Customer Reviews

Vietnam War on Trial (Landmark Law Cases & American Society)

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This is a fascinating, balanced history of the My Lai massacre and the prosecution of William Calley. Although the events in Vietnam and in the courtroom are at the center of the book, the narrative ranges from the origins of the Vietnam war and the administration of the draft, to the machinations of the Nixon White House. The writing is clear and the judgments sound. My only serious complaint is that author Belknap keeps the narrative too focused on Calley's personal history, his actions on the day of the massacre, and his subsequent court-martial -- whereas it is clear from the text that many, perhaps most, of the soldiers in Charlie company went berserk alongside Calley and joined in the slaughter of Vietnamese civilians. It would be interesting to know more about the other "grunts" and junior officers who shared responsibility with Calley. Unfortunately, they have a walk-on role in the book, apparently because most of Belknap's research was based on legal materials such as the official record of Calley's trial.

Extraordinary book! Mr. Belknap really cuts to the core of the issues surrounding the My Lai incident and the subsequent Courts Martials (Calley being the only person actually found guilty). His review of the political issues of the era as well as the personal sacrifice made by the prosecution, really help the reader understand what happened after Lt. Calley returned to the United States. Anyone interested in military justice, or who may remeber the incident and not understand fully what was involved, should pick up a copy.