America and Vietnam [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Albert Marrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1992

A history of America's most traumatic military failure describes the politics of the Vietnam War, its day-to-day horrors, and its repercussions for the world today.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although to Americans, this book's most compelling parts may be the U.S. participation in the Vietnam War, our country's dilemma, particularly the switch from French combat and the antiwar movement (which Marrin seems to view a bit negatively), all of the material within is relevant. The complex narrative deals with many diverse topics--colonialism, opium, Ho, Diem, the administrations of six presidents--but the author's graphic style enables the tragedy of wars of propaganda, ideas and terrorism to emerge. In few books--especially for this age group--is the power of a few in individuals' goals, idiosyncrasies and fears more forcefully portrayed. Several little-known facts flesh out the text: Ho lived in Brooklyn at one time; in the 1950s, the U.S. was already funding 78% of the French army's costs; military planning was done in the White House mostly without generals; some of the war tactics, such as attaching bombs to pigeons' legs, bordered on the ridiculous. Perhaps most important, Marrin brings up intriguing but unanswered questions, many of which are pertinent to today's readers. With the value of acknowledged hindsight, the author negotiates this dense subject in exemplary fashion. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-- This unflinching look at the Vietnam War is very different from the usual geopolitical histories often written for this age group. Marrin shows readers how the war affected both countries, opening with an excellent background history of Vietnam and a brief biography of Ho Chi Minh. He also describes the sights, sounds, and smells of war, as well as the endless horror of death and torture that was so characteristic of it. He takes readers on missions with both armies, and on bombing runs with the U. S. Air Force. All of this makes for fascinating reading; few books for YAs are as honest as this one. Many histories of this conflict set out to prove that one side or the other was good or evil; Marrin, in contrast, makes it very clear that in this war there were no such absolutes. In great detail and with objectivity, he exposes the brutality of both Vietnamese governments, the cruelty of the Communists, the unrealistic expectations and decisions of President Johnson, and the hypocrisy of the war protesters in the U. S. An excellent companion to the Hooblers' Vietnam (Knopf, 1990) and Warren's Portrait of a Tragedy (Lothrop, 1990), this book deserves a place in every high school. --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; illustrated edition edition (June 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670840637
• ISBN-13: 978-0670840632
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,409,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Albert Marrin is an award winning author of over 40 books for young adults and young readers and four books of scholarship. These writings were motivated by the fact that as a teacher, first in a junior high school in New York City for nine years and then as professor of history and chairman of the history department at Yeshiva University until he retired to become a full time writer, his paramount interest has always been to make history come alive and accessible for young people.

Winner of the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal for his work, which was presented at the White House, was given "for opening young minds to the glorious pageant of history. His books have made the lessons of the past come alive with rich detail and energy for a new generation."

Dr. Marrin's numerous other awards include the Washington Post Childrens'Book Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, the James Madison Award for Lifetime Achievement, several Horn Book awards by the Boston Globe, consistently appearing on the best book of the year lists of the American Library Association, frequent recognition by Book Lists, and the Western Heritage Award for best juvenile nonfiction book presented at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, August 4, 2005

By 

Deborah Ellen (Guam) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America and Vietnam: The Elephant and the Tiger (Paperback)

I thought the book was excellent~ in writing and content quality. I plan to use this book with my 10th grade students as I feel that it provides an excellent look into not only the war, but the politicians and American people at that time.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Perspectives, May 21, 2007

By 

Pamela Wilbur - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America and Vietnam (Hardcover)

This was an enlightening account of the issues surrounding the Vietnam War, the reasons for American involvement and the inside track to the Vietnamese perspective. The author explains the facts all sides needed to contend with, but left the conclusions to the reader to decide what was the right thing to do. This is a fair representation of the debate over the Vietnam War.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great use of sources and very balanced book!, May 20, 2010

By 

Hoang Tran (blackwood, nj) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America and Vietnam: The Elephant and the Tiger (Paperback)

I've read many history books over the years. Some were rather dry and not that captivating; however, this book exceeded my expectations. The author uses a plethora of sources that he weaves into the story telling. From interviews, to photos, to statistics. The author provides a very balanced perspective that makes you want to delve deeper into the subject matter. Overall, i'd suggest this to anyone interested in history in general. And this is a must read for those interested in US History or SE Asian History. Its a quick read as well.