From Publishers Weekly
The first volume of this history, subtitled "Revolution Versus Containment, 195561," dealt with the gradual breakdown of the 1954 Geneva settlement in Indochina and the resurgence of revolutionary warfare in South Vietnam. In this volume, Smith analyzes high-level debate and decision-making during the Kennedy administration and the early months of the Johnson administration, placing events in Indochina in the wider international picture. He shows, for example, the connection between events in Indochina and the course of Soviet-Chinese-Vietnamese relations between 1961 and 1965. He presents evidence that Kennedy had begun a fundamental reassessment of U.S. commitment in South Vietnam at the time of his death, and goes on to argue that Johnson, during the crucial period between his swearing-in and late February 1964, could not have withdrawn U.S. commitment "on any terms save those of abject surrender to Hanoi." Reexamining the Tonkin Gulf incidents in light of international Communist strategy, Smith brings into focus the probable reasons why Hanoi ordered the attack on the Maddox and why Washington used the report of a second attack as a pretext for retaliation. February 3
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This is the second volume of Smith's history; the first was subtitled Revolution Versus Containment, 1955-1961 ( LJ 3/1/84). As with the first volume, the author places the developing conflict in the context of international issues. This volume covers Kennedy's counterinsurgency strategy (1961-63) through Johnson's decision to escalate the conflict in February 1965. Pivotal attention is given to Sino-Soviet-American relations. The major flaw, as with the first volume, is lack of coverage of relations among noncommunist nations (e.g., the reactions of U.S. allies to the Tonkin crisis are not discussed). Nevertheless, the research is solid, and the interpretations that attempt to fill gaps in the historical record, if not conclusive, are at least well reasoned and interesting. Recommended for most academic libraries. Kenneth W. Berger, Duke Univ. Lib., Durham, N.C.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
