What is the setting of Peace Is Every Step by Nhat Hanh?

This book, as a self-help book and instructional manual for mindful living, does not have a particular setting. However, many of the stories within the teachings focus on areas of Vietnam following the war, where the landscape and people of the area were traumatized by bombings and death. This setting allows the reader to understand Hanh's roots and the atmosphere in which Hanh's teachings were developed. Plum Village in France also provides the setting for several stories, which is a retreat built by Hanh, surrounded by vineyards and wheat fields. The setting assists the reader in focusing on nature and present life in the process of mindful living. Finally, the United States is used in other stories, often in a negative context. While the use of this setting in such a light is difficult for Western readers, the concepts presented require a developed country for comparison against underdeveloped countries. Hanh's experiences in the United States provide such a comparison easily, and allow the reader to see the vast differences in lifestyles and goals between the two areas.