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Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War: Military Information You're Not Supposed to Know
James F. Dunnigan and Albert A Nofi's Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War allows us to see what really happened to American forces in Southeast Asia, separating popular myth from explosive reality in a clear, concise manner.
Containing more than two hundred examinations of different aspects of the war, the book questions why the American military ignored the lessons taught by previous encounters with insurgency forces; probes the use of group think and mind control by the North Vietnamese; and explores the role technology played in shaping the way the war was fought. Of course, the book also reveals the "dirty little secrets," the truth behind such aspects of the conflict as the rise of the Montagnard mercenaries-the most feared group of soldiers participating in the secret war in Laos-and the details of the hidden struggle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
With its unique and perceptive examination of the conflict, Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War offers a critical addition to the library of Vietnam War history.
Containing more than two hundred examinations of different aspects of the war, the book questions why the American military ignored the lessons taught by previous encounters with insurgency forces; probes the use of group think and mind control by the North Vietnamese; and explores the role technology played in shaping the way the war was fought. Of course, the book also reveals the "dirty little secrets," the truth behind such aspects of the conflict as the rise of the Montagnard mercenaries-the most feared group of soldiers participating in the secret war in Laos-and the details of the hidden struggle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
With its unique and perceptive examination of the conflict, Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War offers a critical addition to the library of Vietnam War history.
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 8, 2020
"Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War" is an overview of United States involvement, with a unique format that relies heavily on statistics to make a point. Easy to read, and without hesitation, I recommend this as an excellent starter for students as they will find eye-opening truth about the trappings of foreign policy and military intervention.
The authors managed to compile fourteen chapters of useful data in a relatively small space. It is packed with a broad spectrum of subtopics (too many to list) including high-level government strategy and policy; public debate and the peace movement; Vietnamese culture; French colonialism; tropical weather and diseases; attacks by large insects, snakes, tigers and elephants that seemed to be in the employ of the enemy; and the merits of weapons and tactics used by the troops and aviators.
The title is misleading, but then again, a great deal of the material is not well known to the public. To a high school or college student who knows nothing about Vietnam, most of the information in this book is a secret. The select bibliography was well chosen, although a refreshed version of the book might be helpful with updated material and sources.
A general history rarely pleases everyone, so I was not surprised to find a few negative reviews. Most of the objections were not convincing. Space limitations and the editing process dictates that certain aspects of the subject will get more coverage than others. The authors' style of brief, compartmentalized summaries is not directed at experienced researchers, folks with specialized pockets of knowledge who want to quibble about details, or enthusiasts who are deeply immersed in Vietnam history.
There is a drawback in the technical quality of presentation. The authors did not use footnotes or endnotes to identify sources. They did not write using a strict timeline or chronological order, and that makes it difficult to consider certain facts and opinions in the proper context. While not a pinnacle of scholarship, the depth of research is satisfactory for a panoramic study. Most people will either dodge or embrace the barrage of statistical tables, but the text is clearly written and very entertaining. That makes it more attractive and less intimidating to casual readers.
The authors managed to compile fourteen chapters of useful data in a relatively small space. It is packed with a broad spectrum of subtopics (too many to list) including high-level government strategy and policy; public debate and the peace movement; Vietnamese culture; French colonialism; tropical weather and diseases; attacks by large insects, snakes, tigers and elephants that seemed to be in the employ of the enemy; and the merits of weapons and tactics used by the troops and aviators.
The title is misleading, but then again, a great deal of the material is not well known to the public. To a high school or college student who knows nothing about Vietnam, most of the information in this book is a secret. The select bibliography was well chosen, although a refreshed version of the book might be helpful with updated material and sources.
A general history rarely pleases everyone, so I was not surprised to find a few negative reviews. Most of the objections were not convincing. Space limitations and the editing process dictates that certain aspects of the subject will get more coverage than others. The authors' style of brief, compartmentalized summaries is not directed at experienced researchers, folks with specialized pockets of knowledge who want to quibble about details, or enthusiasts who are deeply immersed in Vietnam history.
There is a drawback in the technical quality of presentation. The authors did not use footnotes or endnotes to identify sources. They did not write using a strict timeline or chronological order, and that makes it difficult to consider certain facts and opinions in the proper context. While not a pinnacle of scholarship, the depth of research is satisfactory for a panoramic study. Most people will either dodge or embrace the barrage of statistical tables, but the text is clearly written and very entertaining. That makes it more attractive and less intimidating to casual readers.
February 4, 2021
I checked this book out from the library. Half of the book was conspiracy theory based stuff and the other half were facts. I did not enjoy this book, and I am glad I did not purchase it. I was not impressed with the content or style of writing. It was disappointing, because I had hoped to learn more about the Vietnam conflict, but alas.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews