Tale of Two Quagmires: Iraq, Vietnam, and the Hard Lessons of War (International Studies Intensives) [Hardcover]

Kenneth J. Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1594513511 | ISBN-13: 978-1594513510

There is an important debate raging about whether Iraq is becoming another Vietnam. Those who deny the similarities most vociferously are often those who know (or remember) the least about Vietnam. Kenneth Campbell knows Vietnam from his 13 months of fighting there (he received a Purple Heart), and years of political organizing to get the U.S. out of the war. Here, Campbell lays out the political process of getting into, sinking deeper, hitting bottom, and finally pulling out of the Vietnam quagmire. He traces the chief lessons of Vietnam, which helped America successfully avoid quagmires for thirty years, and explains how neoconservatives within the Bush administration cynically used the tragedy of 9/11 to override the Vietnam syndrome and drag America into a new quagmire in Iraq. In view of where the U.S. finds itself today unable to stay but unable to leave--Campbell recommends that America re-dedicate itself to the essential lessons of Vietnam: the danger of imperial arrogance, the limits of military force, the importance of international and constitutional law, and the power of morality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The plethora of best-selling new books on the Iraq War today merely catalogues the tactical errors and leaves the false impression that had the war been fought differently, victory would have been achieved and U.S. interests advanced. Campbell's lucidly written comparison of the wars in Vietnam and Iraq shows how costly this illusion is, a deception consciously fostered by American leaders and cheerleading members of the Fourth Estate. -- Lieutenant General William E. Odom (U.S. Army, retired), Senior Fellow with the Hudson Institute and former Director of the National Security Agency during the Reagan Administration. Campbell cuts through the rhetoric and obfuscation that passes for debate over Vietnam and Iraq, offering in their place measured, thoughtful, clearsighted analysis. Anyone who wants to understand two of the greatest debacles of my generation, how they relate to each other, and what we might do to avoid future such failures needs to read this book. -- W. D. Ehrhart, author of Vietnam Perkasie: A Combat Marine Memoir A Tale of Two Quagmires is a passionate and thoughtful analysis of the old war in Vietnam and the new one in Iraq. Kenneth Campbell understands war as a veteran and as an historian. The book is an invaluable aid to understanding the past and the present. -- Marilyn B. Young, Professor of History, New York University A Tale of Two Quagmires is a concise, cogent, meticulously-researched examination of how the American public was deliberately misled into ruinous military adventures in Vietnam and Iraq and of the "crucial lessons" that must be acknowledged in order to avoid such debacles in the future. Once a young, battle-hardened Marine determined to survive his time in a war of dubious necessity now a highly-regarded scholar of international affairs, Professor Ken Campbell offers a reasoned alternative to this cycle of deception and quagmire. In doing so he does not entirely reject the necessity of wars: only those without legitimate purpose and clear-cut strategy. The wisdom contained in A Tale of Two Quagmires has the potential to put the United States on a road to recapturing "the moral high ground in international relations" and, in the process, spare humanity the horrific consequences of such senseless and protracted conflicts -- a gift beyond value to future generations. -- Michael Archer, author of A Patch of Ground: Khe Sanh Remembered Informed by the hard lessons of first-hand experience and a lifetime of reflection, Ken Campbell offers a compelling and heart-wrenching story of America at war. Whether liberal or conservative, hawkish or dovish, thoughtful citizens must confront the questions Campbell bravely raises. America's aspirations as a moral nation depend on voices like Ken Campbell's -- voices that challenge conventional wisdom, generate debate, and put into motion the forces of self-correction that keep us true to the best of our values and traditions. -- Joel H. Rosenthal, President, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs Every American at all levels of society can benefit from this book, but it is especially valuable for young Americans who need to ponder these national traumas so as to make their recurrence less likely. -- Richard Falk

About the Author

Kenneth J. Campbell is associate professor of political science and international relations and director of the international relations program at the University of Delaware. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, enlisted in the Marines after high school, and served in Vietnam from 1968-1969, earning eight medals including the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and joined the antiwar movement, becoming a leader in Vietnam Veterans Against the War. He earned his PhD in 1989 and has taught at several universities, written many articles, and authored the book, Genocide and the Global Village (Palgrave 2001).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Paradigm Publishers (February 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594513511
• ISBN-13: 978-1594513510
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,862,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Statement!, April 3, 2007

By 

Michael Archer "Author of A Patch of Ground:... (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Tale of Two Quagmires: Iraq, Vietnam, and the Hard Lessons of War (International Studies Intensives) (Paperback)

A Tale of Two Quagmires is a meticulously-researched

examination of how the American public was misled into

ruinous military adventures in Vietnam and Iraq and of

the "crucial lessons" that must be acknowledged in order

to avoid such debacles in the future.

Once a young, battle-hardened, Marine determined to

survive his time in a war of dubious necessity; now a

highly-regarded scholar of international affairs,

Professor Ken Campbell offers a reasoned alternative

to this cycle of deception and quagmire. In doing so

he does not entirely reject the necessity of wars:

only those without legitimate purpose and clear-cut

strategy.

The wisdom contained in A Tale of Two Quagmires has

the potential to put the United States on a road to

recapturing "the moral high ground in international

relations" and, in the process, spare humanity the

horrific consequences of such senseless and protracted

conflicts -- a gift beyond value to future generations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best, October 7, 2007

By 

albert kline (Elkins Park, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Tale of Two Quagmires: Iraq, Vietnam, and the Hard Lessons of War (International Studies Intensives) (Paperback)

I did not know of Kenneth Campbell but I do now. This is by far one of the clearest and most concise treatments of the subject. I found almost all of my questions anticipated and fully answered. I'm sure I'll be re-reading the book many more times.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is Iraq like Vietnam? Yes, in many ways !, September 24, 2007

By 

David E. Williamson (Hockessin, DE, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tale of Two Quagmires: Iraq, Vietnam, and the Hard Lessons of War (International Studies Intensives) (Hardcover)

Professor Ken Campbell was a combat Marine in Vietnam in 1968-69; today he is Director of the International Relations Program at the University of Delaware. His first-hand wartime experiences coupled with his educational background give meaning and relevance to his analysis of the two wars, Vietnam and Iraq.

His analogy of what he calls two quagmires is an objective comparison, from one extremely well qualified to provide a spin-free overview. A must read for all who want no-nonsense, lucid comparisons of Vietnam and Iraq and the horrors of war.