HCM CITY  "The Arc of Phạm Xuân Ẩn’s Mysterious Life" is the title of a talk to be given by American author Larry Berman from 7pm to 8.30pm on October 21 at Salon Saigon on 6D Ngô Thời Nhiệm Street in District 3.

The power of Phạm Xuân Ẩn’s story was driven by a dream for the future of Việt Nam. His life spanned colonialism, war, peace and reconciliation, according to Berman, who wrote about Ẩn in the book titled A Perfect Spy.

Berman will discuss a number of quesions: What goes on in the heart of a spy? Can a spy truly have friends? How does a spy decide between loyalty to mission and loyalty to friends? How did the most heralded spy of the war become a key part of the reconciliation process between former enemies, admired by friend and foes alike? What can be learned about the psychology of espionage from the life of Phạm Xuân Ẩn?  VNS