This is my second book by Mr. Leib. I find him to be a great author and holds not only the war,but America in context of the 60's. There is no doubt to any of us that lived through that era that the war, the country, and our people were surely at risk. America as we knew it had to change and luckily it did. Let us hope that history will not repeat that era. I will read all his books as his insight is great.

When read with it predecessor, Liebs "The Fire Dream", this book provides the best of worst of the Vietnam War in a moving account of the life of a soldier as seen through the eyes of a man who wants to live and let live yet is forced to kill. I have never read a more realistic account of what it was like to be there and am doubtful that I ever will.

Drawn from the hearts, minds, and guts of those who served, this book tells it like it really happened to the individual soldier in-country. Even more telling is the life of the soldier after he came home--what happened with his friends, family, and his own personal life. This book is not only for and about the veteran, but for any one who lived through the WAR in Vietnam. The reader will find an attachment with the individuals in each chapter, and find themselves drifting back in time to those days that they had tried so hard to forget or hide.

The pains of a long-past war are revealed here--told by those who have lived with the pain daily for 30+ years. Their stories are a beacon pointing the way toward respect for the soldiers of today, and rememberance of those who went before.

I, like a lot of other Veterans, do not induldge in a lot of reading on the Vietnam war. It is much to hard for us to go back to that place with our minds. Mainly because our bodies will follow. This is a way of life for us. Alot of books talk of Vietnam and the hardships and life of the soldiers. This book goes right to the heart of the subject. This book lets the soldier that was there in that foxhole or bunker tell what he saw and felt. He told it with vivid unabridged clarity, that is the only way that it can be told and told truefully. This book is one that a veteran will pick up many times. He may not be able to read it all at once. But even after he has read the whole book, he will go back to the book again and again. This book should be read by every American. Because this is what the was really like

The title of this book is misleading. Marr's topic is not 1945 alone but the period beginning in 1940, when the Germans conquered France and the colonial adminisrators at the other end of the huge Eurasian landmass were left in confusion -- a period that reached a climax of sorts in 1945, with the surrender of the Japanese and the inevitable manuveuring among the various contending factions within Indochina for power in the post-war picture.

Back in 1940....some of the French colonials were happy to follow the lead from the new Vichy govt in France (the puppets of the Germans) and so to co-operate with the Japanese. Others had more or less open Gaullist sympathies. One develops some sympathy, in the course of this book, for the Gaullists -- who must have thought, after the liberation of their country in Europe in 1944, that they were entitled to a restoration of the colonial status quo ante as their share of the post-war settlement.

Early in 1945, the Japanese decided the French could no longer be trusted to run Indochina in Japan's interests, and they placed it under the control of their own military. This put the French and the VC in an odd alliance. It was also a very ineffective alliance -- the Japanese remained firmly in control up to the time their god/emperor told them in a radio address the war was over and they must lay down their arms.

In these events, and much more (I can't convey the thoroughness of Marr's account in this review!), one comes to see the future, the next thirty years of it!, as so much inevitable misery, like a wound-up spring destined to uncoil slowly and painfully for all concerned.

So read this book to give yourself the background for any understanding of those 30 years. If you can bear to do so.

Scholar and Vietnam historian, David G. Marr has created a work of epic scope in his finely tuned account of the year that saw the end of World War II and defined the postwar world. The detailed study of Allied, Japanese, and Vietnamese involvement during the war and in the postwar maneuver for dominance in Vietnam, is essential for the reader who seeks to probe the politics of a cold war struggle that continued to rage for thirty years of land war in Southeast Asia. France was occupied by Nazi Germany in the spring of 1940 while Axis power, Japan, prepared to invade Vietnam in September. With its seaports, airbases, and overland transportation routes, along with its abundant natural resources and rice belts, Vietnam was crucial to Japan's war errort. In Vietnam a French colonial government had ruled its Indochinese Union, exploiting Vietnam's natural resources and manipulating its economy for close to one hundred years. Fearful of losing its colonial possession entirely by force, the French collaborated with Japanese military forces that allowed a functional French colonial administration to sustain the machinations of government in Vietnam from 1942 to 1945. The Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA, began covert operations in Vietnam in the spring of 1943, working directly with respected and admired communist-nationalist, Ho Chi Minh. Substantial research, eye-witness analysis, photgraphs, and extensive footnotes support Marr's account of Ho's newly formed Viet Minh forces working with OSS "Deer Team" operatives to achieve Allied war goals and oppose the Japanese war effort. The year 1945 is to Vietnam what 1776 is to the United States; it marks the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam headed by Ho Chi Minh. Ho made it clear to his US friends that his primary aim was not to promote communism but to achieve independence and self-determination for Vietnam. All Americans who knew him personally saw him first as a nationalist and second as a communist. Japan seized power entirely in Vietnam from a French colonial administration 9March1945. Vietnamese leaders saw the ousting of the French as a window of opportunity. By the end of July with Japan on the brink of defeat, members of the Viet Minh, Indochinese Communist Party, and associated nationalists seized history in what was termed the "August Revolution." A tidal wave of revolutionary and nationalist zeal for independence swept the country. On 2September Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in a public address to a nation unified in its desire for independence, quoting from the United States' Declaration of Independence, "these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Ho concluded his speech with: "Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact has become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilize all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property, in order to safeguard their freedom and independence." Roosevelt opposed colonial aggression and returning Vietnam to France after the war stating that colonialism was dead. Before Roosevelt could enact US foreign policy regarding Indochina he died.The US State Department had little knowledge of or policy regarding Indochina. France's Provisional President, Charles DeGaulle, stated that if the US did not help France in Indochina, then France might be forced into the Soviet orbit. Only the US had a solvent economy at the close of WWII. The US believing France to be crucial in Europe in opposing Soviet expansionism, fully funded DeGaulle in taking back Vietnam from the Vietnamese. While DeGaulle organized a French Expeditionary Force to land, US ships transported British and Indian troops to seize control. Shipping, arms, uniforms, and provisions were supplied by the US. Contrary to orders from Allied Command, British General Douglas Gracey upon arrival 6September, maintained surrendered yet armed Japanese troops for internal security. Great Britain had her own colonies in Asia to put in order, hence, a vested interest in seeing colonial possessions regained. The newly formed government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was efficiently evicted from office. Eventually a French Expeditionary Force arrived and took over with business as usual, imprisonment and massacre. Mr.Marr's text comes alive with first-hand accounts from participants in the extraordinary arena that was 1945. Marr writes of the summer OSS "Deer Team" met with Ho and the Viet Minh. Ho wanted to chat about the US, its history, political ideals, and US support of free, popular governments throughout the world. Team member, Rene' Defourneaux, from New York recalls Ho's arguing in broken English: "Your statesmen make eloquent speeches about helping those with self-determination. We are self-determined. Why not help us. Am I any different from Nehru, Quezon, even your George Washington? Was not Washington considered a revolutionary? I too want to set my people free." With Ho Chi Minh's apparent affinity for the US, for democratic political ideals, and for American friends in the OSS, along with his desire and hopes for a US alliance and support in achieving Vietnamese independence, Marr makes evident that the US had the future of an emerging self-governing Vietnam in the palm of its hand at the close of WWII. The subsequent French and US involvement in Vietnam remains one of the most misled and tragic affairs of the twentieth century.

"Vietnam Medic"is a low key, understated yet serious story of Cliff Roberson's experience as a combat medic with the First Infantry Division in 1967. It is presented in straight diary style, making for fast reading. Touching pieces are the author's efforts to stay in touch with the folks back home, his growing attachment, through the mail, to the nice girl that became his wife and the worry that he won't "screw up" when patching up a buddy while under fire. The descriptions of Army routine on the edge of combat are poignant. It brought back memories of my own waiting for that replacement and especially of my fervent obsession with my "short timer"s calendar! Most enlightening is the author's references to non-combat casualties. Medics had to treat them too and they were a huge problem over there. VM is not helped by the quality of the 30+ year old photos but they do personalize the text. The layout / format of VM are attractive and the map of the Saigon-Di An-Lai Khe area of Vietnam is actually useful! Few military maps are. The more I think about VM, the more I like it. Once again, someone has composed a Vietnam story with yet another fresh perspective. On that basis alone, VM is highly recommended.

Vietnam Medic is a simple, personal, and poignant account of a young man's coming of age with the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Infantry in Vietnam in 1967.

Using a personal diary style, infused with a naive and gentle humor, the author recounts his day to day existence in a war far from home and family. He persistently wonders why HE was there in the thick of "the defining event of a generation." The understated answer emerges as he tells of his involvement in the war--tending to the wounded, terrified by mortars, and even by his possible lack of medical competence, and confronted by death as a matter of fact in fire fights and sorties. He made a difference then, simply by being there and doing his duty with dedication and honor; and in doing so, he was profoundly changed.

This narrative is personal history at its best; a simple retelling of the intimate events of war, which by its very nature is intense, exotic, and mostly incomprehensible. The author is most evocative precisely on this personal level--letting us see and understand the vicissitudes, fear, boredom, doubts, and camaraderie of the Vietnam War. In the end, the author rightly assumes he speaks for many Vietnam vets when he says, "I'm proud I served in Vietnam, but I know I could never stand idly by and let my country get mixed up in another war like Vietnam."

-----Robert C. Haynes, Maj., Medical Corps (1977-1989)

In July of 1968 I found myself standing in line ready to start basic training at Ft Dix N.J. Standing next to me was a hippie - long hair, beard, hippie clothes. That hippie was Mark Jury and over the next two months we became close friends. Mark detested the war, as did I, but he was determined to see it first hand. Mark expected to be assigned to the infantry but in its infinite wisdom, the Army assigned Mark to the Information Service - or some such thing - and gave him free reign to cover Vietnam. The result is this wonderful book. I went on to Offocer Candidate School and ended up in Vietnam several years later. I was assigned to the cushy part of Vietnam working for the generals. Mark shows this part in all its opulent, luxurious silliness but he also shows the dirty part where the "canon fodder"- kids just out of high school - got shot. He shows the Vietnamese hospitals where children misfortunate enough to stumble onto mines were sent. He shows the insanity of racism among the GI's. In a word, he shows it all. The pictures are powerful and they are enhanced by Mark's perceptive commentary. If you want to see what Vietnam was like, read this book.

This book shows it all: the fun, the botherhood, the grief, the stupidity, the arrogance, the cynicism. When someone asks "what was vietnam like?" I set them down with this book. Jury is an honest photojournalist with a young person's eye. The photos are straightforward, clear, well composed, non gimmicky. A good book. Any Vietnam vet should have a copy.

HEART TOUCHING, I MEET MR. SPEARMAN AT 2002 VETERANS DAY IN DC. HE TOLD ME THE BOOK HE WROTE HELPED HIM TO GET WELL! IM SO GLAD IT DID GOD BLESS HIM.

Carey Spearman reaches right for the heart with his poignant vignettes on life in Vietnam and at home. The very cover of his book reveals much about his message: Vietnam's wounds are not just carried by Americans, but by many more; nor are all jungles lush and tropical. The soldier depicted on the cover wears a mix of western and oriental gear. The soldier's shadow is simply a man's--without the trappings of war. The palms trees of Vietnam on the skyline give way to the concrete skyscrapers of urban America. Spearman's year in Vietnam amounted to a lifetime of tending the wounded and maimed of every sort of humanity: man, woman or child carried into the medic's ward. There he began to realize how war wounds not only the soldier, but the family back home, the villager in the jungle, the lover awaiting the letter that never arrives. Like good wine, Spearman's words come from years of reflection and hard work. They reveal a man who has come to terms with his own post traumatic stress and has accepted healing. He sees the world as filled with individuals. War takes it toll one by one. Families of those lost or wounded in Vietam or other conflicts, and anyone who has suffered a significant loss in his or her life will benefit from Spearman's vignettes. If you want to read something charged with deep emotion, yet minus the gore of "war stories," and one that helps to heal inner wounds, Spearman's book: Vietnam Veterans'Homecoming: Crossing the Line will be a wonderful read. For anyone teaching American history, or history buffs, Spearman's book casts a piercing light on the reality of war--its horror and far reaching effects. In language anyone can understand, this book is one I recommend for people who look for wisdom and a sense of peace. They will find both in Carey Spearman's reflections on life as a veteran of a war American wants to forget.

The most comprehensive work that I have seen to date on the subject of the ubiquitous war-time cigarette lighter. Mr. Fiorella concentrates on the most popular brand to be carried in Viet Nam, or any war for that matter, the Zippo. Who would think that a niche area of militaria collecting could be so broad with so many variations? From the slim Zippo to the cut-down variety, to Barcroft table models; those engraved in English, or in Vietnamese, carried by Americans, ARVN's, Cambodians, Koreans; Army, Navy varieties and Marines, this author breezes through all of these areas in clear-cut chapters with plenty of example photos and archival images. One of the most interesting chapters is to be found in the beginning of the book, about a subject that is best tackled first: how do you identify knockoffs? This book is worth it for the photos alone and is soon to be a collector's item. The only book you will ever have to own for this hobby.
NAC

i've read just about everything on Viet Nam, and this book really is fun! Sort of like Michael Herr's "Dispatches" (with photos). Written in realistic prose and accompanied by hundreds of photo's of Vietnam Zippos, and great in-country shots. Lots of non-boring Vietnam War reference material. i couldn't put it down.

The pictures in this book tell a wonderful story of a country in progress and still recovering from years and years of hardship....
Epstein caught the soul of vietnam with this wonderful collection of photo's....

Superb. Among the many books of pictures of Vietnam, this one stands out as simply smarter, prettier, more disturbing and deeper than the rest. Epstein works with images like a novelist or composer, stringing them together in long symphonic wavelike movements. The photos--of daily life deep within the country-are beautiful and upsetting at the same time. Almost impossibly, Epstein allows the complicity of the American involvement in Vietnam into the picture frame, and comments subtly, and at the same time, on his own presence as picture taker, while never losing his visual perfect pitch. A must buy for anyone interested in photography, or our legacy in Vietnam

A great collection of tid bits, with a few rare photos, too

Unique compilation of helicopter operations stories covering the entire period of the US involvement in SEA the '60-'70s. The British author solicited these accounts and photos from veteran aviators who drew them from their memories and provided photos from their personal collections - most photos never seen before as they are not from military files. These are are real, no BS, accounts of what it was like to serve in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine helicoper units in the complex and challenging conditions which made up the US effort to assist the nation of South Vietnam. Numerous short story accounts detailing thrills, terror, humor and pathos which made up the daily lives of military helcopter pilots in Southeast Asia. Great photos of every type helicopter flown in that theater.

An excellent introduction to the war we don't talk about, providing an overview, biographies of principal characters, reprints of important historical documents, and an annotated bibliography. In an age when most history is learned through movies (and WWII seems more "real" than Vietnam)the student with a real desire to understand the Vietnam conflict couldn't find a better place to start.

Dr. Edmonds displays a vast knowledge of the Vietnam War both in the classroom and in print. He is excited about this topic and what he teaches. His theories are based on fact, not fiction, and are well supported. The book displays this knowledge. He talks about cause and effect relationships, propaganda, the history of Vietnam, and the people. He talks about their customs, culture, and how they relate to other nations. It is well-written and easy to understand. The content is well explained, easy to follow, and connective. Everyone who shows an interest in the Vietnam War should read this book. If possible, talk to the professor himself as well. The knowledge one gains from him, however well-educated, will surprise you.