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Product Description

Book Description

"The most comprehensive, up-to-date, and balanced account
we have."—Boston Globe. "Superb, balanced in interpretation...
immensely readable and full of new and interesting detail."—George Herring, Univ. of Kentucky.

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Customer Reviews

38 Reviews

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive overview, Mar 27 2003

By

M. Perini - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Ce commentaire est de: Vietnam: A History (Paperback)

I was just a little boy during the Vietnam War, so this book has served as an excellent overview of the politics and sociology that made the Vietnam war what it was. This is not a military strategy group, and it is basically what I'd call a view from 10,000 feet. Reading about the inept, and uncaring Johnson administration was very disturbing. To read about Johnson's band of white collar warriors continually receiving recommendations to exit the war from advisors in Vietnam, and the continual sweeping under the table of bad news, all in service of Johnson's political aspirations, made me sick. And frightened if that kind of political hubris is taking place in George W. Bush's administration as the USA embarks on a war with Iraq. There are a number of similarities...old white men who want to play soldier, invasion of a country that the USA does not understand, and whose people really don't want the USA there, and a blind belief that all people of the world seek a USA style political and economic system.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best on the Vietnam War, Aug 20 2000

By

Paul Martin (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Vietnam: A History (Paperback)

As is related in the beginning of this book, Vietnam: A History is well read in Vietnam today--probablly due to the fact-based, unbiased, reporting style the author uses.

The book is split into two divisions. The first, containing a vast history of Vietnam, which can be laborious to get through, yet for history buffs, worth the effort. Second, the Vietnam War.

It is the second part of the book which will leave the readers awed by the ineptness and corruption of U.S. & South Vietnamese leadership--both military and political, especially at top levels--angry by the uninformedness of the American people, and shocked by the great cost in lives and property to two warring groups, whose involvement and happening was entirely preventable.

Probably no other person was, or is better qualified to write the Vietnam story than Stanley Karnow, who lived in Paris in the 1950's, as a U.S. foreign news correspondent during France's fight for dominance in Vietnam. He also interviewed numerous key participants. He dug into once classifed U.S. documents to reveal unknown information, and he researched and reported on the recollections of high-level polticians, dignataries, military leaders, and the soldiers, men, and women who fought on both sides.

An outstanding work!

I'd recommed reading "Paris in the Fifties" by the same author as a primer to this book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The best place to begin studying America's war in Vietnam., May 13 2003

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Not A Real Name (South) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Vietnam: A History (Paperback)

This book is an excellent factual overview of the American experience in Vietnam. Stanley Karnow was there, as a reporter, and this book has become a staple in the vast collection of American Vietnam War books.

This is an excellent primer for those looking for a basic chronological understanding of the events of the war. Unlike so many of the more recent volumes on the subject, this book contains almost no speculation. This book is well researched, well written, and pretty safe, in that you can rely on the factual veracity of its contents.

If you're looking for complex political theories, you'll need to dive deeper into the subject, such as Logevall's Choosing War, or Kaiser's American Tragedy.

This book also contains some excellent, if standard, photographs, a basic chronology, and a very brief 'cast of characters' that are all of use to the beginner. If you are said beginner, you also want to tackle Sheehan's A Bright Shining Lie.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Flawed But Fine
Much of Mr. Karnow's work is outstanding. Vietnam's historical development, especially the two century lead up to the present time, is expertly handled. Lisez davantage

Published on Feb 21 2003 by Derek Leaberry

3.0 out of 5 stars Op-Ed History
This book has many merits: It is comprehensive, it attempts to explain Vietnamese history, and it is full of on the spot interviews and remembrances. Lisez davantage

Published on Sep 10 2002 by Scott Carpenter

5.0 out of 5 stars vietnam a history
to have been in vietnam from may68 -may 69 was for me a wide eye opener. this book by stanley karnow is clear and to the point. Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 27 2002 by john mcmahon

5.0 out of 5 stars How colonialism radicalized Vietnam
This is history at its best. Especially interesting to me is how colonialism and its supporters radicalized the Vietnamese leadership into seeking Communist help to throw off the... Lisez davantage

Published on Jun 25 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars A good into book on Vietnam
This book gives the reader with no knowledge about The Vietnam War good background information. This book is very descriptive in covering the History of Vietnam.

Published on Mar 27 2002 by rodog63jr

5.0 out of 5 stars VIETNAM: A HISTORY
It took me almost a year to get through this book, but I finally did finish it. I think the only assiumption a vet like myself can arrive at at this book's conclusion, is BOY,... Lisez davantage

Published on Feb 13 2002 by David L. Eastman

3.0 out of 5 stars AVERAGE OF 5 AND 1 IS 3!!!
Should you buy this book???

It depends what you are looking for...Karnow was in 'Nam as a reporter for 25 years and is probably the most qualified writer alive to write about... Lisez davantage

Published on Dec 5 2001 by Chad R. Reihm

4.0 out of 5 stars A Companion to the PBS Television Series
The TV series has a visual impact. You can almost feel you are there. If you were there, then you know how on the money this series is. Lisez davantage

Published on Nov 5 2001 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid work, now more relevant than ever.
It is difficult to imagine a better one-volume history of the Vietnam War. Karnow provides not only a clear narrative of events, but also excellent background on Vietnamese... Lisez davantage

Published on Oct 31 2001 by John P.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bad War
This noted book on Vietnam foregoes detailed accounts of battle and instead provides an often compelling and complete account of the political forces that led to America's tragic... Lisez davantage

Published on July 16 2001 by Kenneth Blum