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Getting Out of Saigon

How a 27-Year-Old Banker Saved 113 Vietnamese Civilians
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( 601 ratings, 99 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
Getting Out of Saigon by Ralph White is a gripping memoir detailing the author's harrowing experiences during the final days of the Vietnam War. This book offers a first-hand account of the dramatic evacuation of American and Vietnamese families amidst the chaos and tension in Saigon. Ralph White provides an insightful and personal perspective on this turbulent historical moment, highlighting the courage and resilience of those involved.
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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 gripping memoir provides a firsthand account of courage and resilience during the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War. You might enjoy this book if you are interested in personal narratives that explore themes of survival, humanitarian efforts, and the complexities of international conflicts. The author's vivid storytelling illuminates a dramatic historical moment, making it appealing to history enthusiasts and those intrigued by tales of extraordinary bravery.

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Ralph White tells the remarkable story of his desperate effort as a young banker in Saigon during the final weeks before the city fell to the North Vietnamese to save the entire staff of the Saigon branch of Chase Manhattan bank and their families -- Argo meets The Fall of Saigon.

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
A “captivating” (The Washington Post) true story of “courage, resolve, and determination” (The Christian Science Monitor), author Ralph White’s successful effort to save nearly the entire staff of the Saigon branch of Chase Manhattan bank and their families before the city fell to the North Vietnamese Army.

In April 1975, Ralph White was asked by his boss to transfer from the Bangkok branch of the Chase Manhattan Bank to the Saigon Branch. He was tasked with closing the branch if and when it appeared that Saigon would fall to the North Vietnamese army and ensure the safety of the senior Vietnamese employees.

But when he arrived, he realized the situation in Saigon was far more perilous than he had imagined. The senior staff members there urged him to evacuate the entire staff of the branch and their families, which was far more than he was authorized to do. Quickly he realized that no one would be safe when the city fell, and it was no longer a question of whether to evacuate but how.

Getting Out of Saigon is an “edge-of-your-seat” (Oprah Daily) story of a city on the eve of destruction and the colourful characters who respond differently to impending doom. It’s a remarkable account of one man’s quest to save innocent lives not because he was ordered but because it was the right thing to do.

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?

Reviews of Getting Out of Saigon praise Ralph White's memoir as a compelling and gripping account of his daring rescue of Vietnamese civilians before the fall of Saigon. Critics highlight White's courage, ingenuity, and growth from adventurer to compassionate humanitarian. The book is noted for its engaging storytelling, blending humour with the tense atmosphere of the Vietnam War, and is recommended for readers who appreciate historical accounts of bravery and resilience.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781982195175

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 May 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Simon & Schuster

Illustration: 1x8-pg b&w photo insert; 2-3 maps t-o

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 481g

Pages: 320

About the Author

In 1973, Ralph White joined the Chase Manhattan Bank and worked as a business development officer in Thailand and Hong Kong; during his tenure in Thailand, he was temporarily assigned to Vietnam to close the bank’s Saigon branch as the city fell. Upon return to Chase’s New York headquarters in 1981, he worked in the International Strategic Planning Division and was a Vice President when he left. White subsequently worked as a business development officer with three foreign banks and earned an MBA at Columbia University. In 2009, he founded the Columbia Fiction Foundry, a writing workshop for alumni of Columbia University. Having served as the organization’s president for its first decade, White now serves as its Chairman. He lives in New York City and Litchfield, Connecticut.

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