A long ago war-still relevant today Misunderstanding remains, and a lot is still unknown, of the Vietnam War. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to the Vietnam War, Second Edition provides an updated and revised guide giving readers the facts. It assesses policies and the reasons for them, shedding light on the controversies regarding the Vietnam War, what has been called the most complicated armed conflict of the 20th century. It offers: • A big-picture look at the politics, public figures, and history of the war in Southeast Asia • Present-tense relevance of Vietnam to the current wars in which the United States, and the rest of the world, is involved • Clarification of details for those who lived through it and an explanation for younger generations

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A guide to the face of modern US warfare in the 21st century. The US Special Operations Forces will be at the forefront of every battle that the US will wage against the war on terrorism.

The Vietnam War examines the conflict from its origins through to 1975 and North Vietnam¿s victory. This new revised edition is completely up-to-date with current academic debates and includes new source material. Mitchell Hall explores all the key elements of the conflict, including: ¿ US motivations for entering the war and the military strategies employed ¿ The role of the media ¿ The rise of domestic opposition ¿ The war¿s impact in the US and Vietnam. Mitchell Hall provides numerous insights into the political decisions of the Vietnamese communists, and Vietnam¿s relations with other major powers, particularly China and the Soviet Union. The main text is supported by a comprehensive documents section, and a range of study tools, including a Chronology of events, Who's Who, a Glossary of terms and a Further Reading section. Concise yet thorough, the book provides students with an accessible and stimulating introduction to the war.

The Vietnam War was unlike any war the United States ever fought. Unlike the previous wars of the twentieth century, the Vietnam War left the United States divided, and it continues to influence U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Without question, the Vietnam Syndrome that emerged after the war's end altered the policies of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and the lessons learned from the war were applied to later conflicts in the Persian Gulf. The Vietnam War story is one that has never been fully understood and probably never will be explained to the satisfaction of those who experienced it – and it will continue to spark debate and controversy for each new generation. The Vietnam War For Dummies attempts to tell that complicated story in a way that is easily accessible to everyone. If you've never read much about the Vietnam War, this book provides a general overview that covers all the major players and significant turning points and events of the war. If you're a history buff, this book can serve as a compact reference guide to the major subjects of the war. The Vietnam War For Dummies covers the following topics and more: The events that led up to the war, from the beginning of the Cold War to when U.S. troops moved into Vietnam A detailed examination of the conflict between North and South Vietnam How U.S. presidents handled Vietnam, from Eisenhower to Nixon Analyses of the major battles of the war, including the Tet Offensives and the Fall of Saigon The effect of the war on American life and culture, including an exploration of the protest movement Thorough analyses of U.S. and Vietnamese battle tactics Top Ten lists debunking myths surrounding the war and highlighting issues and concerns that have arisen from the war Remember that having an understanding of the Vietnam War means knowing that its history is based on perspectives. For any one book that argues a point a specific way, at least two other books will interpret that point another way. You can use The Vietnam War For Dummies as a guide for beginning your examination of one of the most important events in U.S. history.

Shatters culturally accepted myths of the Vietnam War as it reveals the truth about the battles, players, and policies of one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history.

This book reveals the evolving US, Viet Cong and NVA tactics at battalion level and below throughout the Vietnam War. Beginning with a description of the terrain, climate and the unique nature of operations in this theatre of war, the author, a Vietnam veteran himself, goes on to explain how unit organisation was broken down by combatant forces and the impact this had on the kind of tactics they employed. In particular, the author highlights how units were organised in reality on the battlefield as opposed to their theoretical tables of organisation. US tactics included the standard US tactical doctrine as prescribed by several field manuals and in which leaders and troops were rigourously trained. But it also reveals how many American units developed innovative small unit tactics specifically tailored to the terrain and enemy practices. In contrast, this book also reveals the tactics employed by Viet Cong and NVA units including their own Offensive Operations, Reconnaissance, Movement Formations and Security, and Ambushes.

Provides an introduction to the command center for United States miliary operations, and discusses the history of the physical structure, its organization, personnel, and some of its residents including the CIA, NSA, and NIMA.

The Vietnam War was a tragic and dismal failure—at least that is what the mainstream media and history books would have you believe. Yet, Phillip Jennings sets the record straight in The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to the Vietnam War. In this latest “P.I.G.”, Jennings shatters culturally-accepted myths and busts politically incorrect lies that liberal pundits and leftist professors have been telling you for years. The Vietnam War was the most important—and successful—campaign to defeat Communism. Without the sacrifices made and the courage displayed by our military, the world might be a different place. The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to the Vietnam War reveals the truth about the battles, players, and policies of one of the most controversial wars in U.S. history.