I was a youngster when Vietnam was going on and have never really sat down and read that much about it.
I have my own thoughts on why we weren't as successful as we were in other wars but am looking for a suggestion for a good book to read that is not biased one way or another (which may or may not be easy to find).

Disclaimer..... I am in no way putting down the Vietnam Vets. They were definitely not treated the way they should have been once they returned home.

I realize it was a different kind of war and the NVA/VC were a different kind of enemy. My personal thoughts are that the politics/politicians basically tied one arm behind our soldiers back and sent them into the jungle.


Anyone have any ideas on which book(s) to get?

Thanks

"A Rumor of War" Caputo- good ground level 1st person experience of the war.

"A Bright and Shinning Lie" by Sheehan

"We were Soldiers Once... and Young" Hal Moore

Thanks for the suggestions. Those 3 sound exactly like what I'm looking for.

I just ordered A Rumor of War and saved the other two.

I appreciate the help.

Dereliction of Duty - HR McMaster

You'd be surprised what you'll find about who really failed in Vietnam, and you'll be surprised when you find that the same thing happened in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you really want to read about failure of leadership in Vietnam,

"In Retrospect" by Robert McNamara. That book makes you blood boil when you think of the lives lost because of the LBJ administration's mistake.

"A Rumor of War"

AJ Languth's Nuoc Viet Ta, Our Vietnam.

Thanks everyone.

87IE as a vietnam vet, I appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to delve into it and read about it. So much has been written about it that over time, it tends to get politicized, and 'rewritten". I came back and could not believe how the media had already distorted things.
So, thanks for trying to learn rather than depending on media accounts. Good for you.

Matterhorn

The Village

the tunnels of cu chi


was recommended to me by my daughters great grandfather (mothers side) he was the commanding officer of the tunnel rats if that lends any credence to the value of his recommendation.

I've probably read a dozen books on the topic and "Bright Shining Lie" is the best IMHO. As comprehensive as one man's perspective can be but it almost reads like fiction due to Vann's complex personality. Hackworth's "Steal My Soldier's Hearts" was also a great read.

The Village by Bing West and Fields of Fire by Jim Webb

quote:

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87IE as a vietnam vet, I appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to delve into it and read about it. So much has been written about it that over time, it tends to get politicized, and 'rewritten". I came back and could not believe how the media had already distorted things.
So, thanks for trying to learn rather than depending on media accounts. Good for you.

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Aggie63, My father didn't talk about his WWII experiences when I was younger so I've recently caught up on the air war over Europe.
The miniseries Band of Brothers got him talking more and more and we ended up finding another surviving crew member. It was neat when they reconnected.

Watching the movie We were Soldiers has peaked my interest in Vietnam.

We have no way of knowing what y'all went through and I'll tell you exactly the same thing I've told every Vietnam Vet I've met.

I appreciate your service and apologize for how y'all were treated upon your return.

To everyone else thanks for all the recommendations. Rumor of War just came in so I'm going to start it tonight.

Read Night of the Silver Stars - it's sobering and even chilling in parts. It's not as well known as many mentioned here, but well worth the time.

87IE, Hey, appreciate your comments. It was a long time coming, but we are feeling the heartfelt "thank yous" these past few years. Believe me, they touch us. Keep em coming for all the old guys. It means a lot.

Another one is "Strategy for Defeat" By U.S Grant Sharpe. Admiral Sharpe was the CINC PAC during the war. Among other things in the book he tells about the "Pentagon Papers".

Harry Summers "On Strategy" dissects US operations through a Clausewtizian point of view. He makes some good points but over all I disagree with his main thesis (it has been a few years since I read it though)

If you are interested in an Air Force view, War For the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's Diary of Vietnam by Ed Cobleigh sure hit home for me

"White Feather" about Carlos Hathcock