The Vietnam War: 1956–75 (Essential Histories)
£6.40
America entered the Vietnam War certain of its Cold War doctrines and convinced of its moral mission to save the world from the advance of communism. However, the war was not at all what the United States expected. Dr Andrew Wiest examines how, outnumbered and outgunned, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces resorted to a guerrilla war based on the theories of Mao Zedong of China, while the US responded with firepower and overwhelming force. Drawing on the latest research for this new edition, Wiest examines the brutal and prolonged resultant conflict, and how its consequences would change America forever, leaving the country battered and unsure as it sought to face the challenges of the final acts of the Cold War. As for Vietnam, the conflict would continue long after the US had exited its military adventure in Southeast Asia.
Updated and revised, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this is an accessible introduction to the most important event of the “American Century.”
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (20 Jan. 2022), Osprey Publishing |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 31863 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 169 pages |
by Jimser10
A reasonable account of the war in Vietnam. For an in depth study I’d prefer Max Hastings book. One of the items not really covered was the general dislike and distrust by troops of the M16 rifle. This was covered up by top brass and politicians
by Kevin Botting
Like all the Essential History series this book is concise, well illustrated and includes informative maps.
As a teenager the Vietnam War was constantly on the evening TV news. No war has been so closely and intimately covered by TV cameras before or since. It seemed utterly confusing at
the time – having read this book I know that the whole war WAS confused. The US strategy was muddled,
and the war aims were fuddled and unrealistic – the US had lost the war the moment that they became involved.
And the GIs and Vietnamese civilians paid the price.
by A Williams
A very concise history – I liked the short essays at the end on the book which described the affects of the war on individuals.
by Thespionic
These are superb little books (less than 100 pages) which allow you grasp all the key facts without having to trundle through 500 + pages! If you have the time then you can finish them in a day. They are very well illustrated, keeping it factual without dwelling on the blood & gore of war. I grew up with this war, it was on the news, I saw the films and listened to the music – Billy Joel, The Doors, etc. Somehow I missed the key facts of it all! This has given me all that I needed to know. This overview gives so much detail about all sorts of things – those countries involved, the reasons for involvement, the places, the people, the links to other wars, the history, the outcome, the personal accounts, the political feel throughout and the legacies for all concerned. I have really learned an awful lot.
I was quite shocked at how badly affected some the American troops were: the My Lai atrocity, the 30,000 troops hooked on drugs, the racial tensions, the killing of their own in command – fragging, the draft dodgers, and finally their abandonment by their own people on return from the war due to the war’s media exposure and the country’s cover ups and propaganda. Their own people lost faith in the war and some troops faced isolation, destitution, physical ( the orange the scandal) and mental illness.
A very tragic end indeed to an ultimately futile war effort, that they have since admitted that they were wrong to get involved with? That decision cost 50,000 American lives!
by Charles Newstead
Commendably brief, informative, even the crude numbers are harrowing. Only a primer but good enough for that. R
Recommended if that is what you are after.
by fairwinds
This book borders on being a reference book rather than a good read, but for me it was full of fascinating snippets about the political and the unbelievable physical struggle for dominance. There are poignant passages from disillusioned vets which breathes life into the narrative.
For an overview of the years, and the effects and consequences of the American withdrawal it cannot be beaten, and it provides a broad brush and for me, a balanced picture of the errors made by politicians. As with other Vietnam books, the stoicism of the Vietnamese stands out. The incredible suffering by both sides is a sad feature. It continues today.
For someone who lived through this era , and who had the luxury of debating the pros and cons at the time, this work is an invaluable reference.
by Amazon Customer
This book was perfect for what I wanted. It gave a high level view of the Vietnam war and the politics that surrounded it. The book was a relatively easy to read and did exactly what I wanted it to do. Perhaps it is testament to this book that I finished it more curious about the topic than I started and I will undoubtedly go on to read more widely around the subject. For a introduction and high level understanding this is ideal.
Although university days are behind me now (I graduated last year) if I was still studying at degree or A-level I would use this book to give me a good grounding in the topic before moving on to deal with the nitty gritty of the historiography.
by David Rundell
The America that went to war thought they could do no wrong – the America that lost the war was the worlds most powerful country racked with dissolution. The whole world is still living with the consequences of that. I suppose it does highlight the terrible consequence of backing corrupt States. Interesting to see what the next couple of generations will make of it.