America's War in Vietnam: A Short Narrative History

By Larry H. Addington

Book Overview

Drawing on years of experience teaching about the war, Larry H. Addington presents a short, narrative history of the origins, course, and outcome of America's military involvement in Vietnam. Not intended as a competitor to the many excellent comprehensive studies of the Vietnam Era, this book will prove a useful introduction and a concise reference to America's longest, most controversial war. Addington reviews the history of pre-colonial Vietnam, the impact of French imperialism and the Indochina War, and the Cold War origins of American involvement. He then details U.S. policy after the 1954 Geneva Accords, its role in the establishment of South Vietnam, and the outbreak of a new war. Turning to America's deepening involvement, Addington examines the U.S. strategies for waging air and ground war, the impact of the war at home, and the reasons for the failure of U.S. policy under President Johnson. He studies the successes and failures of the policy of withdrawal under President Nixon and concludes with an overview of the war's aftermath and its legacy.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253336910
• ISBN13: 9780253336910
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Great Summary

It is a rare book that can effectively summarize a long war and a longer historical process in a short space, yet this book does so with gem-like clarity. It is also extraordinarily evenhanded--a great accomplishment given the depth of feeling surrounding the war. The text weaves various perspectives into the narrative so well that I always felt unimpeded by bias and appreciative of its broad objectivity. The author keeps the larger focus on the main political and military issues which shaped the war yet always includes enough detail to give a strong sense of what was taking place both in policy circles and on the ground. The author has cleary mastered a great deal of material and keeps to the facts, yet through it I was deeply moved. I think there is a subtle tone to the book of compassion for human tragedy that makes it not just highly readable but important to all of us who struggle to understand human events, and particularly this war.

The Whole Story--Complete and Concise

I was young while the vietnam war was taking place. I've always wanted to learn more about it. This book tells precisely everything that went on very concisely. It also tells what went on in America during that time and you're able to get the whole picture. I wish that I would have read this a long time ago and I now know what other areas to look into for future reference. My family and I went to view "The Moving Wall" (Vietnam Memorial Duplicate) and I was fortunate and very honored to be able to discuss some situations with Vietnam Vets that were there. It was a great experience and those that I spoke with were impressed with what I knew!