LETTERS FROM 'NAM: A Family Memoir

Book Description

John and Tom Knox fought in Vietnam during the years 1968 through 1970.In their letters, they vividly depict the lives of two combat infantry Marines, from recruit training to the war itself. At home, their parents - proud but anxious - experienced every mother and father's nightmare: the knock at the door and the telegram advising that their son has been gravely wounded. Letters from 'Nam paints a sharply realized portrait of one American family in time of war - from the home front to the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam.

America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975 with Poster

Average customer rating:

Concise, Systematic, Written Well; 4.5 stars
A Great Account of American Grand Strategy in Vietnam
One of the best
One of the enduring images
Not complete, but an interesting read

America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975 with Poster
George C Herring
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Major Problems in the History of the Vietnam War: Documents and Essays (Major Problems in American History Series)
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Present Tense: The United States Since 1945

ASIN: 0072536187

Book Description

Comprehensive yet concise, America’s Longest War provides a complete and balanced history of the Vietnam War. It is not mainly a military history, but seeks to integrate military, diplomatic, and political factors in order to clarify America’s involvement and ultimate failure in Vietnam. While it focuses on the American side of the equation, it provides sufficient consideration of the Vietnamese side to make the events comprehensible.

Customer Reviews:

Concise, Systematic, Written Well; 4.5 stars.......2007-06-28

This is a concise but systematic overview and narrative of the Vietnam war. Evenhanded and drawing on a remarkably rich secondary literature, America's Longest War covers American involvement in Vietnam from the immediate post-WWII period up to the Clinton administration. This is mainly the story of American policy making and the American experience. While Herring does deal with the South Vietnamese experience, there is relatively little analysis of North Vietnamese experience and decision making. This is unavoidable due to the lack of material from North Vietnam.
Herring presents our involvment in Vietnam as the logical, though not inevitable, result of the basic containment strategy of the Cold War. He describes very well the gradual entanglement in Vietnam across multiple Presidential administrations, culminating in Johnson's decision to commit major numbers of American ground troops. Herring does very well also in describing the diplomatic history and its interaction with domestic American politics. He does quite well at the basic political history of South Vietnam and provides a nice overview of the basic military history.
Herring's basic point is that the containment logic formed the lens through information about Vietnam was seen. The containment logic was essentially universally accepted in the USA and even became a crucial part of domestic politics. There were very few efforts, made usually by a small number of people and generally rebuffed, to critically examine the idea that deterring a Communist takeover in South Vietnam was really essential to American security. In Herring's presentation, our involvement in Vietnam takes on a tragic dimension.
Its impossible to read this book today and avoid comparisons with the Iraq morass. Indeed, its striking how often the Vietnam experience resonates with our contemporary problems. For example, here is Herring discussing American efforts at pacification in the mid-1960s, "The fundamental problem was the absence of security.' Or how about, "Members of Congress found it impossible to vote against fund for American forces in the field and hesitated to challenge the President directly, but many who has firmly backed him at first came out openly against him." I was surprised at how often aspects of the Vietnam experience have emerged in Iraq.

A Great Account of American Grand Strategy in Vietnam.......2007-02-04

Like many people here, I read this book for a college class concerned with providing an explanation of the numerous questions that arise whenever one ponders America in Vietnam, like why it was there, and why it lost. Any student or curious reader should find this work a great tool for this task.

The book is fairly short, numbering less than 400 pages. By that restraint alone, no reader should expect a thorough, voluminous exposition on every aspect of the war akin to Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, or a textbook for that matter. It's a piece on political history with a general thesis, numerous recurring themes, and plenty of information to back everything up.

The thesis is that the containment strategy America adopted around the Korean War, and its perceiving Vietnam as a strategic door to all of Southeast Asia, prevented each successive president from leaving Vietnam to the wolves and forced each one to progressively raise American stakes n the region. Numerous other variables--some consistent to all presidencies, like fear of facing the same political bloodletting as Truman got over "losing" China in 1949; some specific to the president, like JFK's need to take a stand somewhere after negotiating on Laos, and after the Berlin wall was erected--accompanied this grand one, but the central theme of this book draws a vivid picture of proud Cold Warriors refusing to back down and unwilling to commit entirely, hoping to bluff out an enemy who had already gone all in.

Of course, because it is a work with a point to prove rather than a huge collection of unfiltered facts, the reader must be wary of buying into Herring's perspective without private review of his logic. That's true for every book of this sort, however, and for what it's worth, Herring makes a very convincing case.

On the technical side of things, this book could have done more to centralize its presentation of thematic events. Since the author shifts between historical narrative and analysis, the latter could have summaries and reminders of recurring concepts on the margins. As it is, the reader has to discover themes like "US arrogance" or "governmental deception" by himself and note their recurrence without any assistance from Herring. Doing this isn't the standard for most books, though (the only one I can think off that does this is Landmark Thucydides), I can't criticize the book for not following up on these suggestions.

One of the best.......2007-01-09

I read this book in graduate school and thought that it gave the best start to finish depiction of the war. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Vietnam war.

One of the enduring images.......2005-01-21

is the network of bicyclists -- children, women and men -- who expertly navigated the region during the American campaigns. A foot bridge blown up was instantly restored. Supplies were expertly moved about. It was their whole backyard.

Not complete, but an interesting read.......2004-09-18

Vietnam is one of the most critical and debated subjects In the History of the United States during the twentieth century. Numerous books have been written detailing the only war lost by the American military in its brief two hundred year existence. In America's Longest War George Herring examines the critical periods of American involvement Vietnam. As one reference point, the author researched the presidential libraries, first hand accounts, the official Pentagon Papers and other resources to provide a comprehensive look at the American involvement in Vietnam beginning in 1950.
Herring's essay begins with the First Indochinese war in 1950 as he documents the major factors involved and how America's Longest War escalated in to the struggle that would affect America long after the troops were gone. Each chapter comprises a specific aspect of the conflict ranging from Presidential agreements between Diem and Kennedy, the concept of search and destroy, and ending with Nixon's "Peace with Honor" withdrawal. Clearly drawn maps in the text and a separate foldout map are included supplying the reader with a frame of reference for troop movements, battle locations and routes of the Ho Chi Minh trail. Charts of military strength and casualties assist the reading with understanding impact the American presence had in any given year.
Herring compiles and exhibits his information in an easy to read format allowing the reader to follow the sometimes confusing and often controversial events in Vietnam and the U.S. The author does not concentrate solely on the war or events in Vietnam, but alludes to issues such as support or lack of it. Photos at the beginning of each chapter and throughout help place the reader in the era and closer to the events than plain words on a page would attain. The book concludes with a pronunciation guide for the Vietnamese language and a section of additional readings for further research and understanding that include the author's sources for quotes. Even though Herring provides an abundance of peer sources, he also quotes other works that he produced to help substantiate the work presented here.
Herring's contribution is well thought out, concise and researched. Throughout the essay, the author is able to limit his bias in one of the most controversial subjects in American history which allows the reader to form their own opinion based on facts supplied. While it is not an overall history encompassing every aspect of the war, it does provide a solid starting point as it introduces man of the key representatives present during this time. America's Longest War centers more on the American foreign policy and the diplomatic aspect instead of specific battles or campaigns. Readers interested in strategy of the military or accounts of the conflict should choose from the selections in the Suggested Reading section for more in depth information.

SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam

Average customer rating:

Slide-line observer
Good insight into military actions
This is what soldiering is about...
Some incredible stories of bravery and adventure
Fighting Soldiers From The Sky...

SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam
John Plaster
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG
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Blackjack-34

ASIN: 0451195086

Book Description

Major John L. Plaster, a three-tour veteran of Vietnam tells the story of the most highly classified United States covert operatives to serve in the war: The Studies and Observations Group, code-named SOG. Comprised ofvolunteers from such elite military units as the Army's Green Berets, the USAF Air Commandos, and Navy SEALs, SOG agents answered directly to the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs, with some missions requiring approval from the White House. Now for the first time, the dangerous assignments of this top-secret unit can at last be revealed!

Customer Reviews:

Slide-line observer.......2007-08-13

Excellent! As a Huey pilot who participated in a number of SOG insertions and extractions out of Quan Tri (CCN), it was interesting to read what was happening in between. At the time, we only told "were to put them and when and where to pick them up". We were not told their mission.... we did not have a need to know. I can tell you it was at times very exciting. There is nothing in the world like seeing tracers flying by or having the crew telling you we are taking hits. After my Huey was shot down, it was these guys who clipped me into the harness for my rope ride out. They were also the first faces that I saw when I awoke two days later in a hospital bed. They are truly the bravest of the brave... I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know what war is really about.

Good insight into military actions.......2007-05-19

A very comprehensive account of until recently unknown military activities in Viet Nam. I purchased the book because it had references to my brother-in-law, Walter Shumate and it provided me with some insight on his role in this action.

This is what soldiering is about..........2007-05-15

John L. Plaster is an excellent writer. Furthermore, his chronicling of SOG was a real eye-opener. I almost put this book down, but once I got past the first two chapters, I was there in the jungle.

Talk about Mission Impossible. From passive and active wire taps, snatch n' grabs, recon, and desperate defenses, one will get a little of everything here. These guys are definately masters of their craft. Professional, efficient, and tough.

This book blows all others away and tears open a gaping hole in the status quo, revealing the shadowy and seductive call of the S.O.G. genre, Americas most elite.

-H.G.

Some incredible stories of bravery and adventure.......2007-04-30

MAJ John L. Plaster has written an incredible book. Enhanced by the fact that the stories come from someone who did three tours himself as a SOG recon soldier, Plaster gives a vivid recounting of the missions and activities of the Special Operations Group (later renamed the Studies and Observation Group to make its mission less obvious to the enemy).

SOG retells the stories of multiple Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross winners (as well as a few stories of deserved MoH winners who for whatever reason weren't awarded).

The only weakness of the book that one could find may be the lack of context for the missions undertaken by SOG. Plaster writes with either a lot of assumed knowledge on the side of his readers or else intentionally ignores these political and social considerations, reverting to the role of a Special Forces warrior with no time for politics. Whichever is the case that should in no way discourage someone from taking up this book. It is well worth the time.

Fighting Soldiers From The Sky..........2007-01-29

Having studied under a former college professor who is an ex-SOG member mentioned in Plaster's sequel, "Secret Commandos," I was eager to discover the nature of SOG operations during the Vietnam War, and was left in awe by the insane risks that these men took everytime they went out on a mission with their Nung or Montagnard counterparts. Plaster said it himself that after running an excessive number of missions, it became an oddity that a SOG member was still alive. But then again, these soldiers were forced to confront their own mortality on a regular basis, cheating death on one mission while losing a brother-in-arms on the next. After reading the stories of tremendous courage and selflessness that these men displayed in the face of annihilation by an unforgiveable and numerically superior enemy, readers must wonder what kind of individuals could not only stomach the intensity described by Plaster, but actually succeed in accomplishing their missions and leading their teams to safety. Having known a SOG veteran, I can honestly say that even at his old age, he is one of the few men I have ever met in my life who I would follow to hell and back.

Average customer rating:

Courageous Type of Warfare
Very pleased with product. Great book
Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills
Taste of What War is Like
Must Read

Marine Sniper
Charles W. Henderson
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Silent Warrior: The Marine Sniper's Story Vietnam Continues
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ASIN: 0425103552

Book Description

Marine Sniper is not only one of the most astonishing true stories to emerge from the Vietnam War, it has become a classic of military nonfiction, inspiring a sequel, Silent Warrior: The Marine Sniper's Vietnam Story Continues.

There have been many Marines. There have been many marksmen. But there has only been one Sergeant Carlos Hathcock. A legend in the Marine ranks, Hathcock stalked the Viet Cong behind enemy lines-on their own ground. And each time he emerged from the jungle having done his duty. His record is one of the finest in military history, with 93 confirmed kills.

This is the story of a simple man who endured incredible dangers and hardships for his country and his Corps. These are the missions that have made Carlos Hathcock a legend in the brotherhood of Marines.

"Highly readable." (Publishers Weekly)

Customer Reviews:

Courageous Type of Warfare.......2007-09-24

This book is about Carlos Hathcock, the distinguished Marine Corp sniper of the Vietnam War. Honored in this country, with 93 confirmed enemy kills and having gained notoriety among the enemy as White Feather, because that is what adorned his cap and gained him a bounty on his head. The book is a good portrayal of what it takes to become proficient at sniper warfare, along with its effectiveness in warfare. Although often considered a cowardly method of warfare, the reader will pick up that Hathcock's time in the bush stalking the enemy's position days on end to obtain the perfect shot, but not too close to make escape impossible is a personally courageous act. The book highlights one incident where Hathcock goes one on one with an equally savvy Viet Cong sniper and another four-day stalk within a Viet Cong base camp to bring down a North Vietnamese General. The author's portrayal of Hathcock's banter is not all that humble when discussing himself, but this man can also walk the walk. It is a little sad about the adjustment problems Hathcock has to civilian life. Most civilian jobs pale in comparison to hunting and being hunted by humans., The book is a fast light read with some heart pounding entertainment. The book could have used some more sniper accounts.

Very pleased with product. Great book.......2007-09-13

Im very happy with this transaction and would do business with this seller again.The book is great and worth the money.Its a must to anyone that enjoys reading about snipers or vietnam

Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills.......2007-06-25

Very good book...I was in Vietnam in May of '67 till May of '68....This book is very very real !!!War is a varied mixture of total boredom and the mundane to the highest Adrenalin rush one can ever imagine !!!Many things described in this book present that...

Taste of What War is Like.......2007-06-08

This book gives you an idea of what it is like to be the hunter as well as the huntee. Brings home the brutality of war.

Must Read.......2007-03-08

Henderson does a great job telling Hathcock's story. I couldn't put this book down. If Vietnam interests you, you have to read this book. Also, Silent Warrior the sequal is great to read as well because it tells a lot of the stories in this book more in depth because Henderson went and found out more info about certain battles. even going as far as interviewing NVA soldiers that were stalked by Hatchcock. One of my favorite books ever. Like the Military Channel? read this book!!!!!!!!

A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

Average customer rating:

Refreshing for its different point of view - compelling read
Must Read
How David Slew the giant Goliath of America!
Comprehensive Analysis with Minor Flaws
Interesting Perspective of a Confusing War

A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam
Neil Sheehan
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Vietnam War | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Southeast Asia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0679724141
Release Date: 1989-09-19

Amazon.com

This passionate, epic account of the Vietnam War centers on Lt. Col. John Paul Vann, whose story illuminates America's failures and disillusionment in Southeast Asia. Vann was a field adviser to the army when American involvement was just beginning. He quickly became appalled at the corruption of the South Vietnamese regime, their incompetence in fighting the Communists, and their brutal alienation of their own people. Finding his superiors too blinded by political lies to understand that the war was being thrown away, he secretly briefed reporters on what was really happening. One of those reporters was Neil Sheehan. This definitive expose on why America lost the war won the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction in 1989.

Book Description

Sheehan's tragic biography of John Paul Vann is also a sweeping history of America's seduction, entrapment and disillusionment in Vietnam.

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing for its different point of view - compelling read.......2007-03-15

As a student of history with a passion for military history (especially of the Vietnam War), I was very excited about reading this book and very satisfied overall.

To tell the story of John Paul Vann, from both the good and bad sides, requires that the book explore the Vietnam War history as well. Sheehan carefully balances depth of material with a general theme of a historical overview. It makes for a compulsive story, as the "big picture" historical events unravel and de-tangle as Vann's life and role is explored.

The story of Vann is as compelling as any run-of-the-mill Vietnam War service memoire and the historical overview is compelling without being dry or cumbersome. Most refreshing is Sheehan's point of reference, being neither politican nor soldier, it makes this history worth reading if only for the different point of view.

The story of Vann itself is very interesting for any student of the Vietnam War, but I'd also highly recommended this book for anyone who wants to read a good history of the Vietnam War from a non-military/non-politician point of view. Those who are serving or have served would do well to check this out, especially in light of current events. There are some great lessons in here. For the non-military, it's a great overview of the Vietnam War and gives a window of insight on reporting and political ideas during a war such as Vietnam with disturbing parallels to the present.

Must Read.......2006-11-11

If you want to understand Iraq, or war in the modern age in general, I think you must read this book. Most wars are simply unwinnable -- as that term is commonly misunderstood in Hollywood terms. WWI and WWII were the exceptions not the rule. Where an when you must fight an unwinnable war, it must be by necessity and with a clearly defined objective and exit strategy. This book illustrates these lessons vividly through the life, courage and devotion of a little known and less understood and altogether mystifying and facinating true American hero. Even if you are not so interested in the politics and the present day relevance, it's still one great read.

How David Slew the giant Goliath of America!.......2006-10-22

Again, I read this book for insight into the ferocity of the Asian warriors in modern times since the Book of Revelation prophesies of a giant world war III with Asia in the Tribuation from which we are not far.
The Japanese in World War II were reported to have chosen to commit suicide than be captured in war!
Also I grew up in the 60s' with coverage fo the Viet Nam War on the nightly news. And when the US retreated from Viet Nam in disgrace, it was a mystery to me.
This book makes it plain why the US lost the Viet Nam war. Even when I was in the Army as a Private in 1977, a sergeant was teaching about motion sensors that they shot into the forrests and attempted to detect the movenment of Viet Cong guerellas. Then he started mocking about how dumb and primitave these querallas were. He said they were armed with hatchets and that they used the hatchets to hack the motion sensors apart. He thought that was funny to him. Yet he forgot that it was AMERICA THAT LOST THE WAR and retreated in disgrace!
Viet Nam was such a small impoverished nation. They did not have helicopter gun ships, an air force or B-52 bombers; yet with courage and dooged resistance they defeated the mighty American army there! Kind of like now in Iraq.
Viet Nam looked like an American comedy of errors. For instance, Sheehan had written how the US Army had discarded 125,000 obselete infantry rifles when changing over to the M-16. And how the Viet Cong got alold of them and used them to kill Americans.
The Vietnamese government was unjust and corrupt, not even allowing their own peasant soldiers to recieve treatment in their field hospitals!
Then I read about the American and ARVN Ranger Batallions that employed torture to interrogate their prisons with techniques that sounded worse than those used by Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich!
I believe that God was actually on the side of the Viet Cong to permit them to win such an upset against overwhelming odds. It had said in the Psalms where one righteous man can out 100 evil men to flight! And this apparently was what took place in the Viet Nam war.
Major televangelists in America are still whining about how America had lost the Viet Nam war. They just can't figure it out. But if they woud read this lenghty book they would find out just how come!
I say it was time well spent on gaining wisdom and insight into an issue that divided the nation in the 60's and 70's. Or as the Bible might say, "it is better to go to a house of mouring than a house of feasting because death is the fate of us all!
This book seems to universal that I can just about imagine a Viet Nam style guerella war going on right now in America, too! Compare the 500 pound car bomb that attacked the US Embassy in Saigon to Timothy McVeigh blowing up the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Or when Colin Furgeson had massacred a Long Island commuter train in New York. TIME magazine had quoted one of the survivors as having said that this is the kind of things that went on in Viet Nam! Or a report on FRONTLINE on the Meth Amphetamine crisis inh America which showed DEA agents scouring the countryside in helicopters looking for old barns and building which might conceal clandestine Meth labs. Its like Viet Nam is here already! When comparing the guerella attacks in America with Viet Nam, all the American guerellas seem to lack is organiztion into some sort of Army. They all seem to be sporadic and unconnected.
The way read this book, I think that Viet Nam and Korea both were celestial "chess traps" that our arrongant millitaristic government walked into. And obviously the consequences were disastrous for America and its Imperialist pride. America mindlessly walked into a booby trap and was badly injured by it. I have even heard the late J. Vernon McGee from Radio Honduras HRVN say that God judged America in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam for all the misfortunes to Americans that these wars caused.
Looking back at America's paranoid foreign policy and how Kissinger thought America's "outer rim of vulnerablity" extended 10,000 away? Or the failed "domino theory". I just had to laugh at this book at time about the mistakes of our stupid self-defeating arrogant government. Of course, I laugh at what goes on in Iraq as well!It would seem that America has to dominate and control the entire world to feel safe at night?
When I had made my essay entry into the History Book club around 1989 on ADVISE THE PRESIDENT ON HISTORY, I gained inspiration from this book to say that America is headed for a Russian Revolution because the poor aren't getting enough help from the government and the rich oppress the poor here! I know that from practical experience! God does take the side of the oppressed!

Comprehensive Analysis with Minor Flaws.......2006-01-29

Neil Sheehan has managed to create a comprehensive and engaging examination of the Vietnam War in A Bright and Shining Lie. And after many years (16+) researching the subject and interviewing the key figures in the war, Sheehan ought to be commended for both a thoroughness that is rare and an effort that went beyond the call of duty.

****BEWARE SPOILERS AHEAD****

I will start with the positive. If you are looking for a fairly comprehensive look at the Vietnam War, and wouldn't mind tagging along side one of the more famous American soldiers (John Paul Vann), then look no further. In movie scene fashion, Sheehan begins with Vann's funeral, then takes the reader back in time to the beginning of the war. Thus, the first couple chapters - "Going to War" and "Antecedents to a Confrontation" - introduce some of the main characters and also cover the birth of the American commitment to the Vietnam War. The book builds up to a powerful climax in the chapter entitled "The Battle of Ap Bac." This chapter provides insight into the problems experienced during the early years of the conflict, and offers a "would-have-been" solution. "The Battle of Ap Bac" was one of the best chapters in the book - well worth the read. In fact, from what I saw online, The University of Richmond used to offer a class that would have its students do a full analysis of this chapter of Sheehan's work...fairly impressive! Chapter IV is a summary of John Paul's fight against the early-war military policies instituted by Maj. Gen. William Westmoreland. Of course, up to this point the book offers an unstained characterization of John Paul Vann - a characterization that is to be questioned as his outlook changes and his private life is exposed. In "Antecedents to the Man," the fifth chapter, Sheehan embarks on a journey to discover John Paul Vann's interior through an exposé of his childhood and subsequent adulterous pursuits - an ineradicable image of John Paul sleeping with a teenage girl is revealed as Sheehan describes the rape allegations that almost led to John Paul being court-martialed from the Army. The final chapters bring the reader back to Vietnam for the Jungle War years of 1965 - 1968, and the bitter end from 1969 - 1975. It is amazing how well John Paul Vann fits into the historical breakdown of the war. Sheehan was definitely right to pick Vann as his main character. Further, Sheehan's knowledge of principal figures and power politics is astonishing, and it isn't surprising that he spent sixteen years researching and writing this book! Being a Vietnam journalist, he offers a unique perspective given his enduring presence in Vietnam for the events he covers.

Having properly laid out the bones of the book, I wish to mention some small gripes that come to mind after working my way through this immense volume. I got to the end of the book and it hit me right away: what the heck happened to Douglas Ramsey (Vann's right-hand-man in his AID post in Hau Nghia who was captured by Viet Cong guerillas and taken through some of the most brutal jungles imaginable)? Close to the end of the book, page 787 to be exact, we hear that Ramsey has entered "his seventh and last prison," but whether he died or was rescued is never mentioned. It was rather short-sided not to wrap up that loose end on page 787 when he easily could have. Additionally, the will that Vann manages to scratch on some paper prior to his helicopter crash is described thoroughly on pages 771-72, 775, and 786; yet Sheehan fails to tell the reader how it was discovered, and why it was disregarded when it was discovered. Furthermore, we are never told what happened to Vann's would-be second wife Annie and their child Thuy Van. Not to mention the lack of coverage of the wars final three years - Sheehan opts to leave that to the imagination since Vann died on October 9, 1972 and the war ended three years later on April 30, 1975.

Nevertheless, my biggest gripe is that this book could have been properly wrapped up in 400 pages or less. The twofold proportion of the book adds little to its content - merely 400 pages of Sheehan\Vann insight into indiscriminate war tactics by the American and ARVN military systems. This wouldn't matter much if the insight was useful, but Sheehan negates the insight he gives in the first half of the book with a 180 degree approach in the later half of the book. Granted, Vann changed his position after the Tet Offensive in January of 1968, but Sheehan still doesn't have the right to point the finger both ways - if anything you might as well just call the war into question at that point. And by the way, calling the war into question is one of the few positions which eludes a full scale analysis in Sheehan's book, but any serious minded reader is doing exactly that by page 790...so why not just state that position on page 1 and carry a single sided view throughout the book?

Finally, I should mention that the author uses the word "Catholic" as liberally as any journalist, which isn't surprising - the main stream media knows little to nothing about Catholicism and almost always uses a biased approach to analyze it. Unfortunately Sheehan doesn't even offer a biased approach; instead he slanders the Catholic religion by using the word "Catholic" in a derogatory sense throughout the book (unnecessary to say the least!).

All in all, even though A Bright and Shining Lie has its flaws, it is a serious book that should be taken seriously by anyone interested in the Vietnam War. I give it three stars for comprehensive scholarship and an unmatched insider's perspective.

Interesting Perspective of a Confusing War.......2006-01-26

It's generally accepted that Vietnam was the first real television war, where images from the front lines were constantly bombarding the senses of the American people. This means Vietnam in all likelihood started the complex and convoluted mind games that governments have been required to play since. In order to meet your aims, as a government, you need to convince your public that the ends justify the means. Showing dead children on television makes that a difficult message to swallow. Enter the Age of Flak.

The reason I open my review with that pre-caveat is because this book is just one version of the US war in Vietnam. There are countless versions retold in book form, and for me to say this one or that one is head and shoulders above or below some other version would be specious, at best, ridiculous at worst. What I can say is exactly what I title this review, this book is an interesting perspective of a confusing war. There are many other perspectives, the vast majority I have never read.

Make no mistake about it, Bright Shining Lie is a great book. It reads well, it's informative, in-depth, encompassing - all you can ask for in a history book. But for me, it's not quite 5 star material. Many people love this book, and indeed, it won a Pulitzer Prize in 1989 with good reason. But there's something missing in the pages, something a little short of a true classic 5 star book. I will now attempt to explain what that is, not entirely sure I can do that.

The story is in-depth. I'm not about to use the word complete, since a book on Vietnam would have to be 38,000 pages long to be complete, and even then it might come up short. My main problem is the meandering path it leads you down from time to time. I know this approach appeals to some, especially those who dole out the Pulitzer Prizes (see Guns Germs and Steel for another example). Personally, I found the book sometimes lacked focus, and certain sections tended to bog down, suffering from knowing exactly where it was going.

The research was solid, otherwise the book would have suffered. Sheehan had such a wealth of first-hand experience it only follows he would have this aspect nailed. But then, there are instances when too much background is revealed. Having known Vann, Sheehan probably felt the correlation was clear. As a reader, I was occasionally left wondering where the connection was. This leads me to use the word meandering. Again, some readers enjoy the complete analysis, no matter how small and long the adjacent path leads. Personally, I felt too much of the text was a side-story, and not enough discussion was aligned with the aim of the book.

Perhaps there is another contention: The aim of the book. In the second half, John Paul Vann occupies a much smaller role than he had in the beginning. The story, and of course the war being described, took on a life outside of Vann. This is fine. I have no delusions that the war was about one man, especially when he wasn't in the country for some of it. But the title of the book, and how that played into what I was reading...I don't know. Sometimes it was too scattered for my liking. I often wondered where the text was going, why it was going there. Sometimes the questions were answered, other times not.

Some other reviews cite this as a left-wing propaganda piece, which I think is laughable. Other reviews cite the fact that the man, John Paul Vann, was by and large a lousy excuse for a husband and person. While almost entirely true, that doesn't leave the text any less engrossing. Indeed, it probably gives you an idea where Vann's edge came from, and what kind of person he was. He liked to get his way, and generally stopped at nothing to make that happen. But knowing the subject matter, you know how well that worked out.

The book also touches on aspects not directly associated with Vann, which is to be expected in a book about war. The mindset of the native participants is explored, and it gives people like me - with insufficient knowledge about Vietnam - a better understanding of why things went the way they did. I believe this is why people call it liberal. But really, it explains so much more than some off-handed comment that tows the liberal-conservative dichotomy our nation feels the need to be a slave to. Far beyond that, the explanatory power of some of the observations is outstanding.

The book is really good, no doubt. But overall, I found it dragged too often. The book is large enough that you're bound to have low spots - it comes with the territory. But I think it happened too often. I think the book would have been better if some of the sections were shorter, or cut out altogether. Yet, despite these complaints - and I should note these are not condemnations of the book by any stretch - I enjoyed it immensely. It kept the pages turning and, for the most part, kept me interested. For one really good perspective of this confusing war, it is well worth the read.

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty : A United States Marine Corps, Khe Sanh,Vietnam ,1968 (My Name Is America)

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The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty
My Name Is America the (Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty)
Touching and hard to put down
A Mighty Mouse In Vietnam
A stark potrait of a young man's wartime experience

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty : A United States Marine Corps, Khe Sanh,Vietnam ,1968 (My Name Is America)
Ellen Emerson White
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439148901

Book Description

An agonizing dilemma plagues these brother-sister diarists. He is a Marine stationed in Vietnam. She is at home in America, far away from her brother's war zone, fighting for peace. As the marine writes in his journal about his experiences as a soldier, fighting an enemy he can't see, his siter seeks peace. In these gripping installments of DEAR AMERICA and MY NAME IS AMERICA, Ellen Emerson White captures the unique time period when America was at war both in a far-off place, and at home where adults and children alike marched in the streets for peace and freedo. Poignant and comlex, these two characters will give readers glimpse into perhaps the most tumultuous time in modern American history.

Customer Reviews:

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty.......2007-05-14

Not only did my 13 year old son love this book, but so did his father and I. My father was a Marine in the Vietnam War the same year that this is written about. It gave my family an insight into what my father went through and how proud we should all be of our soldiers. I'll be ordering more from this series.

My Name Is America the (Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty).......2007-04-01

The name of the book I read is My Name Is America the (Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty) . This book is about this man who is a round his late 20's. His name is Patrick Seamus. He is in the United States Marine Corps . This young man is fighting in the Khe Sanh ,Vietnam war ,in 1968. This book talks about how life was in the war of 1968. This book also talks about what they had to sacerfics for us. It also talks about how hard it is to leave there family. I can relate to how hard it must have been for him to be away from his family because my Dad is in the Navy and we have had separations like that. In his journal he also talks about the living conditions. They had to sleep in tents, hammocks, it was pretty unsanitary, they had little privacy , and the food was so awful . If it is as awful as they describe it I would be sick to my stomach. But out there I guess you learn to adapt.
I thought this book was very exciting ,and for all the people who like a good book that gives you a good cry .Or if your thinking about joining the U.S Marins I would say you should read this book . Most of the books I like are very detailed. I could swear that I was their I could see every detail .

I think part of the reason why I could picture it so well is the main character talks to you like your one of the guys .That helps a lot .plus during some of the book I felt like I was his best friend or his therapists. You can all ways tell how he feels. I really like that because I could sort of picture his face expressions.

Rating this book between 1 star and 5stars I give it 5 stars . The reasons I gave it this score is because the descriptions in the book paint a picture in your mind, the story itself is exiting, the characters are funny in the story ,and it was a perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day.

So if you like excitement , action, humor, mixed in with some sadness but happy at the same time this book is the book for you .So don't put reading this book at the bottom of your to do list, put it at the top of it .

Emily L.

Touching and hard to put down.......2007-02-19

I bought this book for my son who is 10 and interested in history. He has had a hard time finding books that will keep his interest. This book was not only interesting but informative and gave us a first hand look at what the Vietnam war was really like from this young soldiers perspective. I read much of the book and was touched by Patrick Seamus' story. It was hard to put down.

A Mighty Mouse In Vietnam.......2007-01-26

What could be worse than being stuck in Vietnam during Christmas? In The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty, Patrick is an eighteen year old Marine in Vietnam during 1968. He unfortunately, arrives in Vietnam on Christmas. Patrick (nicknamed Mighty Mouse by his squad) finds the war is not as easy as he thought it would be. Death is around every corner, and it's coming from not just the enemy, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), but also the dangerous terrain and wildlife.

One of the parts of this book I greatly enjoyed was the action and the suspense. In every chapter there is always action. An example of the action is, Patrick is out on patrol and sees movement off to his side. He quickly turns around and sees an object launch itself from a thick grove of bamboo. Thinking fast, as the object comes shooting out of the trees, he shoots it. As it turns out, the object was a huge cobra with its neck puffed out, its fangs extended, and the cobra had been aiming at one of Patrick's friends, Apollo. One example of the suspense is when Patrick is on another patrol. His squad stumbles upon an enemy fort, deep in the jungle. Fortunately, there is no enemy there, but Patrick does finds a pan of rice that is still hot.

The other part of this book I greatly enjoyed was the book was very realistic. Many sad things happen such as friends dying, and these were all real people and they all really did die. Also the way the book was written it makes you feel as if you're there.

During the tine I read this book, I could hardly put it down. I always wanted to know what was going to happen to Patrick and his friends. I loved this book and I know you will to.

A stark potrait of a young man's wartime experience.......2006-11-30

Eighteen-year-old Patrick Flaherty turns down college to join the Marines in Vietnam, quickly discovering that war is nothing like he imagined.

Throughout his tour, Patrick keeps a journal, chronicling the daily horrors, hunger, dirt and camaraderie with his fellow soldiers. All the while, he is unconsciously just biding his time until something terrible occurs, knowing it's the outcome for most of the soldiers...

If you enjoy this book, you might like the "Vietnam" series by the same author, only under her pen name Zack Emerson. There are a few tiny cross-overs into this book, and the overall topic and style are similar.

My Lai: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)

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My Lai: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)
James S. Olson , and Randy Roberts
Manufacturer: Bedford/St. Martin's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312142277

America's Lost War: Vietnam: 1945-1975 (American History Series (Arlington Heights, Ill.).)

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Outstanding summation of the war
A Look at the Vietnam War Without Agenda or Bias

America's Lost War: Vietnam: 1945-1975 (American History Series (Arlington Heights, Ill.).)
Charles E. Neu
Manufacturer: Harlan Davidson
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0882952323

Book Description

In college and high school classrooms across the United States, students display a keen interest in knowing more about what they rightly sense was a pivotal event in the recent past, one that brought a sea change in the life of the nation.

In a long-awaited alternative to the lengthy and overly expensive texts on the Vietnam War, Charles Neu presents America's Lost War, a balanced, lively narrative account of that tragic conflict, one that sweeps across the whole time-span of the war and explores American, Vietnamese, and international perspectives. Recreating the physical and psychological landscape of the war, Neu fluidly describes policy disputes—among leaders of both the United States and North Vietnam—as well as individual policy makers, battles, and military realities, tracing the legacy of the "Vietnam" phenomenon that shapes American domestic politics and elections, as well as foreign relations, to the present day. 320 pages. Includes Maps, Three Photographic Essays, A Guide to Acronyms, Bibliographical Essay, and Index.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding summation of the war.......2006-08-31

An objective, succinct and fair summation of the war in Vietnam as experienced from all sides. Neu uses numerous books as a reference for quotations from many of those in power during this difficult time for America - and for Vietnam.

The book also has many photographs leading up to and during the war, including some of the most famous images of that terrible time: the street execution of a Viet Cong officer by the South Vietnamese Police Chief, and the villagers running from a napalm strike (accidentally dropped by a South Vietnamese aircraft).

I am pleased to add my comments to the review by Dick Stratton. I flew F-4's for the Marine Corps in Vietnam in 1968/69, but fortunately did not experience the horror of the Hoa Lo prison as did he.

A Look at the Vietnam War Without Agenda or Bias.......2005-01-23

In his "Preface and Acknowledgements" Professor Neu mentions the fact that Vietnam Veterans were invited to lecture at his Brown University undergraduate class: "History 158: America's Longest War: The United States in Vietnam".

I was one of those veterans participating 1991 to 1993 at a University noted for it's anti-war activies and the expulsion of the ROTC from its campus. I was never advised on what to say, how to say it or what not to say. I was given an entire session to tell my story as a participant in the war and a prisoner or war. I was treated by student and faculty alike with intersest, courtesy and respect.

This illustration of inclusiveness and even-handedness is important in understanding the value of this volume. As in the classroom so too in this volume, all sides of the story of the Vietnam War have been presented: South Vietnamese, North Vietnamese, military, politicians, anti-war activitists and the media all have equal time in having their positions presented.

This book will be an excellent tool for use in the classroom and in the professional library of all who participated in or lived through the Vietnam era. Of particular value is the "Biographical Essay" at the end of the book. Additionally it just a plain 'good read' for all.

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Still one the best general studies of the Vietnam War
Still worth reading

America in Vietnam
Guenter Lewy
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195027329

Book Description

Based on a variety of classified military records, Lewy provides the first systematic analysis of the course of the Vietnam War, the reasons for the failure of American strategy and tactics, and the causes of the final collapse of South Vietnam.

Customer Reviews:

Still one the best general studies of the Vietnam War.......2005-07-23

Lewy's history of the war in Indochina is balanced and judicious.

He is not an apologist for the war, but rather highly critical. He does, however, demolish the arguments of the Left that held the U.S. responsible for genocide, quasi-, de facto-genocide and war crimes as policy. He refutes these and other such claims in what are, in my opinion, perhaps the three most important chapters: "Military Tactics and the Law of War", "Terrorism, Counterinsurgency and Genocide", and "Atrocities: Fact and Fiction."

Lewy takes apart the assertions of the pro-Communist Left on their own terms, carefully citing international war crimes treaties and conventions, to show how such "legal experts" as Prof. Richard Falk have misinterpreted and ignored crucial sections of such conventions.

He studiously compiles statistics on many U.S. atrocities and in no way tries to downplay their severity. However, his study of NVA/VC show that terrorism was methodicol, highly organized and an integral part of Communist strategy. They "rallied" the "support" of the population through a major program of murder. 37,000 people (80% civilian - typically school teachers and other potential anti-Communist leaders at the village level) were killed. Individuals were tortured and disembowled in the town square as their family and friends were forced to watch. Such acts had the desired effect of terrorizing the peasants into passive support. While holding Hue for 26 days in 1968, the NVA murdered and kidnapped some 5,800 civilians (many of whom were buried alive). A favorite NVA tactic was to shell civilian areas of major cities and massive throngs of civilian refugees fleeing South.

The important distinction Lewy makes is that while American atrocities were perpetrated at the small-unit level by a few individuals who then tried to cover-up their crimes, Communist atrocities were official strategy, committed on a wide-scale. Those who committed them did not cover their tracks because they were in no danger of being penalized.

Lewy also carefully examines the existing data regarding the proportion of African-American casualties to the number of African-Americans of draft age; the level of drug use among US soldiers; the incidence of racial violence among US soldiers; and the social condition of Vietnam veterans. The results are very interesting. Some myths are demolished.

I don't mean to imply that the whole book is about war crimes and so forth. This is a general history that broadly asseses the major aspects of the war from the political to the military to the social.

This is one of the best general introductions to the war out there. Another excellent starting point, though less comprehensive and more polemical, is Podhoretz's "Why We Were In Vietnam."

Still worth reading.......2003-10-23

Though this book was published in 1978, only three years after Vietnam fell to the Communists, this book says some insightful things about the war in Vietnam and makes many valid points. Lewy demonstrates the superficiality of the more extreme opponents of the war--those who accused the US of violating international law but were blind to the horrors involved in the actions of North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. This is a well-researched and balanced study of the issues which engaged the interest of the world while the war was going on, and is illuminating and full of important information.

Vietnam: The Necessary War: A Reinterpretation of America's Most Disastrous Military Conflict

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A serious topic makes for a delightful reading
Ultimately Flawed Analysis
Lind Leads Us from the Road to Vietnam to the Road to Iraq
This book is a must have for serious historians
Necessary reading on America's role in the world

Vietnam: The Necessary War: A Reinterpretation of America's Most Disastrous Military Conflict
Michael Lind
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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America in Vietnam

ASIN: 0684870274

Amazon.com

This original and provocative book is certain to raise emotions. Its justification of America's war in Southeast Asia directly contradicts other recent studies, such as Fredrik Logevall's Choosing War and Robert S. McNamara's Argument Without End. Michael Lind, Washington Editor for Harper's magazine, examines the American military response to North Vietnamese aggression; American credibility during the cold war; domestic politics; and constitutional aspects of the conflict. He places the war's center of gravity in American public opinion rather than in the population of South Vietnam or the North Vietnamese army. In doing so, he can be blunt, as when he claims that members of the Western left who made excuses for the North Vietnamese land-reform terror were "apologists for state-sponsored genocide." One of his conclusions is that if the United States is to continue to be the dominant world power, "then American soldiers must learn to swim in quagmires." Viewing America's Southeast Asian adventure in the context of the cold war, Lind regards it not as a crime, betrayal, or tragic error, but as an unavoidable confrontation. Whether you agree with his arguments, Vietnam: The Necessary War intelligently, often vehemently, challenges preconceptions that surround the most controversial military conflict in American history. --John Stevenson

Book Description

What went wrong in Vietnam?

Michael Lind casts new light on one of the most contentious episodes in American history in this controversial bestseller.

In this groundgreaking reinterpretation of America's most disatrous and controversial war, Michael Lind demolishes enduring myths and put the Vietnam War in its proper context -- as part of the global conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. Lind reveals the deep cultural divisions within the United States that made the Cold War consensus so fragile and explains how and why American public support for the war in Indochina declined. Even more stunning is his provacative argument that the United States failed in Vietnam because the military establishment did not adapt to the demands of what before 1968 had been largely a guerrilla war.

In an era when the United States often finds itself embroiled in prolonged and difficult conflicts in places like Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Iraq, Lind offers a sobering cautionary tale to Ameicans of all political viewpoints.

Customer Reviews:

A serious topic makes for a delightful reading.......2007-08-09

Michael Lind has to be either the leading American intellectual alive or, a close competitor for that honor. With this lucid book, I was more than persuaded - indeed swept - into giving credence to Lind's arguments about the importance of the American involvement in Vietnam. Mr Lind draws from many sources in order to bolster his artfully weaved thesis. This book has history, analysis, and even some conjectures that are highly plausible. I am sure this book will become the standard against which similar books will be compared. In case that you are curious, here is Lind's verdict: "The Vietnam War was a just, constitutional and necessary proxy war in the Third World War that was waged by methods that were often counterproductive and sometimes arguably immoral. The war had to be fought in order to preserve the military and diplomatic credibility of the United States in the Cold War, ...."

Ultimately Flawed Analysis.......2007-04-15

Michael Lind's "Vietnam: The Necessary War" argues that the Indochina conflict was a crucial and unavoidable struggle within the larger framework of the Cold War. Central to his thesis, Lind maintains that the proxy-war nature of the Cold War--the small clashes that the two superpowers used to determine their resolve and credibility--often had only symbolic importance (Vietnam) and really no geopolitical significance. Moreover, Lind asserts that the American leadership had only a certain window of opportunity in proxy wars, based directly on public reaction to casualties, to achieve US objectives. Lind places that casualty rate at 15-20,000 lives; after that, he argues, presidential administrations ran the risk of losing domestic support for the overall Cold War struggle.
Examining the significance of Indochina and, with complete support of the Communist-monolith idea, (the belief the Kremlin controlled all Communist nations/revolutionaries) is where Lind's analysis ultimately fails. His chapters take a broad approach in an attempt to rebut what he sees as the accepted liberal/Left dogma that has solidified the historical approach to Vietnam (he does, to a lesser degree, also critique hawkish/conservative approaches, such as the "military was not allowed to win the war by the politicians" argument that other research has already debunked). Each chapter feels more like a collection of short essays that never quite gel. One of the most compelling arguments is his examination of the reasons, regardless of political party alignment, of the South's continued support for military excursions and Greater New England's traditional opposition to war. Even here, however, the analysis seems largely general and somewhat detached from the specificity of the Cold War/Vietnam conflict. In each chapter's section, especially the critiques of domestic/Left opposition to the Vietnam War, Lind seeks to debunk "myths" about Vietnam. Each of these sections could be the basis of an entire research project. Lind, however, feels justified in giving usually one example, and devoting a couple of pages to the (very important) topic.
His assertions in these sections often rely upon "if, then" qualifications, based on similar events in the Korea War or World War II, to justify his points about Vietnam. These absolutist terms, such as the answer to his question about the legitimacy of the Diem regime in South Vietnam can be paraphrased as such: "if the US was justified in supporting Syngman Rhee in South Korea, it was all right to support Ngo Dinh Diem." This approach ignores events intrinsic to Vietnam and the Diem regime.
A final critique (leaving out other ones, such as his arguments about PTSD and the morality of superpowers intervening in civil wars for their global struggle) is the idea of what I call Lind's "death ceiling." His assertion that it was not necessary for the US to win the Vietnam War (it was only a proxy war in an overall global conflict)to prove its resolve and end any myths of Munich appeasement, begs the question: What would happen if the United States would have reached its "death ceiling" in any proxy war (not just Vietnam) and not reached even its limited objectives (how does a nation determine when its credibility has been proven to allies and to enemies)? My answer to this is, based on reading Lind's research, is that there would have been more divisive conflicts such as Vietnam. Lind's overwhelming emphasis on credibility and symbolism, over human lives, draws this conclusion.

Lind Leads Us from the Road to Vietnam to the Road to Iraq.......2007-03-13

Lind's total lack of intellectual honesty produced in this "reinterpretation" of the Vietnam war is breathtaking. David Halberstam was in Vietnam. Where was Lind? David Halberstam interviewed the people who were key decision-makers. Lind debunking Halberstam? Hah!

His arguments ring hollow as he tries without success, not merely to reintrpret or revise the history of the Vietnam War, but to rewrite in the face of facts that do not justify his arguments.

His "reinterpretations" of the War are the same arguments being used today by the same bunch of conservative chickenhawks who talked tough while dodging the draft during Vietnam. Those arguments are being used by Dick Cheney in the same way that Robert McNamara used them. And they have led us into the same type of disaster in Iraq, but with greater danger to our national security than Vietnam ever remotely represented.

Viewing a country as dangerous when it was no threat to U.S. national security, manufacturing pretenses for war based upon unverified and unverified Vietnamese attacks on U.S Naval ships were used to justify the Tonkin Gulf Resolution.

One of the main lessons the Bush Administration learned from the Vietnam War was to manufacture similar pretenses as did the Johnson administration. Thus, the unnecessary Iraq War is justified by the Bush administration's uranium find in Niger, the Iraqi/al-Qaeda connections, and Condi Rice's "mushroom clouds."

The same simplistic thinking that led the U.S into our first lost war, is leading into us into our second.

Lind unconsciously displays the real Vietnam Syndrome in his book.
The real Vietnam Syndrome is not that Americans didn't want to fight anymore after Vietnam. The real Syndrome is that reactionaries like Lind cannot admit that the U.S. lost the war in Vietnam fair and square; that we could only lose unless the war effort was undermined by nefarious elements within the U.S. itself.

Lind's is essentially a paranoid, conspiratorial view of the world. This book amply demonstrates that he learned nothing from the Vietnam experience. Americans cannot lose a war, according to Lind, unless there is a vast conspiracy within our own country to produce defeat (echoes of McCarthyism).

It is certainly legitimate to review and revise history as new facts emerge. None do in this book. It's not history, it's polemic at its worst and most unenlightening. Vietnam, which is now our trading partner, and recently visited by President Bush, was as unnecessary to fight as was invading Iraq to disarm Saddam Hussein of non-existent nuclear weapons.

I'm sure Mr. Lind will write another book someday, about the "necessary war" in Iraq. And I'm sure he will find evidence that it was only because of lack of will and a hidden conspiracy that created what will probably be the second Islamic Republic that an incompetent American administration has created (as did Jimmy Carter in Iran).

This book is a must have for serious historians.......2007-03-03

This book is a must for serious students of history. The author is an learned expert who knows what he's talking about.

Necessary reading on America's role in the world.......2005-12-27

This is a dense but revealing book. It called my attention while searching for a different perspective to the square-minded, whacky, pacifistic analysis.

The auther is, no doubt, a liberal democrat who has engrossed the ranks of the anti-Bush whackos lately. However, he gives us an honest and detailed explanation of the background of Vietnam. He convincingly lets us see the whole picture of what was involved in the decision-making behind Vietnam at the time.

It's certainly about time now -without all the sound and fury of yesterday- to help people get rid of their prejudices (aka ignorance) towards the subject, whether liberal or conservative.

This book is not a military account of the war, though. But it's the absolutely necessary companion -after reading the military facts- for a quiet meditation and re-evaluation.

There are many great arguments in this book that can quench your thirst for wisdom, as in: "These three regions -Vietnam, Korea, Indochina- were not contested because they were important. THEY WERE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY WERE CONTESTED."

Most revealing and convincing to me were the quotations from letters by the communists leaders Stalin, Ribbentrop (foreign minister for the nazis) and Mao mocking America's military capabilities and political resolve towards war. These are worth the whole book, and a thousand books. Everyone in America should read pages 44 to 46 before being given the right to vote (or work for the government, for that matter).

Thus dixit Stalin -by the way, thank God there's a hell for guys like him, I wouldn't like to meet him in heaven-:

"They are fighting little Korea, and already people are weeping in the USA. What will happen if they start a large-scale war? Then, perhaps, everyone will weep." Mao's and Ribbentrop's words are of the same caliber. It all comes down to the simple conclusion that America's war in Vietnam was a proxy war, a game of intellects, a poker game with the USSR and China.

Having the choice of playing poker with someone who hates you and would like to see you dead, or dueling with him, I would would pick the first option, if only because I care more about my life than my money.

NB. I can't help remembering my little conversation with this Chinese female teacher and being astounded as to not knowing how to reply. She was emphatically arguing that America had invaded Korea first and that caused China to help their poor Asian "compadres". Nice. Her government and the US had sponsored her to come here and teach. But for this? This is what I call a willing spy. But we have to be so nice and understanding with foreigners, right? Candid, also? Stupid, also? On the other hand, I think, Americans are so different from other peoples. You see, this chinese lady believes everything her government taught her, as a dogma of faith. But Americans don't. On the contrary, if it's the government who says it then it must be a lie.

Another particularity -and I may be digressing too much- is that this welcoming trait (though hypocritical it may be) of Americans towards immigrants is restricted to a certain kind of immigrants. To be brief, teachers, scientists, pseudo-intellectuals are more welcome, overall, than typically poor families from Central/South America. But this is the real human-stuff that America is made of. Remember what Ms Liberty with her torch says? America is welcoming people who hate her and try to show her how bad she is, but is closing doors to her real constituency: the decent fellows who want to work, pay taxes, and die.

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