Siobhan McHugh
ORAL HISTORIAN
WRITER
DOCUMENTARY-MAKER
Minefields and Miniskirts
Minefields and Miniskirts
Australian Women and the Vietnam War
Siobhan McHugh
Minefields and Miniskirts was re-issued in April, 2005. This long-awaited new edition, revised, updated and re-designed, features many new photographs, both colour and black-and-white, and places the story against the background of the war in Iraq and other contemporary conflicts.
Much has been documented about the young soldiers who went to Vietnam as innocent boysand returned as hollowed-out men. Far less has been written about the women, who mostly went in caring roles rather than to the front line. But the experience was just as defining and haunting for them. They encountered adventure and abuse, romance and rape, carnage and cause for celebration. They also discovered strengths they never knew they had.
Siobhan with Minefields & Miniskirts
Moving, enlightening and sometimes shocking, Minefields and Miniskirts broke new ground when first published in 1993. It tells the gripping and extraordinary real-life stories of thirty-five women who went to Vietnam as nurses, journalists, entertainers, volunteers and consular staff, along with those of wives who waited at home for their shattered husbands, fathers, brothers and sons to return.

For those used to a male view of the Vietnam war, her book is a revelation. D.D McNicoll, The Australian
As shocking as it is riveting and informing. Helen Elliott, Sydney Morning Herald
A book brimming with humanity, fortitude, camaraderie and compassion Rod Moran, Sunday Times, Perth
A fascinating and moving account living, breathing history history at its best. Candida Baker, The Age
Minefields and Miniskirts may be ordered via email for $25 plus $5 P&P. Purchase Minefields and Miniskirts
1st April, 2005
Minefields and Miniskirts re-issued This long-awaited new edition, revised, updated and re-designed, features many new photographs, both colour and black-and-white, and places the story against the background of the war in Iraq and other contemporary conflicts
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10th & 17th April, 2005
Airplay, Radio National - Part 1 / Part 2
Radio adaptation by Terence O'Connell
14th April, 2005
Minefields And Miniskirts: The Play
Adapted for stage by Terence O'Connell
Actor Tracy Mann and veteran's wife Jan Cullen
Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre will take a travelling production of the play, which had a sell-out season at Melbourne's Playbox Theatre in July 2004, to many regional centres around Australia.
Actor Tracy Mann, and Jan Cullen, a veteran's wife, whose story informs the character Tracy plays