Customer Reviews

The Siege at Hue

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This slim volume, grossly overpriced, is an excellent summary of a pivotal battle of the Tet offensive of 1968. Smith was in Hue throughout the battle as an Army PIO and gives a very balanced view of what went on. Often heralded as primarily a Marine battle, Smith rightly documents the actions of the Army units and the hard fighting done by the ARVN, particularly the paratroop units and the 1st Division. He strikes just the right balance between history and memoir. For the whole story, not just Smith's view, there are a number of books on the battle of Hue which he notes for the reader. Particularly effective was his post-war visits with some of the South Vietnamese commanders. The war cost all us, those of us who served there, those who lost their loved ones, but especially those who did both of those things and lost their country too.

What a read!! The author does a superb job of outlining the plot to take Hue by the North Vietnamese and puts you in the middle of the battle. His perosnal recollection as well as the interviews with former commanders is riveting.

As a non-military person, the explanations of key events and strategies is clear and concise. I found it hard to put down!!

who fought at Hue. And it is written by somebody who was there. Hue was every bit as tough a battle against every bit as formidable an enemy as any Americans have ever faced. The soldiers who fought and died there deserve all the respect due them for having fought an incredibly tough battle. Most paperbacks I dispose of after reading. Not this one. It goes into the Vietnam collection.

This Book was very informative. The writer puts you right there in the city,fighting with them.. I would give this book a ten. The writer is right about the Arvn. I have been with the Arvn airborne units and they never did once run from a fight while I was with them. They were not given the accolades that were due them in their fight for the city of Hue.The Marines are always claming they are the best which I will say they are very good, but there were time when the Army had to come in and help them. Roadrunner 6 Out

A GOOD BOOK ABOUT HUE, BUT I THINK IT NEEDED MORE DETAIL IN DESCRIBING THE URBAN WARFARE AND THE HOUSE TO HOUSE FIGHTING. I NEVER GOT THE FEELING THAT I WAS THERE WHILE READING THE BOOK. THATS WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A MILITARY BOOK.