An American Ordeal: The Antiwar Movement of the Vietnam Era

Syracuse Studies on Peace and Conflict Resolution

by Charles DeBenedetti

An American Ordeal is a comprehensive interpretive history that covers the anti-war movement in the USA throughout the entire Vietnam era. This study offers a narrative of the struggle that took place on the home front, even as the war itself was being waged in South-east Asia. Portraying the movement as a social force that energized people culturally yet failed to develop enduring political strength, the authors view the war as part of the long tradition of peace activism in America, as well as a process that ultimately spurred citizens to take decisive action against their government's policy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Charles DeBenedetti was a professor of history at the University of Toledo in Ohio, where he taught from 1968 until his death in 1987. A founding member of the Interfaith Justice and Peace Center in Toledo DeBenedetti earned his B.S. from Loyola University in 1964, and his M.A. (1965) and Ph.D. (1968) from the University of Illinois.

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mainstream, generally nuanced history of the national anti-war movement from 1955-75. The research in the archives of national organizations is impressive. The author is clearly on the side of those whom he labels "anti-war liberals" and those from traditional pacifist organizations such at the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the War Resisters League. Not surprisingly, he is quite critical of the counter-culture's influence in the anti-war movement. His analysis of the anomalies and paradoxes of the anti-war movement is thought-provoking.

[John Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

JWW is quoted on page 330-31.

[gadabout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dryly written and a bit excessive with words, but otherwise an incredibly well put-together book on both the Vietnam War and the domestic unrest it caused. Great for reference.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely thorough, thoughtful, and nuanced look at the Vietnam anti-war movement(s).

[Elise Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invaluable resource for A Time to Cast Away Stones.