Vietnam's Forgotten Army : Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN by Andrew Wiest (2007, Hardcover)

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About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherNew York University Press
ISBN-100814794106
ISBN-139780814794104
eBay Product ID (ePID)60502854

Product Key Features

Number of Pages368 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication NameVietnam's Forgotten Army : Heroism and Betrayal in the Arvn
SubjectMilitary / General, Military / Vietnam War
Publication Year2007
TypeTextbook
AuthorAndrew Wiest
Subject AreaHistory
FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height0.6 in
Item Weight23.5 Oz
Item Length9 in
Item Width6 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional
LCCN2007-029782
Dewey Edition22
Reviews"This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)—the South Vietnamese army—during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries." - Library Journal ,, No book about the Vietnam War can be simply a book about the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army appears in the midst of a raging debate over American armed interventions abroad and over the proper lessons to draw from Vietnam for the war in Iraq., "While tactical history can seem stilted and dry at times, Andrew Wiest, in Vietnam's Forgotten Army, presents an enriched and dynamic history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) by chronicling the careers of two of ARVN's best young officers, Tran Ngoc Hue and Pham Van Dinh, as they fought in the Vietnam War. Wiest seeks to dispel the myth of the ARVN as an ineffective fighting force... The value of Vietnam's Forgotten Army lies in the author's appreciation for ARVN fighting prowess and the book's interesting perspective of the Vietnam War." - Military Review ,, This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)--the South Vietnamese army--during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries., "Wiest's excellent book helps to fill a yawning void in the history of the Vietnam War." - Journal of Military History ,, "Wiest's excellent book helps to fill a yawning void in the history of the Vietnam War." -Journal of Military History, "No book about the Vietnam War can be simply a book about the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army appears in the midst of a raging debate over American armed interventions abroad and over the proper lessons to draw from Vietnam for the war in Iraq." - The Nation ,, Andrew Wiest has written a genuinely important book, which should be read by anyone seriously interested in the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN tells the intertwined stories of two competent, dedicated, and very effective officers whom Wiest calls 'the two brightest young stars' of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)., "Wiest'e(tm)s excellent book helps to fill a yawning void in the history of the Vietnam War." - Journal of Military History, No book about the Vietnam War can be simply a book about the Vietnam War. Vietnams Forgotten Army appears in the midst of a raging debate over American armed interventions abroad and over the proper lessons to draw from Vietnam for the war in Iraq., "No book about the Vietnam War can be simply a book about the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army appears in the midst of a raging debate over American armed interventions abroad and over the proper lessons to draw from Vietnam for the war in Iraq." - The Nation, While tactical history can seem stilted and dry at times, Andrew Wiest, in Vietnam's Forgotten Army, presents an enriched and dynamic history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) by chronicling the careers of two of ARVN's best young officers, Tran Ngoc Hue and Pham Van Dinh, as they fought in the Vietnam War. Wiest seeks to dispel the myth of the ARVN as an ineffective fighting force... The value of Vietnam's Forgotten Army lies in the author's appreciation for ARVN fighting prowess and the book's interesting perspective of the Vietnam War., "This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)_the South Vietnamese army_during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries." - Library Journal ,, "Wiest's excellent book helps to fill a yawning void in the history of the Vietnam War." - Journal of Military History, "This sympathetic biography of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, mid-level officers in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), provides a unique perspective among American war histories. . . . [Readers] will gain new respect for the mishandled South Vietnamese army." - Publishers Weekly ,, "This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)—the South Vietnamese army—during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries." - Library Journal, "This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)--the South Vietnamese army--during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries." - Library Journal, This sympathetic biography of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, mid-level officers in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), provides a unique perspective among American war histories. . . . [Readers] will gain new respect for the mishandled South Vietnamese army., "While tactical history can seem stilted and dry at times, Andrew Wiest, in Vietnam's Forgotten Army, presents an enriched and dynamic history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) by chronicling the careers of two of ARVN's best young officers, Tran Ngoc Hue and Pham Van Dinh, as they fought in the Vietnam War. Wiest seeks to dispel the myth of the ARVN as an ineffective fighting force... The value ofVietnam's Forgotten Armylies in the author's appreciation for ARVN fighting prowess and the book's interesting perspective of the Vietnam War." -Military Review, "This sympathetic biography of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, mid-level officers in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), provides a unique perspective among American war histories. . . . [Readers] will gain new respect for the mishandled South Vietnamese army." - Publishers Weekly, "No book about the Vietnam War can be simply a book about the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army appears in the midst of a raging debate over American armed interventions abroad and over the proper lessons to draw from Vietnam for the war in Iraq." The Nation "This is a fascinating study of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)--the South Vietnamese army--during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. . . . This well-written, compassionate study is a major contribution to most libraries." Library Journal "This sympathetic biography of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, mid-level officers in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), provides a unique perspective among American war histories. . . . [Readers] will gain new respect for the mishandled South Vietnamese army." Publishers Weekly "Exceptional, both in content and readability. Vietnam's Forgotten Army addresses one of the lacunas in the historiography of the war -- the story of the South Vietnamese soldier, a story that more often than not is totally ignored or only given the briefest of consideration. The authors vivid description of combat and its toll put a human face on what for many historians is merely a clinical discussion of unit moves, victories and defeats." James H. Willbanks, Director, Department of Military History, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College " Vietnam's Forgotten Army offers a compelling account of two heroic ARVN officers who, in the final years of the war, choose diametrically opposed courses of action. One surrenders, and enjoys a relatively easy subsequent life, but is plagued by guilt. His comrade-in-arms remains true to the Republic, suffers many years of separation, imprisonment and deprivation, but ultimately finds fulfilment. In the process of telling this remarkable story, Wiest offers a better understanding of the trials and travails of those who served in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam." James R. Reckner, Director, The Vietnam Center, Texas Tech University, "While tactical history can seem stilted and dry at times, Andrew Wiest, in Vietnam's Forgotten Army, presents an enriched and dynamic history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) by chronicling the careers of two of ARVN's best young officers, Tran Ngoc Hue and Pham Van Dinh, as they fought in the Vietnam War. Wiest seeks to dispel the myth of the ARVN as an ineffective fighting force... The value of Vietnam's Forgotten Army lies in the author's appreciation for ARVN fighting prowess and the book's interesting perspective of the Vietnam War." - Military Review, "While tactical history can seem stilted and dry at times, Andrew Wiest, in Vietnam'e(tm)s Forgotten Army, presents an enriched and dynamic history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) by chronicling the careers of two of ARVN'e(tm)s best young officers, Tran Ngoc Hue and Pham Van Dinh, as they fought in the Vietnam War. Wiest seeks to dispel the myth of the ARVN as an ineffective fighting force... The value of Vietnam'e(tm)s Forgotten Army lies in the author'e(tm)s appreciation for ARVN fighting prowess and the book'e(tm)s interesting perspective of the Vietnam War." - Military Review, ("Andrew Wiest has written a genuinely important book, which should be read by anyone seriously interested in the Vietnam War. Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN tells the intertwined stories of two competent, dedicated, and very effective officers whom Wiest calls 'the two brightest young stars' of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)." )-(War in History),()
IllustratedYes
Dewey Decimal959.704/3320922 B
Table Of ContentAcknowledgmentsForeword by James Webb Preface:Welcome to America Introduction: Welcome to Vietnam 1 Coming of Age in a Time of War 2 A War Transformed: Battle, Politics, and the Americanization of the War, 1963-1966 3 Fighting Two Wars: Years of Attrition and Paci?cation, 1966-1967 4 A Time for Heroes: The Tet Offensive 5 After Tet: The Year of Hope 6 Hamburger Hill: The Untold Story of the Battle for Dong Ap Bia 7 A War Transformed: Vietnamization, 1969-19708 Shattered Lives and Broken Dreams: Operation Lam Son 9 The Making of a Traitor10 Journeys Home: Life in the Wake of a Lost WarConclusion Notes Bibliography Index About the Author
SynopsisExceptional, both in content and readability. Vietnams Forgotten Army addresses one of the lacunas in the historiography of the war -- the story of the South Vietnamese soldier, a story that more often than not is totally ignored or only given the briefest of consideration. The authors vivid description of combat and its toll put a human face on what for many historians is merely a clinical discussion of unit moves, victories and defeats. --James H. Willbanks, Director, Department of Military History, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College"Vietnam's Forgotten Army offers a compelling account of two heroic ARVN officers who, in the final years of the war, choose diametrically opposed courses of action. One surrenders, and enjoys a relatively easy subsequent life, but is plagued by guilt. His comrade-in-arms remains true to the Republic, suffers many years of separation, imprisonment and deprivation, but ultimately finds fulfillment. In the process of telling this remarkable story, Wiest offers a better understanding of the trials and travails of those who served in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam." --James R. Reckner, Director, The Vietnam Center, Texas Tech UniversityVietnams Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN chronicles the lives of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, two of the brightest young stars in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Both men fought with valor in a war that seemed to have no end, exemplifying ARVN bravery and determination that is largely forgotten or ignored in the West. However, while Hue fought until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and then endured thirteen years of captivity, Dinh surrenderedand defected to the enemy, for whom he served as a teacher in the reeducation of his former ARVN comrades.An understanding of how two lives that were so similar diverged so dramatically provides a lens through which to understand the ARVN and South Vietnams complex relationship with Americas government and military. The lives of Dinh and Hue reflect the ARVNs battlefield successes, from the recapture of the Citadel in Hue City in the Tet Offensive of 1968, to Dinhs unheralded role in the seizure of Hamburger Hill a year later. However, their careers expose an ARVN that was over-politicized, tactically flawed, and dependent on American logistical and firepower support. Marginalized within an American war, ARVN faced a grim fate as U.S. forces began to exit the conflict. As the structure of the ARVN/U.S. alliance unraveled, Dinh and Hue were left alone to make the most difficult decisions of their lives.Andrew Wiest weaves historical analysis with a compelling narrative, culled from extensive interviews with Dinh, Hue, and other key figures. Once both military superstars, Dinh is viewed by a traitor by many within the South Vietnamese community, while Hue, an expatriate living in northern Virginia, is seen as a hero who never let go of his ideals. Their experiences and legacies mirror that of the ARVNs rise and fall as well as the tragic history of South Vietnam., Details the divergent journeys of two of the brightest young leaders in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, 2009 Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award for Biography Examines South Vietnam's complex relationship with the United States through the stories of two Vietnamese soldiers' diverging paths Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN chronicles the lives of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, two of the brightest young stars in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Both men fought with valor in a war that seemed to have no end, exemplifying ARVN bravery and determination that is largely forgotten or ignored in the West. However, while Hue fought until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and then endured thirteen years of captivity, Dinh surrendered and defected to the enemy, for whom he served as a teacher in the reeducation of his former ARVN comrades. An understanding of how two lives that were so similar diverged so dramatically provides a lens through which to understand the ARVN and South Vietnam's complex relationship with America's government and military. The lives of Dinh and Hue reflect the ARVNs battlefield successes, from the recapture of the Citadel in Hue City in the Tet Offensive of 1968, to Dinhs unheralded role in the seizure of Hamburger Hill a year later. However, their careers expose an ARVN that was over-politicized, tactically flawed, and dependent on American logistical and firepower support. Marginalized within an American war, ARVN faced a grim fate as U.S. forces began to exit the conflict. As the structure of the ARVN/U.S. alliance unraveled, Dinh and Hue were left alone to make the most difficult decisions of their lives. Andrew Wiest weaves historical analysis with a compelling narrative, culled from extensive interviews with Dinh, Hue, and other key figures. Once both military superstars, Dinh is viewed by a traitor by many within the South Vietnamese community, while Hue, an expatriate living in northern Virginia, is seen as a hero who never let go of his ideals. Their experiences and legacies mirror that of the ARVNs rise and fall as well as the tragic history of South Vietnam., 2009 Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award for Biography Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN chronicles the lives of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, two of the brightest young stars in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Both men fought with valor in a war that seemed to have no end, exemplifying ARVN bravery and determination that is largely forgotten or ignored in the West. However, while Hue fought until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and then endured thirteen years of captivity, Dinh surrendered and defected to the enemy, for whom he served as a teacher in the reeducation of his former ARVN comrades. An understanding of how two lives that were so similar diverged so dramatically provides a lens through which to understand the ARVN and South Vietnam's complex relationship with Americas government and military. The lives of Dinh and Hue reflect the ARVNs battlefield successes, from the recapture of the Citadel in Hue City in the Tet Offensive of 1968, to Dinhs unheralded role in the seizure of Hamburger Hill a year later. However, their careers expose an ARVN that was over-politicized, tactically flawed, and dependent on American logistical and firepower support. Marginalized within an American war, ARVN faced a grim fate as U.S. forces began to exit the conflict. As the structure of the ARVN/U.S. alliance unraveled, Dinh and Hue were left alone to make the most difficult decisions of their lives. Andrew Wiest weaves historical analysis with a compelling narrative, culled from extensive interviews with Dinh, Hue, and other key figures. Once both military superstars, Dinh is viewed by a traitor by many within the South Vietnamese community, while Hue, an expatriate living in northern Virginia, is seen as a hero who never let go of his ideals. Their experiences and legacies mirror that of the ARVNs rise and fall as well as the tragic history of South Vietnam.
LC Classification NumberDS557.5.W54 2007

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  • the Title correctly sums up the Book's narrative and should be of interest to other Vet's.

    Being a Vietnam veteran myself and after having read this Book I have a new perspective on the events before, during and after my tour(Aug 67-Aug 68) that occurred.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: New

  • great

    Informative

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned