Michael E Tolle

Michael E. Tolle has lived a variety of experiences, which are reflected in the books he has written.

Michael's latest book is "A Spear Carrier in Viet Nam; Memoir of an American Civilian in Country 1967, and 1970-72." The book is a Viet Nam memoir like no other, the result of a unique combination of personal and academic experiences.

While earning a B.S.F.S. (Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service) at Georgetown University (awarded in 1969), Michael spent the summer of 1967 as a volunteer for the World Relief Commission, delivering commodities to refugees in Viet Nam.

His experience led him to return there. After graduating college, he joined the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an Assistant Relief/Rehabilitation Advisor to the Government of Viet Nam (GVN).

In 1969, Michael began a year-long program in the Vietnamese language at Roslyn, Virginia, followed by two years in Viet Nam. He spent the first year in a province resettling Vietnamese refugees expelled from Cambodia, then a year in Saigon. After becoming Deputy Chief of the Refugee Division of the CORDS War Victims Directorate, Michael was responsible for the day-to-day operations in support of refugees throughout the country. Michael left Viet Nam and government service in 1972.

In 1983, in support of his wife’s career, Michael became the primary caregiver for their two sons. After they were established in school, He began graduate studies at Villanova University, where he earned a Masters Degree in History, and then attended Temple University, seeking a Ph.D. He completed all requirements for the degree except the dissertation.

After leaving the Ph.D. program, Michael obtained positions as an Instructor in History at Delaware County Community College and Montgomery County Community College.

He is also the author of "What Killed Downtown? Norristown, Pennsylvania, From Main Street to the Malls," and "They've Been Down So Long, Getting Up's Still On Their Minds," both studies of the classic mill towns in Pennsylvania's lower Schuylkill Valley.

In early 2006, his wife accepted a job offer that required a move to San Francisco. He resides there today, retired, writing and helping to care for his granddaughter.