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The military trial of William Calley for his role in the slaughter of 500 or more Vietnamese civilians at My Lai shocked a nation already sharply divided over a controversial war. This work is a retelling of the My Lai story through the prism of the law. One of the most highly publicized trials of its day, the Calley case emerged at a time when protests against the war were growing larger. Well aware of this, the Nixon administration sought to downplay the My Lai incident, which military officers in Vietnam had tried to cover up in order to protect their own careers and reputations. The investigations of Ron Ridenhour and Seymour Hersh revealed the full extent of the My Lai tragedy, further inflamed the anti-war movement, and brought to trial Lieutenant William Calley. Unfolding the Calley, this work shows how the system of military justice actually works. It shows how a court-martial conducted within the public eye transformed a purely legal proceeding into a political debate about the conduct of the war. The text portrays Calley as both criminal and victim - guilty of the crimes of which he stood accused, but also an unintended scapegoat of the American military machine.
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2 reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Good History of an American War Crime
12 Oct 2003
Format:Paperback
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.
11 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Extraordinary
8 July 2003
Format:Paperback
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.
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