Tan Pham came to New Zealand from Vietnam as a student in the early 70s. He graduated from the University of Auckland, worked for many years in NZ, the Pacific and South East Asia on infrastructure projects. Tan reads widely, is a keen historical traveller, skier, golfer and tramper. The interest in history came from his years living in the UK and travelling in Europe. He enjoys telling stories and this book is a culmination of decades-long interest in history particularly Vietnamese history where he spent his childhood, learned many tales about the country's wars and heroes.