Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional History of the war
Review: I was born the year the last American soldier left Vietnam, and I have grown up under the pall that the Vietnam War continues to cast over this nation. The regret and confusion in my parents generation continues in the nation's subconscious, blackening our memories and passing its scars on to the next generation.I read this book after a visit to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. in order to understand the passion and emotion that sit deep in our nation's heart. I was not disappointed. Karnow not only provides a supurb history of Vietnam and its most recently fought war, but also speaks of the intensity of emotion that seared this war into the national consiousness. Karnow provides a textbook understanding of the war with the objectivity of a reporter who followed the events in Vietnam since its French occupation just after World War II. The strength of Karnow's book is that he places the Vietnam War in context of the history of Vietnam. This historical knowledge is essential in understanding America's experience and the many miscalculations made during the conflict. Karnow's book will be read by many generations of people who want to understand this defining moment in American history.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive overview
Review: I was just a little boy during the Vietnam War, so this book has served as an excellent overview of the politics and sociology that made the Vietnam war what it was. This is not a military strategy group, and it is basically what I'd call a view from 10,000 feet. Reading about the inept, and uncaring Johnson administration was very disturbing. To read about Johnson's band of white collar warriors continually receiving recommendations to exit the war from advisors in Vietnam, and the continual sweeping under the table of bad news, all in service of Johnson's political aspirations, made me sick. And frightened if that kind of political hubris is taking place in George W. Bush's administration as the USA embarks on a war with Iraq. There are a number of similarities...old white men who want to play soldier, invasion of a country that the USA does not understand, and whose people really don't want the USA there, and a blind belief that all people of the world seek a USA style political and economic system.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive overview
Review: I was just a little boy during the Vietnam War, so this book has served as an excellent overview of the politics and sociology that made the Vietnam war what it was. This is not a military strategy group, and it is basically what I'd call a view from 10,000 feet. Reading about the inept, and uncaring Johnson administration was very disturbing. To read about Johnson's band of white collar warriors continually receiving recommendations to exit the war from advisors in Vietnam, and the continual sweeping under the table of bad news, all in service of Johnson's political aspirations, made me sick. And frightened if that kind of political hubris is taking place in George W. Bush's administration as the USA embarks on a war with Iraq. There are a number of similarities...old white men who want to play soldier, invasion of a country that the USA does not understand, and whose people really don't want the USA there, and a blind belief that all people of the world seek a USA style political and economic system.
Rating:
Summary: TWO Must reads on Vietnam
Review: I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviewer: "Vietnam: A History" and "The Bamboo Chest: An Adventure in Healing the Trauma of War" must be in everyone's library who wants to get a complete understanding of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, Vietnam post-1975 and US/Soviet involvement.
Rating: 
Summary: Hysterical bombast masquerading as history
Review: I've read everything about the Vietnam War I could get my hands on for the last 20 years and this shrill book stands out as the worst. I sorely regret having spent money on it. If you seek understanding of the conflict check out Sheehan's Bright Shining Lie instead.
Rating:
Summary: Hysterical bombast masquerading as history
Review: I've read everything on about the Vietnam War I could get my hands for the last 20 years and this shrill book stands out as the worst. I sorely regret having spent money on it. If you seek understanding of the conflict check out Sheehan's Bright Shining Lie instead.
Rating: 
Summary: An Exhaustive but Important Work
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A splendid work, now more relevant than ever.
Review: It is difficult to imagine a better one-volume history of the Vietnam War. Karnow provides not only a clear narrative of events, but also excellent background on Vietnamese history and culture, US and world politics, and the personalities involved, so that the reader comes away with a deep understanding of both what happened and why it happened (insofar as the "why" is knowable). Karnow, a correspondent who covered Vietnam during the crucial period, smoothly weaves into the story his own experiences and interviews, without making himself the center of attention. In addition, he writes much more fluidly than the typical journalist-turned-historian. The book also contains numerous photos, maps (which could have used more detail), and a helpful chronology and short biographies of key figures.
Rating:
Summary: VIETNAM: A HISTORY
Review: It took me almost a year to get through this book, but I finally did finish it. I think the only assiumption a vet like myself can arrive at at this book's conclusion, is BOY, DID WE LOSE THAT WAR!!! There is no other way to perceive this ending. They really did us beat us, in every way possible. Many who do not know much about the Vietnam War (in depth) think--to this day--there is still is something we could have done to win the thing. My experience as a UH-1D helicopter pilot with the Outlaws in the Mekong Delta in 1966-67 educated me for a year that could not have been accomplished in any other way. You had to be in-country to learn! Any vet that has been pursuing knowledge of his tour of duty needs to read this book; it should be on your bookshelf!
Rating:
Summary: One of two "must" books for a Vietnam collection
Review: Karnow has the gift. A very meticulous written treatise on the entire Vietnam scene. (Yes, there were others there before the "ugly American".) Details the history, culture, and mind set of the people. Combine this with Palmer's "Summons of the Trumpet", and your library is complete. Throw in Herring and Lewy, then you will understand Vietnam in its entirety....however, Karnow fills in all the blanks and furnishes unanswered questions. An outstanding book written by a scholar who has an intimate insight to Asian culture, politics, and society. Plan on reading it more than once....much material that may take time for the novice to digest. Has an accompanying documentary video series put out by PBS that helps somewhat by giving visual depiction. Bottom line....make this book a "must" in your Vietnam collection.
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