Summons of the Trumpet: A History of the Vietnam War from a Military Man's Viewpoint [Mass Market Paperback]

David Rich Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1984

Clear and concise, this is a masterful history of America's war in Vietnam.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (July 12, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345315839
• ISBN-13: 978-0345315830
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,294,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, informative and a fascinating read, May 5, 2002

By 

Hilde Bygdevoll (Stavanger, Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summons of Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective (Paperback)

I decided to read Dave Palmer's "Summons of the Trumpet" to try fill the gap in my knowledge of the Vietnam War.

A friend of mine whom graduated from West Point had to read this book as a part of his core readings.
(Palmer is a three star general and was superintendant of West Point when my friend was there). So when he told me that, I got a bit concerned that maybe the writing style of this book would be "slightly over my head". But to the authors credit, General Palmer strikes an almost prefect balance between technical jargon, military expressions, and personal anecdotes. This makes " Summons of the Trumpet" an easy, enjoyable read, even for the lay reader like myself. (Every now and then I felt that it would have been useful to have better knowledge of the military language, but all in all I was able to follow without any problems..)

This book is truly an excellent historical overview over what happened and why. General Palmer tracks the history of the American engagement in Vietnam. He focuses on the military strategy, and in an unbiased and detailed way he describes the war step by step. How things started, what the war was fought for, how it was fought, the victories the US won, and why it ended the way it did.

I had very little knowledge about the start of the conflict, and why US got involved in the first place. I was completely fascinated by Palmer's writing, and it really was impossible for me to put the book down. I was looking forward to going home from work, as the hour commute back and forth to work is my "reading-time".

"Summons of the Trumpet" gave me a deeper insight into a war I knew very little about. I know for sure that I will cite this book in the future.

I couldn't recommend it higher. Great read!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best and most comprehensive book on the Vietnam War, October 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Summons of Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective (Paperback)

This is not a picture book or a "....I been there" book. Objectively and carefully details the war step by step. By presenting the facts, Palmer allows you to decide....but that is not his goal. Clearly written to give the reader a non-partisan look from the first decisive battle (Ia Drang), to our continued efforts to support the South Vietnamese with U.S. airpower. Points out that TET was a hard fought win on the field for the Americans, but allows us to see the fatal political damage it inflicted on our leadership -- political and military, thus the "turning point." Not as detailed as Karnow and does not go as far back in history, but gives us a definitive look at the use of our military and its new hardware. If there is one book that is a must for a Vietnam War Collection, this is it....how we got there and why we left.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One word: Excellent, August 9, 2002

By 

Steve R. (Calgary, AB) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summons of Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective (Paperback)

Summons Of The Trumpet definately stands out as one of the best books written about America's role in Vietnam. This book doesn't deal with what the French did, it's about America In Vietnam.

Palmer presents a view that very few writers on the war in Vietnam present in other histories about America's involvment in Southeast Asia.

If you're a student or someone just interested in America's involvment in Vietnam, this is the best place to start.