The Battle of Dienbienphu [Paperback]

Jules Roy (Author), Ralph Wetterhahn (Introduction)

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (January 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786709588
• ISBN-13: 978-0786709588
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,212,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Giap outfoxes Navarre, August 10, 2002

By 

Steven Brown (Brandon, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battle of Dienbienphu (Paperback)

This book recounts in vivid detail how Viet General Giap defeated
French General Navarre in the game of grand strategy played out in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The author contrasts the intense patriotism and self sacrifice of the Vietminh soldiers against the professionalism and devotion to honor of the French units. Maybe the book deserves 4 stars instead of the three I gave it but I thought the writers style left a little to be desired. All around though a very good book and worthy to sit in any history buffs collection. Note: I had to comment on the previous persons review who ignorantly badmouthed the French army while not even offering a review of the books merits. It takes more than watching a couple of History Channel specials to understand a nations motivations and willingness to fight. The heroism displayed by the French soldiers at Dienbienphu was just one more example of their well known devotion to duty. Ever heard of Camerone, Verdun, Birhacheim or the great victory at Austerlitz? Make sure you get your facts straight before insulting a nations military achievements.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of the battle, April 1, 2003

By 

Young J Lee (Vernon Hills, Il United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battle of Dienbienphu (Paperback)

Only having limited exposure to the battle of Dien Bien Phu, I looked forward to learning about this decisive battle. Mr. Roy has written a saddening, gripping account of sufferings and heroism displayed by the French troops. Of course, I wish he had given more time to the VienMihn, but since he is French... he had to place more emphasis on the French experience. Without doubt, this book is not for arm-chair generals who wish to learn about battles to debate with others. This book is for those who wish to learn everything about the war: Horrors, deaths, sadness, defeat, struggles, honor, disgrace.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The characters and the experience, March 19, 2006

By 

Killick - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battle of Dienbienphu (Paperback)

If you want to know what actually happened and why and how at Dien Bien Phu, then the definitive text is Windrow's The Last Valley. Read this work - actually by Jules Roy - for more insight into the personalities on the French side, and how they reacted as the pressure and the stress increased.