Books and Brews Podcast Episode #31: Sandy Hanna

Books and Brews Podcast

Sandy Hanna is an award-winning author for her memoir “The Ignorance of Bliss: An American Kid in Saigon,” a true coming-of-age story about growing up in Vietnam in the early 60s. She current resides in Lambertville, New Jersey. As a military BRAT (British Regiment Attached Transfer) her story reveals a turbulent time where politics and intrigue resided between plot and counterplot and where, as children, she and her siblings lived in the continuous present - perhaps the only way children can live.

Ms. Hanna graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois with a BA in Interdisciplinary Programs in Science and Literature and University of Massachusetts with a MED in the Biology of Cognition. Her background is one of working with children and designing learning environment for museums, theme parks, and communities. However, she sees herself as a life-time storyteller and artist.

Sandyhanna.net

Sandy Readings:

• Witnessing the Coup – 9:35
• Baby Powder & Hershey Bars – 28:27
• Brink's Bomb – 43:44

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

• Maximus Colossal IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Company (paired to Witnessing the Coup) – 7:34
• Young's Double Chocolate Stout, Eagle Brewery (paired to Baby Powder & Hershey Bars) – 25:46
• Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (paired to Brink’s Bomb) – 40:24

Harvey Weissbanger Recipe

• 1 oz. Galliano
• 2 oz. Orange Juice
• 6 oz. Weissbier

Fill a collins glass with ice. Add the Galliano and orange juice. Top with Weissbier. Garnish with orange peel.

Interview Highlights:

• Did you take it for granted you survived a shooting spree? – 15:34
• The Dragon Lady and Colonel Sam's Expose – 19:12
• Did your brother's basketball start the Vietnam War? – 23:26
• Everything in life lies in acceptance – 35:26
• Military kids taking control in an out-of-control world – 36:58
• Military transport to Saigon – 51:05

COMING NEXT MONTH: Christine Madline Ellsworth, poet and 1st time novelist

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology
• Laura will be signing books Sunday, November 7, 2 to 5 pm at Maple Grove Lutheran Church, 9251 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN. Several other authors from Night Writers will also be signing books.

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.