An International History of the Vietnam War: The Kennedy Strategy. By R. B. Smith. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1985. xii, 429 pp. Tables, Maps, List of Abbreviations, Notes, Bibliography, Index. $25 (cloth). - America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950–1975 By George C. Herring 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986. xiv, 317 pp. Suggestions for Additional Reading, Index, Maps. $34.95 (cloth).

1987 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-222
Author(s):  
Douglas Pike
1973 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Ellis

A review of peace abstracts indicates that wars generally increase the proportional level of behavioral research pertaining to peace, but that this has been less true for the Vietnam War than for the two previous wars in which the United States has been involved.


1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
R. Steven Daniels ◽  
Carolyn L. Clarke-Daniels

The study of the politics of the Vietnam War raises some interesting dilemmas for both teachers and students. Opinions differ about the importance of the war to the politics and history of the United States. Many books are available concerning the American involvement in the Vietnam war, but most accounts differ from book to book. The relevance of the Vietnam experience needs to be discussed in a broader perspective. Certainly, the Vietnam war was different than any war fought previously by the United States of America.Recently, a professor at a southern university defined war as having winners and losers (c.f. Emerson, 1976). She then asked her 150-student American government class to identify the winner of the Vietnam war. Because no one could provide an answer, her second question concerned the last time American troops were used in a foreign country. The answer the professor was expecting was the Christmas 1989 invasion of Panama. No one made the correct identification. The only student who hazarded a response suggested that the last use of troops was in Nicaragua! If students have difficulty remembering what happened a few months in the past, they are likely to conceive of the Vietnam war as ancient history. Yet, the war provides lessons that future decision makers need to learn.One dilemma for teachers is choice among subject matter. American policies are important, but other factors need examination as well. Should a combination of both American and Vietnamese politics (North and South) be considered? What about those who stayed home, protested, or went to Canada? The material can be overwhelming.


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