" Biography of a Woman is a must on everyone's to-be-read list. Susan Garrod-Schuster paints luscious images with words in this emotional true story of former royalty. Chau's escape from Vietnam as a boat person in the 70's, is a remarkable story of love, loss, and resilience. It resonates long after the last page is turned. I was truly moved by Chau's story!" Donna Houghton, Canadian Author "In Biography of a Woman, Susan Garrod-Schuster chronicles the incredible tale of a woman's journey from plight to triumph. The rich, evocative prose will leave you breathless, the story unforgettable. An absolute must-read!" Claudette Manzanares, Canadian Author " Biography of a Woman is a gently woven tale that transported me to a unique time and place in history. An inspiring story! Chau draws on her divine feminine strength to escape the terror of military dictatorship. A triumph of spirit!" Beverley Cunningham, Canadian Author Châu's true story is every woman's story . For all of us pass through childhood as passive recipients... shaped by our culture, our people and our moment in history. In Châu's case, life began in 1954, in an elegant, wealthy, secure household with defined cultural expectations, servants to meet every need, and a strong Buddhist tradition for guidance. She lived in the royal city of Huế, Vietnam, in the heart of Emperor Bảo Đại's extended family. Here she received cultural lessons passed down from her mother who had grown up in the royal palace under the guidance of the Dowager Empress Đức Từ Cung. At age 14 Châu's gentle transition into young adulthood was smashed by the Tết Offensive in 1968, bringing drastic, painful changes into her family life. But she continued to be a passive recipient of events created by her moment in history. The war became a constant influence through her teen-aged years, taking away her childhood home, her beloved university studies, and eventually her father, her brother, and her first love. By 21, with the fall of Saigon, she had a choice to make. She could continue to be a passive recipient of the new Communist world around her, or she could move to active participant in decisions that would shape her own future. Châu in the manner of women before her, joins with her mother to plan her escape to freedom... this is the choice ...passive recipient or active participant. This is every woman's story.