A Well Written and Even Handed Account of the War. | Vietnam: A History

book: Vietnam: A History | Stanley Karnow

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	• Vietnam: A History Stanley Karnow Penguin (Non-Classics), 1997 - 784 pages average customer review:based on 62 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

An Exhaustive but Important Work

In the future (and probably in the present as well) Stanley Karnow's book, "Vietnam: A History," will be supplemental literature in some college course about Vietnam. I doubt if in many institutions that it would be the main text. Karnow's strength is in his knowledge and research of the history of Vietnam and vividly portrays how the past has influence the present in the struggle for independence among the Indochinese and specifically Vietnamese peoples. Be warned that this book is written by a life-long journalist, not a historian. For some that won't matter. Karnow saw first-hand many of the events he talks about. He also was able to aqcuire interviews from every statesman and dignitary available: Vietnamese and American. He has BEEN to Vietnam and paints a beautiful and horrifying literary portrait of this area of the world. Journalists inherit the responsibility of being the first words in any era's history. Trying to be an historian Karnow does attempt in some objective hindsight and analysis of his topic, but sometimes these commentaries fall flat and boring. It is in Karnow's strict adherence to his journalistic roots where he achieves success. It may not have an academic historical viewpoint, but that is not necessarily the point when dealing with a subject as divisive as Vietnam. "Vietnam: A History" is an important work nonetheless and deserves its place in the canon of works related to the Vietnam War. It can be an exhastive read, but worth it in the end. A good foll-up book to read after this one would be "Dispatches" by Michael Herr. Also read the final section on the Vietnam War in Barbara Tuchman's "March of Folly" to get an excellent historical/political analysis.

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A Well Written and Even Handed Account of the War.

I had the unfortunate experience of taking a college level Vietnam Course that was completely one sided. The course was openly hostile to the American point of view and too sympathetic to the Communists. I am not saying I agreed with the war, but I feel a course or a book on the war should show boths side. I feel Karnow does this in his book. the book is well written and easy to read. Plus it does a good job of showing all the points of view of the war. Anyone looking for a book with a good background and overall history of the war should get this book. Read it and draw your own conclusions.

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