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Boat Baby

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Boat Baby

By: Vicky Nguyen
Narrated by: Vicky Nguyen
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In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love.

Starting in 1975, Vietnam’s “boat people”—desperate families seeking freedom—fled the Communist government and violence in their country any way they could, usually by boat across the South China Sea. Vicky Nguyen and her family were among them. Attacked at sea by pirates before reaching a refugee camp in Malaysia, Vicky’s family survived on rations and waited months until they were sponsored to go to America.

But deciding to leave and start a new life in a new country is half the story…figuring out how to be American is the other. Boat Baby is Vicky’s memoir of growing up in America with unconventional Vietnamese parents who didn’t always know how to bridge the cultural gaps. It’s a childhood filled with misadventures and misunderstandings, from almost stabbing the neighborhood racist with a butter knife to getting caught stealing Cosmo in the hope of learning Do You Really Think You Know Everything About Sex?

Vicky’s parents approached life with the attitude, “Why not us?” In the face of prejudice, they taught her to be gritty and resilient, skills Vicky used as she combatted stereotyping throughout her career, fending off the question “Aren’t you Connie Chung?” to become a leading Asian American journalist on television. She delivers a uniquely transparent account of her life, revealing how she negotiated her salary in a competitive industry, the challenges of starting a family, and the struggle to be a dutiful daughter.

Funny, nostalgic, and poignant, Boat Baby is a testament to the messy glue that bonds a family. In the tradition of We Are Dreamers by Simu Liu and Dear Girls by Ali Wong, Vicky Nguyen offers an optimistic story full of heart that illuminates the promise of what America can be. Biographies & Memoirs Cultural & Regional Women Heartfelt Inspiring Funny Witty China

Critic reviews

"Award-winning NBC News Anchor and Chief Consumer Investigative Correspondent Vicky Nguyen delivers her memoir with the same passion and rapid-fire delivery that she brings to her television work. This audiobook offers great insight into the talented journalist. Born in Saigon, Nguyen fled to a Malaysian refugee camp with her family, finally immigrating to the U.S., where she continues to experience the pain of racism. Her ambitious quest for each TV job is carefully balanced with her concern for how her family will be affected as she climbs the career ladder. Nguyen expresses palpable admiration for her father’s work ethic and her mother’s dedication to family, along with her husband Brian’s love, all of which shaped her into the independent career woman, daughter, wife, and mother she is today."
Inspiring Immigrant Story • Authentic Personal Journey • Witty Narration • Accessible Vignette Format • Engaging Delivery

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
This book is relevant and inspiring to those who’ve against all odds said Why Not! While my story is not the same as hers the pull up your boot straps and rely on yourself to go where and do what you want to be doing. YOU are the only one responsible for your happiness. Hustle and grit will always get you moving in the direction you see seek. The book was incredible and inspiring in so many ways. Excellent!

Why Not Thinking can change your life

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Hearing her voice tell her own story makes it even more special! Her parents’ story & my parents story have lots of overlap. These stories need to be shared! It is an Integral part of the USA’s story.
Anyone who thinks that military action in other parts of the world doesn’t affect us… think again.
Thank you Vicky for sharing a part of yourself with the rest of us!

Inspiring & uplifting.

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There was nothing that I didn’t like about this book. It was well written I loved hearing about another person’s journey and life. Wanted even more….

Up and positive

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This was an excellent book! Very interesting life story and honest family dynamics. I loved this book!

I like that the author read her own book.

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Seemed “reporting” rather than “feeling.” Interesting as an autobiography. A good read. I recommend it.

Story

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