America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975 (Fourth Edition)

Reviews with Integrated Context

Books You May Like

America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975 (Fourth Edition)

Author: George C. Herring
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.
Copyright: 1979
Pages: 397
Cover Price: $ 51.67

Enter a word or phrase in the box below


Widely recognized as a major contribution to the study of American involvement in Vietnam,this comprehensive and balanced account analyzes the ultimate failure of the war,and the impact of the war on U.S. foreign policy. The book seeks to place American involvement in Vietnam in historical perspective and to offer answers to vital questions.

Since the United States no longer launches war with a declaration, it is a somewhat slippery business to determine the starting and ending dates, but the war in Afghanistan appears to be challenging Vietnam for the title of longest war as measured by combat involving American troops.

Click for the original review.

Background Information

The demilitarized zone near the 17th parallel was established after the defeat of France in Indochina as a buffer separating North and South Vietnam. Afghanistan was invaded in 2001 as a result of the refusal of its Taliban government to reject Osama Bin Laden. The United States slid slowly into the position previously held by France in Indochina and became engulfed in a long war in Vietnam. After the French proved themselves unable to recover their Indonesian territory after World War II, the United States gradually took on their role and became mired in a land war.