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Enduring Vietnam : an American generation and its war

Author

Wright, James Edward, 1939-2022 author.

Title

Enduring Vietnam : an American generation and its war / James Wright.

Format

Book

Edition

First edition.

Published

New York : Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press, 2017. ©2017

Description

xvi, 445 pages : maps ; 25 cm

Notes

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• Introduction: a generation goes to war
• Memorial days
• Dong Ap Bia: becoming Hamburger Hill
• Passing the torch to a new generation
• Receiving the torch
• Not their father's way of war
• The Vietnam War in America
• The American war in Vietnam
• Getting out of this place
• Duck and cover
• Enduring Vietnam: a story that has no end.

Summary

The Vietnam War is largely recalled as a mistake, either in the decision to engage there or in the nature of the engagement. Or both. Veterans of the war remain largely anonymous figures, accomplices in the mistake. Critically recounting the steps that led to the war, this book does not excuse the mistakes, but it brings those who served out of the shadows. Enduring Vietnam recounts the experiences of the young Americans who fought in Vietnam and of families who grieved those who did not return. By 1969 nearly half of the junior enlisted men who died in Vietnam were draftees. And their median age was 21--among the non-draftees it was only 20. The book describes the "baby boomers" growing up in the 1950s, why they went into the military, what they thought of the war, and what it was like to serve in "Nam." And to come home. With a rich narrative of the Battle for "Hamburger Hill, " and through substantial interviews with those who served, the book depicts the cruelty of this war, and its quiet acts of courage. James Wright's Enduring Vietnam provides an important dimension to the profile of an American generation--and a rich account of an American War. -- Publisher description

Subject headings

Vietnam War, 1961-1975--United States. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Influence.

ISBN

9781250092489 hardcover 1250092485 hardcover 9781250092496 electronic book 1250092485 1250092493