They include Ngo Quyen (898-944), the first kingof Vietnam's Ngo Dynasty. In the year 938 King Ngo Quyen successfullydefeated the Southern Han in the well-known Bach Dang battle field. Another general mentioned in the book is Ton That Thuyet(1839-1913), the leading mandarin of Emperor Tu Duc of the NguyenDynasty. Thuyet fought strongly against the French colonialists and helped launched the revolutionary Can Vuong movement. Others generals described include Hoang Van Thai, who had greatinfluence on the formation of the Vietnamese army. He played a big rolein resisting the French and later the Americans. The generals were chosen from four eras - ancient, medieval, recent and modern. "The books depict the roles of the generals who fought for nationalindependence and freedom," said researcher, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Diep, whoco-wrote two of the three books. The second book of theseries, Vo Nguyen Giap Dai Tuong cua Nhan Dan (Vo Nguyen Giap, ThePeople's General) features in detail the life and career of the lateGeneral Vo Nguyen Giap. It was co-written by Diep andresearcher Nguyen Phuc Giac Hai from the Vietnamese Research Centre forPotential Human Abilities. The 100-page book should satisfythe expectations of those who want to learn more about the general, whodied a year ago, said Dr. Diep, head of the Centre for Translation,Cultural and Technological Scientific Services, which worked with TanViet Books to present the book. "With more than 316 photos,the book also contains a great volume of information in picturedescribing the final moments of the General," researcher Diep said. "It also gathers assessments of the general from numerousnewspapers and magazines in the world, such as Le Monde, Le Figaro, TheWashington Post, the New York Time." Researcher Diep said the books would be precious material for Vietnamese film-makers. The third book of the series, Nhung Tran Khong Chien Tren Bau TroiVietnam (1965-1975) Nhin Tu Hai Phia (Air Battles in Vietnamese Skies1965-1975, A Look from Two Sides) is the first of its kind published inVietnam. "Generations of veteran Vietnamese pilots nurturedthe book," the book's leading author, Lieutenant-general Nguyen Sy Hung,said at a press conference yesterday. "There were thousandsof air battles over Vietnam. The fiercest occurred on April 28, 1975.This is why we find it essential to have a book featuring the aircombats in detail," said Hung who joined six veteran pilots who wrotethe book. According to the retired pilot, the book washistory-based, objective, humanistic, and opens new angles in the studyof military science. "We closely follow the historical factsto present the truth, no matter who won. We also used books published inthe United States and Russia to provide an objective overview of thewar," Hung said. "The books are not only historical annals, they feature famous figures and heroic pilots from the US and Vietnam. "One American soldier returned to Vietnam in 2012 on the 40thanniversary of the 12 days and nights of the Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu airbattle. Before he left for Vietnam, his mother asked him tosearch for the man who shot down his airplane 40 years ago to convey herthanks. She was grateful that he had shot down the plane but left herson alive,” Hung said. Hung said the authors planned to alsopublish the book in English.-VNA