Faulkner County Library set to host author luncheon

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The Faulkner County Library is proud to announce an author appearance, catered luncheon, and discussion with the authors of "A Long, Hard Road to Freedom." The event will take place on July 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St. Petrus Lai Nguyen and Ms. Derlyne Gibson are the co-authors of A Long, Hard Road to Freedom. Sign up is required for those who would like lunch. The Faulkner County Library will provide free catered lunch to the first 40 people who sign up. You may sign up at the circulation desk of the Faulkner County Library or email sarah@fcl.org with the subject heading "Freedom Lunch." Those who do not sign up may attend and bring their own lunch if they would like. The event is free and open to the public.

The library is offering this event in conjunction with the If All Arkansas Read the Same Book program, sponsored by the Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library. Arkansans are encouraged to read and discuss the memoir, A Long, Hard Road to Freedom. Mr. Nguyen and Ms. Gibson will make appearances at libraries throughout Arkansas from June 14 through July 9, 2009. Both authors will appear at the Faulkner County Library on July 8 at 11:30 a.m.

From Vietnam to Arkansas, A Long, Hard Road to Freedom is the story of one man's courageous pursuit of freedom. The book chronicles Nguyen's life in Vietnam, where he served as an interpreter with American forces. When the U.S. forces withdrew, Lai spent time in a Communist prison and later, tried repeatedly to escape the country. He was eventually allowed to leave with his immediate family; and his new life in America included a move to Green Forest, where he and his family found work with Tyson Foods. Co-author Derlyne Gibson's husband Lanny taught Lai's family in classes for English as a Second Language. The book begins with a captivating description of the ceremony in which Lai received his citizenship. The narrative then turns to his early life in the highlands of Vietnam, his education in a French seminary school, and his work with the U.S. forces. His duties often placed him in the line of fire.

For more information on this Faulkner County Library event and/or sign up for the lunch contact Sarah Mattingly, 327-7482 or sarah@fcl.org. The Faulkner County Library's website is www.fcl.org. For additional information on the program If All Arkansas Read the Same Book please visit: http://www.asl.lib.ar.us/arkansasreads2009.html