For those seeking a detailed account of the domestic (US) political history of Vietnam: this is your book. Podhoretz, an acclaimed editor, covers the political debate (or lack thereof) at each stage of the US involvement in Vietnam; from refusing to enter to help the French, to providing assistance to the independent South, to entering combat, to drawing down, to negotiating an end to US involvement, to refusing to sell the South Vietnamese ammunition for their self-defense.
The author is meticulous in his research, quotes, and footnotes of the various sides at different times during the war. In fact, one of the drawbacks is that the reading is a bit thick due to the frequent in-depth quotes from sources with different styles. You may have to re-read a section once in order to make sure the context is correct. The book is well-organized though and the author's points are effectively made.
His biggest contention can probably be summed up as the Vietnam War was fought on the cheap. To elaborate his point, Kennedy and Johnson tried to fight the war below the radar of the general public. Therefore, even though most American's supported US efforts in Vietnam early-on, the Presidents never made the case for the war to the public. America was never put on a war-footing, and American's at home were not asked to make any sacrifices.
Later, when the public mood was shifting (not as you might imagine as the author points out), the political leaders failed to make the case for American involvement. By contrast, extremist elements opposed to the war (and any war, and the US itself), were able to gain broad support and mainstream acceptance of their `facts.' Johnson blundered in trying to "not dignify those allegations with a response." In trying to fight the war out of the public eye, and have his poverty programs simultaneously, he also squandered his credibility.
By the time Nixon was President, the issue of withdrawal was settled - even though there had never really been a debate - the only question was timing and method.
Podhoretz doesn't spare anybody in the book - he equally embarrasses those who favored involvement and those who favored withdrawal. He highlights hypocrisy on all sides, across all three administrations, and exposes hidden agendas and prejudices galore. He even points out fallacies and errors in his own articles, written during the war.
There is no question the author supported involvement (for the right reasons, in the right way), but he carefully draws the distinction between blind support of a poorly lead war effort by a leadership that squandered political opportunities, and support for those in South Vietnam who honestly wanted to remain free from North Vietnamese domination. This is not an easy book to read, and is not recommended for light reading - the reader has to really think about what is being said and the context.
If you want to learn more about politics surrounding the US involvement in Vietnam, this book provides critical balance missing in almost all histories of the war. If you enjoy political hardball and watching politicians and their shills being exposed, you will also enjoy this book.
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