THE REBIRTH OF HOPE
My Journey from Vietnam War Child to American Citizen
by
Sau Le Hudecek
Genre: Memoir / Inspirational
Publisher: Texas Christian University Press
Date of Publication: June 15, 2017
Number of Pages: 160
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Born in a demilitarized zone during the Vietnam War to a Vietnamese mother and American soldier, Sau Le arrived in the United States as a young woman with only twenty dollars in her pocket. Though bullied and abused since childhood, she nevertheless came to her new homeland armed with courage and determined to build a decent life for herself, her infant son, and her traumatized mother. This is the story of how she overcame every conceivable hurdle—significant culture shock, a daunting language barrier, serious illness, heartbreak, and betrayal—to become a landlord, a successful business owner, a joyous wife and mom, and a woman blessed with generous, loyal friends. She describes an arduous journey, both physical and emotional, from a place of terror and utter despair to a life overflowing with love and prosperity. Ultimately, this is a story of hope, something Sau Le thought she’d lost long ago in the minefields of Vietnam. Her goal is both to uplift and to remind everyone born on American soil that anything in this land is possible for those willing to put dedication, faith, and passion to work.
Praise for The Rebirth of Hope:
“Sau Le has an innate abundance of beauty, wisdom, loyalty and dignity which led her to overcome unbelievable challenges and fully realize her dream in America. Thus proving once again that adversity builds character. I couldn’t put it down.”
—Dan Jenkins, bestselling author of Semi-Tough
“Sau Le lifted her head and walked through years of hard work and determination, inspiring other women along the way! Every word of her personal journey was written to remind all of us!”
—Robin Sanders, Sanders Travel Agency
“An inspiring story of a Vietnam refugee’s journey to achieve the ‘American Dream.’ This book is a lesson for everyone.”
—Martin C. Bowen, financial executive
“To have written this remarkable story is one more example of the focus and tenacity that Sau Le Hudecek has shown in achieving her previous goals. You will remember this gripping tale of resilience and courage.”
—Gail Williamson Rawl
“A truly inspirational story of a fearless person who overcame unbelievable odds to make a better life and obtain the ‘American dream.’”
—Janie Beggs
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“You cannot spend time being jealous of what others have.
You search out your opportunities and are grateful when you find them.”
This memoir, The Rebirth of Hope by Sau Le Hudecek, is absolutely inspirational. Sau’s early life in Vietnam is heartbreaking because of poverty, the loss of the one sibling who didn’t shun her, and the bullying and discrimination because her appearance didn’t conform to the standard. Because her father is an African American soldier who was never in her life and because her mother refused to explain anything to her, Sau endured unspeakable cruelty and ostracism from family and strangers alike during her first two decades of life.
But did all that negativity keep Sau down and cause her to wallow in self pity? No it did not! Even before Sau came to the United States through the American Homecoming Act and her status as an Amerasian, she had already developed and cultivated a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed, even though the Vietnamese government would always deny her any upward mobility.
Sau’s journey to the United States with her mother, husband, and son, and her long, hard road of assimilation into the American culture and lifestyle show that the American Dream is attainable through hard work, sacrifices, and a whole lot of fortitude. I am in awe of this woman’s never-quit attitude and ability to meet challenges head on. Even when life tells her No, she says Yes. In Sau’s own words, “When I know what needs to be done, you better get out of my way.”
In this memoir, Sau shows us that her life has been difficult and fraught with indignities, setbacks, worry, and frustration, but it has also been about laughter (that Thanksgiving dinner and money in tinfoil packets!), self discovery, accomplishments, family (through thick and thin), and of course love.
Through Sau’s eyes as she approached and embraced her American identity, we see how much we (as American citizens from birth or from early childhood) often take what we have here for granted and how often we allow opportunities to slip through our fingers simply because they are too difficult or because we are looking the other way. Sau found and pursued her passion for helping others feel good about themselves and their appearance, and she discovered a knack for investing and property ownership. Along the way, Sau found friendship, acceptance, independence, and upward mobility.
Sau Le Hudecek is a perfect example of how hard work, perseverance, faith in God, and a grateful heart can open that door to the American Dream and a life of opportunity and joy.
Enter the Giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Rebirth of Hope: My Journey from Vietnam War Child to American Citizen by Sau Le Hudecek.
Sau Le Hudecek owns a successful salon in Fort Worth, Texas, while still serving her own elite clientele. In 1993, she arrived in the United States at the age of 22 and was sworn in as a citizen in 2001. She lives with her family in Granbury enjoying the sunsets from their home on the lake.
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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
| 6/7 | Author Interview | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 6/8 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
| 6/9 | Scrapbook 1 | The Page Unbound |
| 6/10 | Review | Syd Savvy |
| 6/11 | Promo | Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books |
| 6/12 | Excerpt | Missus Gonzo |
| 6/13 | Review | Hall Ways Blog |
| 6/14 | Scrapbook 2 | Texas Book Lover |
| 6/15 | Promo | CGB Blog Tours |
| 6/16 | Review | Forgotten Winds |
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