Synopses & Reviews
The main premise
The Vietnam Wars is that Vietnam experienced not one but several over-lapping and often inter-dependent wars. This lively new source book chronicles the history of one of the bloodiest and most controversial conflicts of the twentieth century, beginning with the birth of the Vietnamese communist party in 1930 and ending with the triumph of the Vietnamese revolution in 1975. Through a series of short essays, but most especially through the documents themselves, the book illustrates and illuminates both the conflict and the main historical debates about its origins, course and consequences.
Synopsis
This source book chronicles the history of the most controversial conflict of the 20th century, beginning with the birth of the Vietnamese communist party in 1930 and ending with the Vietnamese revolution in 1975. The text combines short essays with original documents to illustrate the debate. Alongside the dominating American intervention, the study also focuses on the international dimension of the conflict, particularly the role of the Soviet, Chinese and British; but it is the Vietnamese perspective that remains key.
Synopsis
The main premise
The Vietnam Wars is that Vietnam experienced not one but several over-lapping and often inter-dependent wars. This lively new source book chronicles the history of one of the bloodiest and most controversial conflicts of the twentieth century, beginning with the birth of the Vietnamese communist party in 1930 and ending with the triumph of the Vietnamese revolution in 1975. Through a series of short essays, but most especially through the documents themselves, the book illustrates and illuminates both the conflict and the main historical debates about its origins, course and consequences.
About the Author
Kevin Ruane is Principal Lecturer in History at Canterbury Christ Church University College.
Table of Contents
War and Revolution * The Franco-Vietminh War * War Renewed * The Struggle for South Vietnam * The American War * Wars of Peace * Assessments and Reflections