In "Vietnam", American author and professor, Christian G. Appy has created a staggering and monumental oral history of the type that is created only once in a generation. The vivid accounts of 135 men and women span the entire history of the Vietnam conflict from its murky origins in the 1940s to the chaotic fall of Saigon in 1975. The testimony in this book, sometimes detached and reflective, often raw and emotional, allows us to see and feel what this war meant to people on all sides - Americans and Vietnamese, generals and guerillas, policy makers and protesters, CIA operatives, pilots and doctors, artists and journalists, and a variety of ordinary citizens whose lives were swept up in a cataclysm that killed three million people. By turns harrowing, inspiring and revelatory, "Vietnam" is not a chronicle of facts and figures but a human history of the war. It makes clear what made the Vietnam War one of the most significant conflicts of the twentieth century and why it continues to generate such bitterly divisive moral and political debate. The voices in it show us how hard the war was fought, how much it destroyed, how passionately it was protested, and how far it reached into every crevice of daily life in both countries. Those involved speak eloquently, answering many of the toughest questions about the war that, until now, have too often been met with silence.
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Review
"Defintive, profound and utterly relevant" (Daily Telegraph )
"The most fascinating collection of memories - some of them extremely painful - that I have read in a long time" (Scottish Sunday Herald )
"No conventional account could begin to evoke the raw reality of Vietnam as vividly as this ambitious oral history" (Scotsman )
"An exemplary oral history ... profoundly moving as well as informative" (BBC History ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
"The most fascinating collection of memories - some of them extremely painful - that I have read in a long time" (Scottish Sunday Herald )
"No conventional account could begin to evoke the raw reality of Vietnam as vividly as this ambitious oral history" (Scotsman )
"An exemplary oral history ... profoundly moving as well as informative" (BBC History ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
The definitive oral history of the Vietnam War featuring civilians, soldiers, protesters, journalists, survivors, exiles and refugees from all sides
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By J S
Format:Paperback
I have read many books on the Vietnam conflict but I have to say this is the best I have come across. Appy interviewed hundreds of people from every spectrum affected by this conflict including senior Government officials, Generals, soldiers, revolutionaries, medics, Anti-War protesters, families of killed/MIA and journalists but unlike many of his predecessors he did this for both sides.
The result is a harrowing account of the true horror and futility of war and first hand accounts of atrocities committed on both sides. I think this is a book that should everyone should read as many of mistakes made in this War look set to be forgotten and then repeated time and again.
The result is a harrowing account of the true horror and futility of war and first hand accounts of atrocities committed on both sides. I think this is a book that should everyone should read as many of mistakes made in this War look set to be forgotten and then repeated time and again.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. Hadfield
Format:Hardcover
Quite simply an excellent read. If you want a book that details the various stages of the conflict or individual actions then this book is probably not for you. However, if you want a book that combines individual histories, and which is written in such a way as to give the reader sufficient background information to place the memoir in it's historical context, then this will more than meet your expectations. A thoroughly engrossing, and interesting piece of work.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I saw one review on this book when it first came out and knew I had to have it. As someone who has travelled the country and always had an interest in the topic of the Vietnam war, I've been completely blown away by the authors research and story telling ability. It reads less like a text book (as a lot of factual war-based novels do) but more like a work of fiction. You can see the authors interest in the subject projected very clearly through his writing.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in all aspects of the topic, regardless of your current knowledge. This book guides you through the entire timeline in a cohesive and interesting way, making the task of actually absorbing the information it contains incredibly easy.
A must read for any war buff or south eastern asia enthusiast.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in all aspects of the topic, regardless of your current knowledge. This book guides you through the entire timeline in a cohesive and interesting way, making the task of actually absorbing the information it contains incredibly easy.
A must read for any war buff or south eastern asia enthusiast.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vietnam, The Definitive Oral History
I wish that I had read this book before making a recent trip to Vietnam and Saigon in particular, it provides a very balanced view of the terrible conflict that affected both sides... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Leonard F Baseley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vietnam The Definitive Oral History
This book was recommended to me by a chap who works for the British Embassy when I was in Hanoi recently it is lots of short stories about Vietnam and its history and not too heavy... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Polly
5.0 out of 5 stars
USAF Vietnam Veteran
Being a USAF Vietnam veteran, I'm always interested in all comments and obervations made about the war. Read more
Published 13 months ago by John Leveille
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good casual reader
In this volume, Appy creates a book that is excellent for those with an interest in the subject, and creates a very readable account of the war. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Oscar
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid oral history
The Vietnam war was one of those conflicts I remember most vividly from my childhood in Australia as our soldiers also fought in Vietnam and we did have conscription. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Alastair Rosie
4.0 out of 5 stars
From all sides
Having read a number of books on the Vietnam war and visited the country I was reluctant to read another book on that sad conflict. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2011 by H. Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars
subtle brilliance
the author does a great thing with this book. he explains the war without actually writing it down for you. its in the narrative of all the interviewees. Read more
Published on 26 July 2010 by Mr. Pj Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
history made personal
I am researching post Vietnam bereavement as part of my PhD. I found the personal narratives very useful. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2009 by Rev. Pk Fitzpatrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
A worthwhile read
I have just finished reading this book and found it very interesting. It is a fascinating insight into the minds and opinions of all those involved and it is a timely reminder... Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by Mrs. TK Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent glimse of personal war stories
Combine a short introduction to historic phases in the war with personal views from the field. Excellent. Read more
Published on 21 April 2009 by Erik
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