Strategies and Insights from the Vietnam Conflict
Bob Baker, a Vietnam veteran and accomplished author, has compiled a list of books that he believes are essential for readers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the US war in Vietnam, its successes, and its failures.
Baker, who has penned numerous articles for esteemed publications such as Small Wars Journal, The Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, The American Intelligence Journal, The Drop, The INTSUM, and The Forge, highly recommends the works of Tim O'Brien. O'Brien, a renowned author, has written several significant books on the subject, including the memoir If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home (1973), the novel Going After Cacciato (1978), and the story collection The Things They Carried (1990). These works explore the complexity, moral ambiguity, and personal burdens of soldiers in Vietnam.
Other highly recommended reads include those suggested by Karl Marlantes, a decorated veteran who delves into the moral ambiguities and warrior mentality of the war. Marlantes recommends books that offer a nuanced understanding of the conflict, focusing on both the soldier's experience and the humanity of the opposing side.
To gain a deeper insight into the perspectives of Vietnam veterans, Tim O'Brien's works are essential, supplemented by recommended readings from authors like Karl Marlantes. These books collectively cover personal memoirs, fiction, and thematic explorations of the war's successes and failures from a soldier's viewpoint.
For those interested in the political infighting in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Lien-Hang T. Nguyen's book, "Hanoi's War: An International History of the War for Peace in Vietnam" (2012), is a valuable resource. For an unvarnished view of the war from the North Vietnamese perspective, readers can turn to "Victory in Vietnam: The Official History of the People's Army of Vietnam, 1954-1975," translated by Merle L. Pribbenow (2002).
Mark Moyar's book, "Phoenix and the Birds of Prey: The CIA's Secret Campaign to Destroy the Viet Cong" (1997), provides a detailed account of the Phoenix Program, one of the most misunderstood programs of the Vietnam War. Andrew R. Finlayson's book, "Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968" (2013), is the best book about Marine long-range recon teams in Vietnam and offers valuable insights for modern reconnaissance units.
Geoffrey Shaw's book, "The Lost Mandate of Heaven: The American Betrayal of Ngo Dinh Diem, President of Vietnam" (2015), explains the removal of President Diem by anti-Diem Americans and the consequences of this action. The book also highlights the importance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in determining North Vietnam's ultimate success.
Fifty years ago, the US military's direct involvement in Indochina came to an end with an American A-7 Corsair returning to its base in Thailand after bombing a target in Cambodia. However, the US military later regretted forgetting many lessons from their years of combat experience during the Vietnam War.
These books, recommended by a Vietnam veteran and author like Bob Baker, provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Vietnam War, its successes, and its failures, offering readers a valuable insight into this significant historical event.
1) Bob Baker, a Vietnam veteran and accomplished author, also suggests strategies for modern military reconnaissance units to learn from the experiences of Andrew R. Finlayson's book, "Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968."
2) To gain a broader intelligence perspective on the Vietnam War, readers might find value in Lien-Hang T. Nguyen's book, "Hanoi's War: An International History of the War for Peace in Vietnam" (2012), which delves into the political infighting in North Vietnam during the conflict.
3) It is interesting to note that despite the US military's subsequent regrets over forgetting lessons from its Vietnam War experience, as stated in the text, authors like Tim O'Brien, Karl Marlantes, and others have written books that carefully explore the successes and failures of the war, offering a valuable form of military entertainment and education.
