America's War in Vietnam: A Short Narrative History [Hardcover]

Larry H. Addington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2000

In his previous books, most notably "Patterns of War Since the Eighteenth Century", Larry H. Addington has proven himself a masterful guide to the causes and conduct of war in the western world. In his new book, Addington turns his narrative skills to a brief history of the war in Vietnam. Not intended as a competitor to the many excellent comprehensive studies of the Vietnam Era, this book presents a short, narrative history of the origins, course, and outcome of the America's military involvement in Vietnam. Addington begins with a review of the history of Vietnam before the coming of the French, the impact of French imperialism, and the United States's collaboration with Ho Chi Minh during the Second World War. He examines the course of the French Indochina War and the Cold War origins of the early American involvement in Vietnam. He then traces in more detail U.S. policy after the 1954 Geneva Accords, its role in the establishment of a permanent and independent state in South Vietnam, and its role in the outbreak of a new war. As his narrative turns to America's deepening involvement in the war, Addington examines the U.S. strategies for waging air and ground war, and the domestic impact of its policies on public support and on the anti-war movement. He suggests reasons for the ultimate failure of U.S. policy under President Johnson and examines the successes and failures of the policy of withdrawal under President Nixon. Addington concludes with an overview of the aftermath of the war and a summing up of America's experience in Vietnam. Based upon years of experience teaching about the war, "America's War in Vietnam" will prove a useful introduction and a concise reference to America's longest and most controversial war.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Larry H. Addington is Professor Emeritus of History at The Citadel. He has been a guest lecturer at the Naval War College, the Marine Command and Staff College, and at various Army schools. He is author of The Blitzkrieg Era, The Patterns of War Through the Eighteenth Century, and The Patterns of War Since the Eighteenth Century.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253336910
• ISBN-13: 978-0253336910
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,654,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Summary, July 3, 2000

By 

Michael Esnard - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's War in Vietnam: A Short Narrative History (Paperback)

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.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whole Story--Complete and Concise, June 27, 2000

By 

Amy Mulzet - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's War in Vietnam: A Short Narrative History (Paperback)

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!

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not exactly what I was looking for, August 3, 2001

By 

Michael (Elmhurst, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's War in Vietnam: A Short Narrative History (Paperback)

The book provides are very thorough accout aobut the tactics employed during the war and the battles that resulted. The level of detail is tremendous and the book is well written. However, I was hoping for a more thorough examination of the sociological effects of the war, particularly here in the US. Maybe there is another book that I can read for this.