The writer Nguyen Nhuan Hong Phuong said: “I remember, when I left on the march, I transported several small books in my backpack in my hand, published by the publishing house of the People’s Army. In addition to the “prison journal” of Uncle Ho and the two collections of poetry “from that moment” and “the wind” of the poet to Huu, there was also “we are in con co” by Ho Phuong, “The daughter of Ham Rong” of May Vui, “fight at the heart of the enemy” of Thanh Giang … so we were reading them. Then the literary spirit has spread, and my comrades and I are encouraged to write prose and poetry. »»
Not only does the writer Nguyen Nhuan Hong Phuong, but also many soldiers of the time, had small books in their memory the size of one hand, closely associated with their daily life and their fights. These books are also a new idea of the publishing house of the People’s Army. Recall that after the event of August 5, 1964, when the American imperialists intensified their attacks on several localities in the North, the publishing house of the People’s Army organized two delegations of executives to go to the places where the battles of the anti-destructive war were taking place in order to learn about reality. Outsides in the field with many challenges, the vehicle is a personal bicycle, you must bring tools and equipment to repair the vehicle when it has problems.
The manufacturing of books also includes innovations to meet the needs of readers. This period really required books to be published quickly to reach readers in time. The finer the book, the better, the smaller its size, which makes it practical to transport in the soldier’s backpack when it walks over long distances and fights on distant battlefields. This is how the idea of small books of 10×14.5cm was born, comfortably holding in the palm of the hand. This change is not simple, because it requires changing all the regulations and working methods, publishing, presentation to printing, writing … However, with the spirit of overcoming difficulties, everything for the front line, the publishing house of the People’s Army quickly published significant books, accompanying the soldiers on each battlefield.
Compact and pocket books were truly a great source of encouragement and motivation for soldiers during the war of resistance against America to save the country. In this little book, the knowledge and the experience of the fight is quickly transmitted, the appropriate writings encourage the mind, promote ideals and the desire to live and fight beautifully for executives and soldiers.
(According to People’s ArmyĐT )
