Vietnam: An American Ordeal (5th Edition) [Paperback]

George Donelson Moss (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131925881 | ISBN-13: 978-0131925885 | Publication Date: July 28, 2005 | Edition: 5

Vietnam: An American Ordeal provides a comprehensive narrative history of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia, from 1942 to 1975. Unlike most general histories of U.S. involvement in Vietnam—which are either conventional, diplomatic or military histories—this text synthesizes the perspectives to explore both dimensions of the struggle in greater depth, elucidating more of the complexities of the U.S.-Vietnam entanglement. It explains why Americans tried so hard for so long to stop the spread of Communism in Indochina, and why they ultimately failed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For a variety of undergraduate-level history courses covering recent U.S. history and the U.S. experience in Vietnam, including courses in military history, modern U.S. diplomatic history, and courses on the Cold War and on Southeast Asia. This text provides a comprehensive narrative history of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia, from 1942 to 1975-with a concluding section that traces U.S.-Vietnam relations from the end of the war in 1975 to the present. Unlike most general histories of U.S. involvement in Vietnam-which are either conventional diplomatic or military histories-this text synthesizes the perspectives to explore both dimensions of the struggle in greater depth, elucidating more of the complexities of the U.S.-Vietnam entanglement. It explains why Americans tried so hard for so long to stop the spread of Communism in Indochina, and why they ultimately failed. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This text provides a comprehensive narrative history of the U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia -- from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s. It takes a balanced, unbiased look at all aspects of the war, and discusses why Americans tried so hard so long to stop the spread of Communism into Indochina, and why they failed. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (July 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131925881
• ISBN-13: 978-0131925885
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive and clear, August 7, 2006

By 

P Conway "Paolo" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vietnam: An American Ordeal (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This is one of the very best books on America's Vietnam experience. Unlike most books on the war it combines historical, cultural, military, and political perspectives.
Moss is also clear on how the media reported the war and how myths about media bias have clouded America's understanding of the war.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written, confusing, using too many abreviations, April 3, 2010

By 

R. Stalker - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vietnam: An American Ordeal (5th Edition) (Paperback)

I had to by this book for a class. I thought it would be interesting. Very contrary to my original thoughts this book has become an albatross. It is written for military people, who might have a clue what all the abbreviations are. It is very biased. The author definitely does not have a clue what how a situation might be handled other than in a military fashion. Communists are the scourge of the earth to this guy. If anyone is thinking of using this for a textbook please give your students a break and find something might actually be interesting!

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars astounding, March 8, 2002

By 

popcorn (this "place") - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Vietnam: An American Ordeal (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This is the fairest, most politically comprehensive book on the Vietnam issue you will ever read!