Legacy of Discord: Voices of the Vietnam War Era [Paperback]

Gil Dorland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2002

Twenty-eight years have passed since the fall of Saigon. We still seek answers to the era's pressing issues. And those who were responsible for planning the Vietnam War, those who fought in it, those who fought against it, and those who reported it have had ample time to reflect on its meaning and on their personal involvement. In Legacy of Discord, skilled interviewer Gil Dorland discusses serious, unresolved issues with Peter Arnett, Mike Davison, Daniel Ellsberg, Gloria Emerson, Alexander Haig, David Halberstam, Tom Hayden, Le Ly Hayslip, Roger Hilsman, John Kerry, Henry Kissinger, Cau Le, Barry McCaffrey, John McCain, H. R. McMaster, Tom Polgar, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jim Webb, and William C. Westmoreland. For the many veterans, students, and others still seeking to understand this great national tragedy, Legacy of Discord will be a book of historic importance.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Dorland assembled a real cross section of "voices" and certainly a notable who's who from the Vietnam War era. He interviewed the likes of Henry Kissinger, William Westmoreland, David Halberstam, and Tom Hayden, among others. Together, they include those who ran the war, who fought it, who covered it as journalists, and who were against it. Journalist Peter Arnett talks about the CIA flying in heroin from Laos to be sold on U.S. air bases. Senator John Kerry speaks about resigning from the navy after two tours of duty and becoming a spokesman for the Vietnam Veterans against the War. Daniel Ellsberg speaks of leaking the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times. Then there are voices from both South and North Vietnam. Le Ly Hayslip recounts her view of the war from her Vietnamese village and as a Viet Cong sentinel assigned to warn the guerrillas of American movements. Their stories convey not only their experiences but also a perspective of what was happening more than 25 years ago when they were part of history. Marlene Chamberlain
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, serving two Vietnam tours, and receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, Gil Dorland has sought to understand the war from contradictory viewpoints. His previous interviews of world leaders have appeared in numerous publications. Currently an independent film producer and screenwriter, he lives in Hollywood, Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (February 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574884107
• ISBN-13: 978-1574884104
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living History at Its Best!, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Legacy of Discord : Voices of the Vietnam War Era (Hardcover)

While the pieces of our country's history of involvement in Vietnam are being rearranged and fall into place, Dorland's Legacy of Discord takes its place as an important work. As the opportunity slips away to hear from many key figures of the era, Dorland's series of interviews is a gift of perspective to those who care to understand. The book is unmatched under one cover. There is a sense of urgency to the voices, a commitment to get into print opposing viewpoints so that we might come a bit closer to deciphering a defining period of our history.

Legacy is a fast-paced book from cover to cover. Dorland is not concerned with childhoods, marriages, etc., but rather he charges to the heart of the matter with each interviewee and expands from that point. The author's style is crisp and concise. The subject introductions are extremely well-written, germaine, and do not exceed two pages. The vast bulk of the book is in the language of its subjects.

The only mild and debatable criticism is the author's decision to include excerpts from Westmoreland's writings after a short telephone interview. I sense that Dorland agonized over this inclusion and finally acceded in deference to the general's health, age, and pivotal importance. Westmoreland's writings do add perspective, but it is unfortunate that too much time has passed for the general to answer pointed questions. It also emphasizes how lucky we are that the same is not yet true of the other participants.

I read Legacy in two days and began re-reading it shortly thereafter. Its importance to the era's evolving history is borne out simply by the agreement to go down in print by the participants themselves: Arnett, Ellsberg, Haig, Halberstam, Hayden, Kerry, Kissinger, McCain, Polgar, Schwartzkopf, Webb, Westmoreland, et al.

If you have the slightest interest in trying to understand this period of history, Legacy of Discord is an absolute must-read; in my opinion, it is a must-read twice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A balanced look at an unbalanced era, June 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Legacy of Discord : Voices of the Vietnam War Era (Hardcover)

Mr. Dorland has managed to give quite a balanced look at the war in Vietnam and the era that spawned it, by talking to people that played major roles on every side of the conflict. With 25 years of perspective, some memories have tempored, while others burn as hot as they did then. A fascinating read - especially for those who were not old enough to understand the state of the world at the time. I give credit to all those who were willing to stand up - even all these years later - and make their opinions known. Cogratulations to one and all.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT!, May 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Legacy of Discord : Voices of the Vietnam War Era (Hardcover)

If ever you wanted to read under one cover the perspectives of the Who's Who of the Vietnam War era, this is the book. Only someone with Dorland's combat and interviewing experiences could have pulled this monumental effort off. The honesty and forth righteousness of Legacy's direct testimonies, which undoubtedly will be the final published comments on Vietnam by several of the participants, are remarkable and make for a book of historic importance. I started reading it with the intention of looking at one or two chapters. I was immediately caught up in the book; I couldn't put it down. Legacy is a wonderful read!