ACCLAIM FOR PHAM DOAN TRANG’S
“Politics for the Common People”
&
“A Handbook for Families of Prisoners”
“‘Politics for the Common People’ is popular indeed because of its practicality. Readers can quickly absorb and apply what they read rather than invest a great deal of time on reading more books and attaining more education before they can realize any of its practical values. It looks like the author has always tried to put every term and concept in a Vietnamese context instead of restricting herself to just presenting concept after concept, theory after theory, as other authors may do. At the end of each chapter, there are further readings providing true Vietnamese stories in a vivid way, which make the whole book more appealing and less tediousas a textbook on political science.”
Vu Thach, Tieng Dan (People’s Voices)“‘Politics for the Common People’ must be listed as one of the very rare books that discusses
Vietnamese politics in earnest from 1975 until now.”
Vi Yen, Manila-based human rights activist
“I buy whatever book that Pham Doan Trang writes. This young author is full of zeal to fightfor a prosperous, civilized and democratic society right in Vietnam, which is very brave ofher…. I find that she hardly blames history; instead she just focuses on the country today without expressing any resentment or hatred. I admire her for that. So, when I heard that‘Politics for the Common People’ is for sales on Amazon, I immediately clicked my mouse to buy me one copy.”
Chanh Nguyen, reader from the U.S.A.“If we want our country to prosper, we should read ‘Politics for the
Common People’.”
Nguyen Truong Chinh, father of wrongfully convicted death-row
prisoner Nguyen Van Chuong
“If you arrest our Doan Trang, we will print thousands of copies of‘Politics for the Common People’ and distribute them for free touniversity students all over the country.”
Huynh Chi Trung, graphic designer in Saigon
“‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’ includes eight chapters. The title and the contents sound long, but the book is really easy to read with a clear and concise language. It introduces basic concepts of law, the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedural Code, etc. It is the book for those whose family members are in jail or will be in jail, as any of us may be at any time under this current regime. It is a companion for those who still live in fear. Perhaps, in addition to‘Politics for the Common People’, ‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’ is a book that any person who loves peace, democracy and freedom should read.”
Nguyen Hong Hai, human rights activist in Saigon
“When we are unaware of politics, we think that it is too complicated and unrelated to us; we leave everything in the hand of ‘our Party and State.’ Only when we read ‘Politics for the Common People’ do we realize that politics is so popular and closely linked to our daily lives. It turns out that for so long, we have had to listen to rhetorics and demagogueries by the government who treat us as if we were slaves. Let me tell you that any word in the book youread is conveying the author’s passion: to raise political awareness for the people so that all of us are more informed and knowledgeable, and less fearful, to fight dictatorship and protect freedom. Let me tell you that each copy of the book that reaches you is worth a great deal of energy, money, tear and even blood of many people.”
Phan Quoc Dien, democracy supporter in Saigon
“At this moment, books like ‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’ are terribly useful forour families as well as the others’. We thank you so much for this precious present. We alwayswish that you stay safe and overcome the pains that the authorities have been inflicting on you.With much love and respect.”
Nguyen Thi Thap, wife of prisoner of conscience Luu Van Vinh
“CRITICISMS” FROM THE OTHER SIDE
“Look at Doan Trang’s most recently published books, from ‘Politics for the Common People’ to ‘On Nonviolent Resistance Techniques’ and ‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’. She is abetting honest, credulous laypeople to take the dangerous path [of resistance] which they are unaware of. ‘Politics for the Common People’ is actually her tacticto incite the common people with little political awareness to join the wave that she created.”
Hoang Le, hoangthinhatle.com
“We can see it clearly, the harm in ‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’. It is the wayPham Doan Trang influences the emotions, motives and behavior of the relatives of prisoners, and directs them, step by step, to follow the dissidents in their anti-state path. With this book, Pham Doan Trang abets people to join anti-state activities, subversion and treason, builds up her forces and incites public disorder and insecurity. Her acts show signs of “making, storing and/or circulating documents and/or cultural products with contents against the SRV” asstipulated in Clause 1, Article 117 [previously Article 88] of the Penal Code.”
Nghe An Times, ngheanthoibao.com
“Pham Doan Trang herself has never concealed her plot to overthrow the administration. Shepublicly opposes social debate, peaceful dialogues and respect of law. She is believed to be one of the leaders in protests creating chaos, aiming to overthrow the SRV. So, her publicationsof ‘Politics for the Common People’, ‘On Nonviolent Resistance Techniques’, and ‘A Handbook for Families of Prisoners’ are nothing but her tools to abet the people to overthrow the government. Remember that in any nation, even in the United States, any activity aimed to overthrow the existing state shall be deemed as damaging national security, and strictlypunished.”
Anonymous, trangthongtintonghop.com
“Because of the harm that these books may have caused, I suggest that the relevant authorities take actions quickly to trace their publishers, prevent the books from being distributed, and revoke all copies that Trang has sold. We must not let any more person deceived and abetted by these anti-state organizations and democracy supporters.”
Toa Son, tiengnoitre.org
GIAY VUN
GREEN TREES
PHAM DOAN TRANG
POLITICS
OF A POLICE STATE
Summary of “Politics for the Common People” and “A Handbook for Families of Prisoners”
LUAT KHOA NXB TU DO
Luat Khoa (Legal Initiative for Vietnam)
luatkhoa.org; facebook.com/luatkhoa.org
a magazine that focuses on political and legal issues in Vietnam E: editor@luatkhoa.org
NXB Tu Do (Liberal Publishing House) nhaxuatbantudo.com; facebook.com/LiberalPublisher samizdat publishing house
E: nhaxuatbantudo@gmail.com
Giay Vun (Scrap Paper)
first samizdat publishing house in Vietnam E: nhaxuatbangiayvun2000@gmail.com
Green Trees
facebook.com/greentreesVN
social movement for environmental protection E: greentrees.vn@gmail.com
Copyright © 2019 by Pham Doan Trang, Luat Khoa, NXB Tu Do, Giay Vun, and Green Trees
All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may be freely used and copied for educational and other non-commercial purposes, provided that any such reproduction is accompanied by an acknowledgement of the publishers.
English editing: Vu Qui Hao Nhien & The 88 Project Cover photo: Pierre La
Cover design: Dang Chi Mai
Typesetting: Nguyen Khanh An
“The more knowledgeable you are as a citizen,
the more fearless you are of the state,
and the less likely you will live under a tyrannical regime.”
“A fearless life is always inspiring and worth living.”
Pham Doan Trang
