The Vietnam War

1956–75

The Vietnam War cover

Description

In this fully illustrated introduction, leading Vietnam War historian Dr Andrew Wiest provides a concise overview of America's most divisive war.

America entered the Vietnam War certain of its Cold War doctrines and convinced of its moral mission to save the world from the advance of communism. However, the war was not at all what the United States expected. Dr Andrew Wiest examines how, outnumbered and outgunned, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces resorted to a guerrilla war based on the theories of Mao Zedong of China, while the US responded with firepower and overwhelming force. Drawing on the latest research for this new edition, Wiest examines the brutal and prolonged resultant conflict, and how its consequences would change America forever, leaving the country battered and unsure as it sought to face the challenges of the final acts of the Cold War. As for Vietnam, the conflict would continue long after the US had exited its military adventure in Southeast Asia.

Updated and revised, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this is an accessible introduction to the most important event of the “American Century.”

Table of Contents

Introduction
Background to War
Warring Sides
Outbreak
The Fighting
The World Around War
How the War Ended
Conclusion and Consequences
Chronology
Further Reading
Index

Product details

Published Jan 18 2022
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 144
ISBN 9781472851123
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Fully illustrated in colour and b&w
Dimensions 8 x 6 inches
Series Essential Histories
Short code ESS
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Andrew Wiest

Dr Andrew Wiest is University Distinguished Profes…

Resources

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