Vietnam War

The Vietnam War: An Encyclopedia of Quotations presents the story of this seminal conflict as told through the words of the famous, infamous, and anonymous. All sides of the controversy are presented in chronological resource that starts with a look at Vietnamese history, then traces the events preceding France's war, continues through America's entry into the conflict, and concludes with the war's aftermath.This is the story of the Vietnam War told through quotations in chronological sequence. Starting with the beginnings of Vietnamese history, it traces the events preceding the French war, continues through the American war, and ends with its aftermath. All sides of the controversy are represented. Here are the voices of warriors, presidents, generals, government leaders, civilians, aid workers, pilots, infantrymen, nurses, historians, war correspondents, sociologists, POWs, peasants, draft dodgers, guerillas, and war resisters. They speak from government capitals, hooches, hospital wards, jungle trails, landing zones, aircraft carriers, draft boards, Buddhist temples, and prison cells. They talk of firefights, ambushes in the jungle, bombing raids, coups, assassinations, suicides, demonstrations, atrocities, and teach-ins.Here are Ho Chi Minh, Lyndon Johnson, Giap, Westmoreland, Kennedy, De Gaulle, Eisenhower, Nixon, McNamara, Kissinger, and many people you have never heard of. Meet Hanoi Hannah, who broadcast propaganda from the North Vietnamese capital; John McCain tells you what it was like to be shot down over enemy territory and taken prisoner; John Kerry tells a U.S. Senate committee why he opposes the Vietnam War. You will learn about My Lai, Agent Orange, Kent State, the Pentagon Papers, and the plan to free American POWs that went awry. Features include a chronology, biographical sketches, Medal of Honor winners, bibliography, nineteen photos, and an index.

"[T]he memory of the war still evokes strong emotions, and this book will go some way towards explaining them." - Reference Reviews, "This volume presents the story of the Vietnam War as told through the words of both prominent figures and ordinary people in a variety of documents, including historical records, speeches, eyewitness accounts, battle reports, and letters. Organized chronologically into six chapters, the quotations provide insight into all sides of the controversy. Chapter introductions by Langer provide a backdrop to what is to follow. The volume also features a chronology, biographical sketches, and a list of Medal of Honor winners." - Reference & Research Book News, "Libraries with large collections of Vietnam material may want to add it in the circulating collection rather than reference collection." - National Catholic Reporter, "Langer has put together nearly 600 short quotes from hundreds of first-hand participants and observers of the Vietnam War, in chronological order. Langer offers many points of view, along with biographical sketches of those who are quoted." - Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin, "[W]ill find a place on not only college-level library shelves, but many a public library reference section....An in-depth, revealing guide. Howard J. Langer's The Vietnam War: An Encyclopedia of Quotations will find a home in any college-level collection strong in Vietnam War references. This encyclopedia presents the story of the war through the words of many who observed or took place in the controversy, beginning with a focus on Vietnamese history then events from France's initial war to U.S. involvement." - MBR Bookwatch

Howard J. Langer is an independent author and editor. He has been a journalist, magazine editor, textbook editor, and publications director for publishing companies and organizations. His recorded interviews are part of the Smithsonian-Folkways collection. He is the author of American Indian Quotations (Greenwood, 1996), World War II: An Encyclopedia of Quotations (Greenwood, 1999), and America in Quotations: A Kaleidoscopic View of American History (Greenwood, 2002).