Vietnam (2^nd Ed.)
Explaining America's Lost War
Contesting the Past Series

• Looks at many facets of Vietnam War, examining central arguments of scholars, journalists, and participants and providing evidence on both sides of controversies around this event
• Addresses key debates about the Vietnam War, asking whether the war was necessary for US security; whether President Kennedy would have avoided the war had he lived beyond November 1963; whether negotiation would have been a feasible alternative to war; and more
• Assesses the lessons learned from this war, and how these lessons have affected American national security policy since
• Written by a well-respected scholar in the field in an accessible style for students and scholars

Preface viii

1 From the Streets to the Books: The Origins of an Enduring Debate 1

2 A Necessary War or a Mistaken War? 23

3 "Kennedy Exceptionalism," "Missed Opportunity for Peace," or "Lost Victory?": The Movement toward War, 1961–1965 49

4 The Revisionist Critique of the "Strategy for Defeat": The Clausewitzian Alternative 84

5 The Revisionist Critique of the "Other War": The "Hearts-and-Minds" Prescription for Victory 111

6 The Media and the War: Irresponsible or Balanced Journalism? 133

7 The Tet Offensive: Decisive American Victory or Devastating Loss? 155

8 Nixon–Kissinger and the Ending of the War: A "Lost Victory" or "Neither Peace nor Honor?" 179

9 Conclusion: The War's "Lessons" 209

Bibliography 218

Index 221