For the Miami Valley Today

TIPP CITY — Local Miami County author and Tippecanoe High School graduate Rob Brundrett recently released a historical fiction novel entitled, “Girl from the Racetrack.” The Tipp City Historical Museum will be holding a book signing for the book at the Museum from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.

Brundrett’s first book, “Vietnam on my Mind,” consisted of 10 stories based on actual events in Vietnam. The new book is a work of fiction, published by Orange Frazer Press in Wilmington, and is about a Vietnamese girl and an American serviceman who met during the war. The girl is a racehorse trainer and jockey. The French Colonial government had brought horse racing to Vietnam in the 1930s when they built the large racetrack facility on the outskirts of Saigon and began importing French horses for thoroughbred style racing. According to Brundrett, he always thought it would make a great setting for a novel.

The story takes place within the setting of horse racing and the Vietnam War, but the story line is primarily about the relationship of the two people and how their love flourished despite the impediments of war as they together faced enemy shelling, the Easter Offensive and escape from enemy forces. During the Vietnam War, it was not uncommon for American G.I’s to meet and marry Vietnamese girls, particularly if the GI had an assignment requiring him to deal with the local population, such as military advisors who travelled throughout the country. Often these relationships were strained by racist views of others and by allegiance to one’s own country and family. The story is full of colorful characters and surprising slices of life in Vietnam during the war.

The book may be purchased during the book signing at the museum, as well as locally from Browse Awhile Books in Tipp City, New And Olde Pages Book Shoppe in Englewood and Jay and Mary’s Book Center in Troy. It’s also available on line at Amazon and at www.orangefrazer.com.