Customer Reviews

Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, the Americans, and the Secret Wars for Laos, 1942-1992

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book by Jane Hamilton-Merritt may not be to a point accurate but it was written in her own point of view as of how we, the Hmong, were drawned into war as foot soldiers for the Americans. I was not borned yet to live through this coverted war but for me alot of my uncles, including my father, were actual soldiers so it touches me deeply when i read this book. I know that with the growing population of Hmong nowadays in America the one main question on a Caucasin American's mind is "Why are these Asians migrating to America and living next door to me?" Well to answer that question they would have to read this book to find out why. As for myself, being a first generation in America, after reading this book it have been brought to my attention how much i have yet to learn about my own history during the Vietnam War. To those that only know that the Vietnam War was about US fighting communist of North Vietnam will have to definitly read this book to fully understand all of the war. I give props to Jane Hamilton-Merritt for her studies and researches into these peaceful hilltop tribes that were told to leave their everyday lives to join forces with an ally that in the end totally deserted them when they evacuated Southeast Asia. My heart and soul goes out to all those who have lost their lives, family members, and love ones so that I and all the first generation Hmong young adults in America could have a better life here. For those who still ponders on why we the Hmong are being here in America; this book is for you to read and understand that the Hmong people contributed in a much bigger way in the war than anyone could have imagined. This book is highly recommended by me for everyone to read whether you are Hmong or not.

Even though I have many things I need to do for school, night after night, I could not resist reading a chapter of this book, then two, then three chapters. The details and specifics incorporated in this book are overwhelming and it is those details that touch your heart, especially because those details are so horrible and at the same time true. What happen to us during the Vietnam War is not known to many outside of the Hmong. By reading this book I gained a much greater appreciation for my own culture. I know that I should probably know something of this and that I have my relatives to go to if I want to hear stories of this nature. But it is hard for me to ask them that and they are busy and so am I. It certainly made an impact on my life, and I will devour any other books about us. I find myself thinking why I am not a sociology major instead of a chemistry major. Never did I know the true involvement of the Hmong in the CIA's actions in SE Asia. A MUST READ!!!!

Jane Hamilton-Merritt's research and reporting is outstanding.After serving as a Candlestick fac (NKP 1969-1970),I have spent the last three years reading about these poor people who gave so much for the American aircrews.. I spent a two week'Sabbatical" at 20 alternate and was shocked by the yound age of V.P.s troops.Ms. jane has portrayed it brilliantly....Her work is phenomenal and should be required reading for the war colleges She correctly questions why any country would sign a treaty with the United States.. The genocide which we have supported by "sticking our heads in the sand" is grievous.I retired early from the USAF since I lost confidence in our government.Indeed even the services spent a great deal of their time trying to absorb each other's missions,rather than dealing with the losing battle in SEA in the 1970s.. The administration never told the American people that we were actually fighting against Russian and Chinese advisors leave alone that we were in Laos for almost ten years. .Every congressman should also read about this stain on our moral fiber .Somehow,there are more important things in this life than being reelected .Thank you and Bless Ms. Hamilton-Merritt for trying to wake up Washington. The best treatise ever on our Laotian allies !

As will be established by many other reviewers, there ARE some significant points of contention, particularly regarding the Yellow Rain element of the book and the occasional heavy-handed romanticizing of the Hmong. But these are not enough to totally undermine the value of the book.

By and large, it really tells a deeply engaging story about the Hmong and should be considered one of the essential reads on the matter.

Considering the large lack of material on the Hmong prior to this book, it is an important step.

One might want to compare it to Backfire/Shooting At the Moon by Warner in particular, or even The Ravens / Air America by Robbins. Another good text to have on hand is Sky Is Falling by Morrisson.

We should all still be waiting for the great Hmong account of the war in Laos from their own perspective however. That should make fascinating reading.

This is an amazingly well researched book. The author has relentlessly refused to just let the injustices done to the Hmong go. Her extensive disscussions on the use of biological toxins by the communists against the Hmong in remote areas of Laos is unequalled. She tells of Hmong risking their lives to return to Laos to bring back samples of the toxins to prove to the world what was going on in Laos. These samples sat untested for poitical reasons. Jane Hamilton-Merritts book is an eye opener. It will get any reader to thinking long and hard about U.S. involvement and geopolitics. This a must read book. Kerry Lattimore (ericberger@worldnet.att.net), Bakersfield, California

Difficult to criticise such a book. Nonetheless, the accumulation of sometimes small, sometimes big inaccuracies casts a shadow on the value of the work of Mrs.Hamilton-Meritt. There is strong evidence of massive -to the Laotian scale- use of toxic agents against Laotian opponents to the present regime, including voluntary targetting of civilians. This book is a useful testimony of the suffering of a population extensively used by the US governement and then quietly abandonned. But it is maybe not as clear-cut as exposed. Opium is an issue altogether avoided. The French actively promoted its cultivation to take advantage of the smoking habits of some Indonchinese. French Indonchina was a net importer of raw opium, and it certainly was not for 'medical uses'. The hill-tribes continued their ancestral cultivation of the poppy during the various conflicts and still do. All sides found a profit there, either because of a direct involvement in the traffic, or more beningly in perceiving a tax on the raw opium or ensuring its safe passage in their zone of control for a fee. Not a word of this in the book. Similarly, posing the Neutralists as straight allies of the Communists is rather surprising, at best. Finally, the Hmong were not alone, some Laotian officers and soldiers were brave, and the Thais also played a major role in MR2, with up to 16 infantry battalions and 3 artillery battalions in the field. The reality has a few more shades of grey than this book.

What Laos, Thais, Vietnamise, Chiense has done to us Hmongs doesn't that we will stop fighting. Just because we don't have a land why can't we share like the Native's. Hmongs are stronger than ever now than in history. This book is about Laos, thais, vietnamese and chinese pushing us away and finally we resettle in the u.s. but there are alot more hmongs in the reguee camps.

Jane Hamilton-Merritt has done a superb job in documenting the struggles of the Hmong people. By living with the Hmong, she sees through the eyes of the Hmong people. Her views are not those of an outsider, but the views of a Hmong. From the beginning of the Secret War to the settling of the Hmong in America, she documents everything that happens to the Hmong people. Tragic Mountains shows her dedication and love of the Hmong people

I believe Jane Hamilton-Merritt did her job as a journalist... but there were many incorrect things in the book... She has become a big representative of the Hmong struggle in Laos... thus, I feel it necessary that these mistakes be corrected...

overall, the book was very informative... I've learned a lot from the book... and I do recommend it...

A well written and solidly researched book. I wish it was more widely read. The Hmong were among the best allies we have ever had. Competent, brave and honest. We screwed them due to a lack of political will. I can't imagine we are having a hard time convincing people to trust us these days. Well worth the read.