operation Babylift by Ian W. Shaw delves into the historical and military aspects of the daring 1975 evacuation of thousands of orphans from Vietnam in the closing days of the Vietnam War. This book explores the emotional crossfire faced by those who orchestrated and participated in this complex mission, highlighting the humanitarian efforts and the political and logistical challenges of such an unprecedented operation.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in the emotional and historical aspects of military operations, particularly focusing on the dramatic humanitarian efforts during the Vietnam War. The narrative delves into the complexities of adopting war orphans, offering a poignant exploration of hope amidst chaos and celebrating human resilience and compassion.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The dramatic and heart-warming story of the last-minute evacuation of hundreds of orphaned babies from South Vietnam in the dying days of the Vietnam War and of the brave Australian nurses who made it happen.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In late March 1975, as the Vietnam War raged, an Australian voluntary aid worker named Rosemary Taylor approached the Australian Embassy seeking assistance to fly 600 orphans out of Saigon to safety.

Rosemary and Margaret Moses, two former nuns from Adelaide, had spent eight years in Vietnam during the war, building up a complex of nurseries to house war orphans and street waifs as the organisation that built up around them facilitated international adoptions for the children. As the North Vietnamese forces closed in on their nurseries, they needed a plan to evacuate the children, or all their work might count for little...

Based on extensive archival and historical research, and interviews of some of those directly involved in the events described, Operation Babylift details the last month of the Vietnam War from the perspective of the most vulnerable victims of that war: the orphans it created. Through the story of the attempt to save 600 children, we see how a small group of determined women refused to play political games as they tried to remake the lives of a forgotten generation, one child at a time.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Operation Babylift by Ian W. Shaw has received attention for its thorough exploration of the mass evacuation of Vietnamese orphans during the final days of the Vietnam War. Reviewers appreciate the detailed research and poignant storytelling, which shed light on both the geopolitical context and personal stories of those involved. Critics note the emotional depth and historical accuracy, making it a compelling read for those interested in military history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780733642241

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 May 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Illustration: 1 x 8 pages colour illustration

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 420g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Ian W. Shaw is the author of six books: The Bloodbath, On Radji Beach, Glenrowan, The Ghosts of Roebuck Bay, The Rag Tag Fleet and Murder at Dusk. The Bloodbath was nominated for a Victorian Premier's Literary Award and was shortlisted in the Local History category. Ian is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and holds postgraduate degrees from Monash University and the University of Michigan. After ten years as a secondary school teacher, Ian worked in the Commonwealth public service and private enterprise for three decades, and is an expert on security issues. He lives in Canberra.

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