Sherman's March and Vietnam [Hardcover]

James Reston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1987

The book describes Restons journey through the south retracing General William Tecumseh Shermans March from Atlanta to the Sea and then north into North Carolina. Reston considers southern mythology about Sherman and the Civil War, and compares it to accurate history. In Part II he makes parallels between Shermans method of warfare and the methods of the Vietnam War.The New Yorker"Original, provocative and far ranging...deserves a wide audience." Los Angeles Times"A fine meditation on American history, absorbing in its narrative and compelling in its challenge to the national conscience."Arthur Schlesinger, Jr."We are obliged to Reston for his reflections on this historical analogy; not so much for setting our minds at rest about moral dilemmas of the present as for lending them needed perspective."C. Vann Woodward, Boston Globe

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Original, provocative and far ranging...deserves a wide audience." -- Los Angeles Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

James Reston, Jr. has written nine works of non-fiction including The Innocence of Joan Little (Author's Guild Backinprint.com edition) and Our Father Who Art in Hell: The Life and Death of Jim Jones (Author's Guild Backinprint.com edition). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 323 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Co; 1St Edition edition (November 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0026023008
• ISBN-13: 978-0026023009
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,677,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Al Queda are not the first terrorists, January 11, 2004

By 

Alan Mills (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sherman's March and Vietnam (Hardcover)

Reston (son of long time NYT reporter, columnist, editorial board member James, "Scottie" Reston) compares the tactics used by the much maligned General Sherman in his infamous "March to the Sea" at the close of the American Civil War, with the tactics used by Westmoreland in Vietnam.

Reston's bottom line is that the horrors allegedly committed by Sherman are exaggerated, but he clearly redefined modern warfare, by making it a legitimate tactic to terrorize civilians in order to undermine the enemies "will to resist." This tactic found its ultimate expression in Hiroshima, but was strongly echoed in Vietnam.

One of the great ironies Reston focuses on is that the south generally decries Sherman, but extols Westmoreland.

The book is now obviously dated--it would be very interesting for Reston to do a "post 9/11" edition. But the lessons Reston draws from Vietnam and Sherman's march are well worth applying to our current occupation of Iraq.

4 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The American Soldier is evil, June 11, 2006

By 

Wesley (Orange Park, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherman's March and Vietnam (Paperback)

If you believe that the American soldier committed unspeakable atrocities in Vietnam this is the book for you. His Civil War history is so off it is not even funny. He gets basic stuff wrong like the order battles took place in. If you are interested in Sherman or Civil War history read James McPherson or Lee Kennett. If you are an ex-hippie that wants to feel good about your wasted youth this is the book for you!