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Vietnam
Explaining America's Lost War

Gary R. Hess (Author)

9781118948996, Wiley

Paperback / softback, published 12 May 2015

240 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.318 kg

Now available in a completely revised and updated second edition, Vietnam: Explaining America’s Lost War is an award-winning historiography of one of the 20th century’s seminal conflicts.

  • Looks at many facets of Vietnam War, examining central arguments of scholars, journalists, and participants and providing evidence on both sides of controversies around this event
  • Addresses key debates about the Vietnam War, asking whether the war was necessary for US security; whether President Kennedy would have avoided the war had he lived beyond November 1963; whether negotiation would have been a feasible alternative to war; and more
  • Assesses the lessons learned from this war, and how these lessons have affected American national security policy since
  • Written by a well-respected scholar in the field in an accessible style for students and scholars

Preface viii

1 From the Streets to the Books: The Origins of an Enduring Debate 1

2 A Necessary War or a Mistaken War? 23

3 "Kennedy Exceptionalism," "Missed Opportunity for Peace," or "Lost Victory?": The Movement toward War, 1961–1965 49

4 The Revisionist Critique of the "Strategy for Defeat": The Clausewitzian Alternative 84

5 The Revisionist Critique of the "Other War": The "Hearts-and-Minds" Prescription for Victory 111

6 The Media and the War: Irresponsible or Balanced Journalism? 133

7 The Tet Offensive: Decisive American Victory or Devastating Loss? 155

8 Nixon–Kissinger and the Ending of the War: A "Lost Victory" or "Neither Peace nor Honor?" 179

9 Conclusion: The War's "Lessons" 209

Bibliography 218

Index 221

Subject Areas: History [HB]
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