Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History (3 Volumes) [Library Binding]

Spencer C. Tucker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up?Providing interesting, well-researched articles on everything from the historical context to the important figures and key battles of this lengthiest of U.S. wars, this is a fine reference work that should be on every library shelf. The first two volumes contain more than 900 signed articles ranging in length from several paragraphs to several pages. Volume three provides a representative selection of documents pertaining to the war, beginning with a speech by Ho Chi Minh in 1920 and ending with President Clinton's announcement of normalization of diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1995. These primary sources add enormous value to the set. The writing is clear, unbiased, and informative. While protesters, activists, and movements are covered (e.g., Bobby Seale, the Berrigan brothers, the Black Panthers), there are some omissions. (Sidney Schanberg and Dith Pran, whose story was the basis for the movie, The Killing Fields, are not included). Though the black-and-white photos are not indexed, most of the images are evocative, dramatic, and well chosen. Unfortunately, the cross-referencing is disappointing; for example, names like Ho Chi Minh and Pol Pot are accessed by the first letter of the first name and students treating Minh or Pot as last names might miss these articles completely. Though this may not be the comprehensive encyclopedia it aspires to be, it is still the best there is on the subject.?Herman Sutter, Saint Pius X High School, Houston, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Assembling a corps of experts on every aspect?military, political, economic, and social?of America's involvement in Vietnam's War for Independence, editor Tucker (John Biggs Professor of Military History, Virginia Military Inst.) has produced a remarkable resource, though one that is not without echoes of the controversies produced by the conflict. Nearly 1000 entries by over 138 contributors?with documents from all periods and sources, some never seen before?make this encyclopedia a central resource for information and analysis of this turning point in modern history. The text is illustrated?rather sparingly for such a visible conflict?with black-and-white photos. Libraries with Stanley Kutler's recent single-volume Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War (LJ 1/97) could still benefit from the coverage here, as extensive as anything we'll likely see in several years. Recommended for all but the most specialized military and political collections. [Over the next 16 months, ABC-CLIO hopes to put this entire encyclopedia online on its own website, which will include a growing "diary" of E-mailed accounts from veterans.?Ed.]?Mel D. Lane, Sacramento, C.
-?Mel D. Lane, Sacramento, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 1196 pages
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874369835
• ISBN-13: 978-0874369830
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,683,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected., June 4, 2009

By 

J. E. Day Bedford (Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History (3 Volumes) (Library Binding)

Advertised as three volumes...but turned out to be only one book of three. I thought this was a little misleading.