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Robert's early years were spent as a Geordie in South Shields, England, living in poverty on a working class street. World War II broke out when he was three – making him witness to the forceful German bombing campaign overhead. At nine he emigrated to America with his mother. After high school, Robert signed up for three years in the US Navy, closely followed by Cornell University to join the undergraduate 'Aggies' studying Biological & Agricultural Science. After graduation he began his career as a County Agricultural Agent in Upstate New York. From 1966 to 1987, he worked as an International Agricultural Advisor and Consultant. He received the USAID's Meritorious Honour Award for outstanding contributions to the Accelerated Rice Production Programme and the USA Medal of Civilian Service in Vietnam. In 1987, he died unexpectedly in New York City.
There are three Don't Break My Rice Bowl collaborators. With Patricia and Justine Rykiel in the UK and Beth Jackson in the USA, they worked together across the miles – and time zones – to bring this forgotten manuscript to life. See the co-author profiles, Patricia Rykiel and Beth Jackson, and Illustrator profile, Justine Rykiel to find out more.
Editorial Reviews
'What a brilliant, moving and vivid "through the looking glass" book this is. An irresistible read; beautiful, cover to cover.'
—Gareth J. Mitchell, Presenter, BBC World Service
‘Don’t Break My Rice Bowl is an inspiring story – showing one man’s dedication to helping others – at considerable personal cost. It is also instructive – revealing the limits of such dedication. I can only imagine what it meant to Robert Dodd’s daughter to find this “hidden treasure”.’
—Dr Kenneth Greene, Retired Chair of Social Sciences & History Department, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, USA
'From the fundamentals of getting food on the table, to the role and impact of fathers, from ambitions to benevolence, not to mention a "Godless" war, there is something for everyone. If I were back in the classroom, I'd teach this book in a heartbeat. It would encourage a plethora of classroom conversation!'
—Nicholas M. Guarracino, Editor and former English Teacher
'To the thousands of histories, memoirs, and novels of America's Vietnam Experience, this is a laudable addition, a descriptive, fast-paced story told from the point of view, not of a combatant, journalist or citizen, but by a civilian agricultural expert inspired by the miracle of rice. Eddie represents the America and the Americans who really wanted to make life better for the Vietnamese. This thought-provoking book deserves a place in the light (not in a dark drawer from where it came!). It is about survival, and so much more than a story of war.'
—Dr Peter J. Woolley, American Political Scientist
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