The authors knowledge is impressive and the book is well written and worth reading. However, like the Ken Burns documentary series on Vietnam, it comes from a Left Liberal view point. This view neglects any success and highlights both the failures and the idea that it was always for nothing. I must admit that I was quite surprised to read in a book published in 2015 that the Tet Offensive was not an Allied victory. The Communists obtained none of their objectives and neither the people nor the ARVN went over to them. While I found this viewpoint frustrating and at times simply wrong, I think the books advantageous outweight any negatives. ( )

Very strong material on Vietnam, its legacy and meaning . ( )

History, Non-Fiction, War, Politics, Vietnam War