by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Fire Road, is the story of Kim Phuc Phan Thi, often referred to as the “Napalm Girl”, whose image was splashed across countless magazines and newspapers worldwide during the Vietnam War. Kim’s incredible memoir retells her story from the time she ran naked through the streets of her village, Trang Bang in South Vietnam near Saigon, as napalm bombs burned away her clothing and scorched her skin, to her present day life as an UNESCO ambassador and follower of Jesus.

If you are of a certain age, I’m sure you remember the picture shot June 8, 1972 of nine-year-old Kim. Because I remember that photograph, I wanted to read this book, for somehow, Kim Phuc Phan Thi’s story, is part of my story. Perhaps her story is part of your story as well. Although there were times I had to put this book down, take a deep breath, and walk away, at no time did I ever consider not finishing it. This is a must-read book and I applaud Kim Phuc Phan Thi’s courage in writing it.

At the beginning of her book, Kim states her life centers on receiving God’s gift of peace each day and because of that, if you came to this book in hopes of picking up “weighty opinions on war”, she fears she will disappoint you. Her belief is that a careful study of peace will have a far greater unifying effect than even the most exhaustive excavation of the horrors of war.

To be sure, within the pages of Fire Road you will read of the horrors of war, the destructive effects of war, the price paid for living in a war-torn country, but you will also read of the determination of one woman to find the One True Living God, live in the peace only he can give, and share that peace with others.

There is so much about this book I could write, but perhaps the best thing I can do is suggest you pick up a copy and read this beautiful woman’s story of pain, suffering, loss, determination, courage, and finally the strength to be willing to show her scars in public as a demonstration that fear cannot be present wherever faith is exercised.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below.

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I wish you well.

Sandy

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Tyndale provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.