Novel approach to the history of the conflict
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The history of the middle part of the Vietnam war using the life and experiences of John Vann, a senior military adviser, as a vehicle for the narrative. This does make the book more accessible but it also, necessarily, introduces material about Vann's personal life that I was not interested in.
I see that other reviews have described 'A Bright Shining Lie' as 'comprehensive', which is perhaps a strange description for a title that does not cover the French conflict in any detail and makes no mention at all of 'Nixon's war'.
On the whole though, this is a detailed, incisive and well-constructed analysis of US military policy and tactics during the period covered. Worthy of it's Pulitzer.
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Novel approach to the history of the conflict
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The history of the middle part of the Vietnam war using the life and experiences of John Vann, a senior military adviser, as a vehicle for the narrative. This does make the book more accessible but it also, necessarily, introduces material about Vann's personal life that I was not interested in.
I see that other reviews have described 'A Bright Shining Lie' as 'comprehensive', which is perhaps a strange description for a title that does not cover the French conflict in any detail and makes no mention at all of 'Nixon's war'.
On the whole though, this is a detailed, incisive and well-constructed analysis of US military policy and tactics during the period covered. Worthy of it's Pulitzer.
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An in-depth analysis of how and why the US lost the war
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Neil Sheehan has given us probably the most analytical book on the Vietnam War. There have been scores of books by Marines, pilots and Special Forces soldiers but this book is a must for those who want more than the scene setting. It probes the ill-fated drive of US led Vietnamization and reveals just how blinkered the top-brass were, from Westmoreland to LBJ. It is not light reading and I would go so far as to say to those wanting another Vietnam tale to stay away. This is only for those that are really interested in what was happening behind the scenes. It seeks to unravel why and how the US, the indisputed military superpower on the planet, lost a war against a third world nation. After finishing this book I think you will understand finally just how nearly 60,000 US soldiers lost their lives in the jungles of South East Asia. The most comprehensive book written about the US involvement in Vietnam and better than the excellent 'About Face' by Col. Hackworth.
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A Bright Shining Lie
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Sheehans book is a huge work not to be contemplated by the light hearted. As an accesible history of Vietnam it has little competition. It is the story of John Vann, a US military officer who enters the war full of belief in the way it is run yet quickly becomes cynical about his superiors and their tactic. He leaks the truth to the press and is vilified as a result.
As a biography one would expect support for the main character. However Sheehan presents a harsh portrait of his "hero." He is portrayed as a deeply flawed man beset by depression, cynicism and a womaniser. We are not made to like Vann but Sheehan presents the facts and lets the reader decide how they feel. This book does not leave the reader feeling warm and comfortable; if anything we are left more confused about the whole war than before opening the book. Questions are asked but not answered, moral issues raised but not resolved. Maybe this sums up the whole war?
The book also acts a comprehensive work of history with accessible descriptions of the key battles and political intrigues that made up Vietnam.
This book is not pretty or fluffy. At the end I did not feel happy or pleased with its closure-it however is about reality and reflects this well. Sheehan has written a powerful book which should be read by anyone wanting to understand Vietnam and more widely the impacts of war on people.
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Epic account of the folly of Vietnam
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At 800 pages + you have to have some patience. However, if you stick with it this book will give you the most detailed history of the Vietnam conflict imaginable. The work and research put into this book is immense. Having read 'Dispatches'and 'If I Die in a Combat Zone' this book acts as a historic backdrop to why these events happened and why the carnage was so massive. Essential.
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