Unpacking *Ricky: A Life Worth Sharing* — A Journey through History and Personal Reflection
The University of Guam Press kicked off **2025 with an unforgettable literary event**, unveiling *Ricky: A Life Worth Sharing* to an overflowing audience at Government House in Agana Heights on January 27. This deeply engaging autobiography, co-authored by Ricardo J. Bordallo and his former press secretary, Catherine Sablan Gault, presents a vivid and articulate narrative that draws readers into a world shaped by personal and historical challenges.
A Life Defined by History
This captivating volume chronicles Bordallo’s life from **childhood** through **adolescence** and into the formative years of his political career. As a reader with a penchant for history, biography, and compelling storytelling, I found that this book not only recounts the personal tale of a boy growing up in Guam but also explores the broader **socio-political landscape** of the island before, during, and after World War II.
Historical Context and Personal Narrative
*Ricky: A Life Worth Sharing* provides invaluable insights into the relationship between **Guam’s native people** and the **U.S. colonial government**, contextualizing both past and present connections. The autobiography is structured in three distinct parts, each revealing different phases of Bordallo’s life.
Part One: The Land of the CHamoru
In the first section, titled “**The Land of the CHamoru: Guam Before World War II**,” we encounter eight chapters that introduce us to the **Bordallo family dynamics** and their intricate operations in both business and politics. The chapter titles, complete with evocative subtitles, engage readers right from the start. For instance, chapter one, aptly dubbed “**You’ve always been the one to cause a stir**,” implies a sense of vibrancy and foreshadows the impactful life that follows.
This section covers Bordallo’s early education, childhood work experiences, and the profound changes brought by the arrival of the **Panama Clippers**. More than just a personal account, it also sheds light on the **inequities faced** by the people of Guam under U.S. military governance, such as the demeaning notion of being labeled “**just a native**.”
Part Two: Innocence in a Bloody Arena
The second part, “**Innocence in a Bloody Arena: The Occupation of Guam**,” explores the grisly realities faced by the Bordallo family during the Japanese occupation. Readers will find themselves moved by tales of **kindness amid chaos** as well as the everyday struggles that defined life in **Hagatña**. Through Ricky’s adventures, we witness the courage and resourcefulness he employed to safeguard his family and their resources.
Part Three: The American Re-Occupation of Guam
In the concluding segment, “**The American Re-Occupation of Guam**,” Bordallo recounts his experiences following the war—loss, education in the U.S., and the burgeoning of his political career, including a bold run for office against his own father in 1952. This final chapter sets the stage for the **next volume**, which will delve deeper into Bordallo’s extensive political journey.
Engaging and Accessible Narrative Style
What makes *Ricky: A Life Worth Sharing* particularly special is its engaging tone, making readers feel as though they are part of the intimate conversations between Bordallo and his family, friends, and adversaries. Gault emphasized at the book launch that **many insights were shaped during discussions** with Bordallo, transforming the initial 1,200-page manuscript into a concise yet impactful 356-page read. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss.
Where to Find *Ricky: A Life Worth Sharing*
This illuminating autobiography is readily available for those eager to dive into Bordallo’s life and insights. Whether online at UOG Press, NYU Press, or **Amazon**, you can also find it physically at local bookstores and UOG Press for just **$35**. Don’t miss out on this chance to embrace a life steeped in history and personal triumph.
Paulette M. Coulter, a former educator and instructor at the University of Guam, continues her passion for literature as she dives into the narratives that shape our understanding of the world. For further exploration of Micronesian literature, visit UOG Press.
