Vietnam

A History

By: Stanley Karnow

Narrated by: Edward Holland

In this comprehensive history, Stanley Karnow demystifies the tragic ordeal of America's war in Vietnam. The book's central theme is that America's leaders, prompted as much by domestic politics as by global ambitions, carried the United States into Southeast Asia with little regard for the realities of the region. Karnow elucidates the decision-making process in Washington and Asia, and recounts the political and military events that occurred after the Americans arrived in Vietnam. Throughout, he focuses on people: those who shaped strategy and those who suffered, died, or survived as a result.

Panoramic in scope, and filled with fresh revelations drawn from secret documents and from exclusive interviews with hundreds of participants on both sides, Vietnam: A History transcends the past and contains lessons relevant to the present and future.

©1997 WBGH Educational Foundation and Stanley Karnow (P)1998 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is history writing at its best." (Chicago Sun Times)
"[T]he best journalist writing on Asian affairs." (Newsweek)
"Even those of us who think we know something about [the Vietnam War] will read with fascination." (New York Times)

A Must Read Even For a Vet.

I learned so much from this book, even though I lived through it (1967-1969)and at one of the big pushes by the viet cong against the whole country - 'The Big '68 'TET' offensive'. I have listened to all 4 parts over and over and have learn something new every time. The amazing history of this country and the way this country (USA) just kepted on getting in deeper and deeper. The author has done a "fantastic job" on putting together the history of a place I knew so little of at the young age of 20 - Thank you.

very well writen history by an eyewitness

What made the experience of listening to Vietnam the most enjoyable?

The author was a Vietnam correspondent beginning in 1959. He was there! He managed to get personal interviews with many of the top key players before and after the fall of Saigon laying out an extraordinary vista from the initial intercourse with Europeans to the deluge at the USA's ignoble retreat there. Beautifully done, verging on poetic at times. I may not agree with many of the conclusions he leads towards in this tome but it is well thought out and clearly expressed. Bravo! Well done!

The reader does an excellent job as well.

Definitive

Would you consider the audio edition of Vietnam to be better than the print version?

Yes it is, very easy to listen to, the names and places are difficult to read, but easy on the ear.

What other book might you compare Vietnam to and why?

Any WWII books by Martin Gilbert, or Stalingrad, Stanley Beevor

Have you listened to any of Edward Holland’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Good grief no, way too long. Best ingested in small doses.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely the definitive history of Vietnam, up to 1975ish

Not exactly what I expected

If you could sum up Vietnam in three words, what would they be?

Lacking military aspect

What did you like best about this story?

Not too much - but it was perhaps my own fault

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to hear how the political and military machinations intertwined but I discovered too late that this is purely a political history - the military events are referred to only when they impinged on the political. It is a truly extensive political history of Vietnam so for those interested in that aspect it is excellent. I take full responsibility for not enjoying it as much as I'd hoped - it just isn't what i thought it would be and so should have investigated it more thoroughly before buying it.

Definitive History of Vietnam - Outstanding!

I am an avid history buff, and most of my "listening" reading is historical. I first read Stanley Karnow's history of Vietnam when it was first published years ago, and it was terrific. So I was interested to reread it via Audible. I find myself learning different things when I listen to a historical work after reading it. I am even more appreciative of Karnow's work after my second go around! If you want to understand what Vietnam was all about, this is by far your best source.
Karnow was a journalist who spent a great deal of time in Vietnam, before, during and after the war. He gives the history and background of the country, going back centuries and including all the external forces that have plagued Vietnam through the ages. He spent lots of time with the people, and his interviews with major political and military figures from all sides - French, South Vietnamese, North Vietnamese, Cambodian and of course American - are fascinating. His understanding and insights into the military and political strategies and machinations of all factions are amazing. This is an extremely well-researched book that is so well written that it is hard to put down. The narrator (Edward Holland) does a great job, too. He reads at a comfortable pace with a good story teller's involvement that has me convinced he is genuinely immersed in the material. One of the best histories I have experienced through Audible.

Good book.

I thought this was a good book. It's just a shame the way we were drug into that war, then how we were left to manage the load in a corrupt country. Kennedy got us into this mess, and I think it's funny how most people forget that fact. And I find it ironic how the corrupt south vietnamise government is so much like the governments of Afghanistan and Iraq. When will we ever learn.......

Great book about VietNam from an objective POV!

I truly enjoyed this book. It's so historically accurate, even after 30+ years since it was written. It presents good background information to understand how the Vietnamese people felt about foreign invaders, starting with the Chinese, then during the colonial French years, and finally, the American Yankees bent on fighting Communism, based on the "domino effect" prevalent during the 50s and 60s. In perspective, it is sad to see how we Americans continue to believe that we must impose democracy on all peoples, while sometimes creating a government/power vacuum (can we say Iraq again?) and yet we continue to repeat history.
If you're a history buff, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed!

A must read

Fantastic book. Made my time on the treadmill something to look forward to! I think I lost 5 pounds listening to this. Completely fascinating.

2nd time

I've read this book before and it is an amazing history of Vietnam. Listening to it as a refresher and it's just as good as remembered.

More of a political than a military history

An account of the political backdrop to the Vietnam war, with a brief history of the country itself and a summary of French involvement in Indo China. Though key battles are discussed, the discussion is less in the vein of a military history than as an extension of the underlying political dynamic.