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The Vietnam War cover art

The Vietnam War

Written by: Geoffrey C. Ward, Ken Burns
Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Ken Burns, Brian Corrigan
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Publisher's Summary

From the award-winning historian and filmmakers of The Civil War, Baseball, The War, The Roosevelts, and others: a vivid, uniquely powerful history of the conflict that tore America apart - the companion volume to the major multipart PBS film to be aired in September 2017.

More than 40 years after it ended, the Vietnam War continues to haunt our country. We still argue over why we were there, whether we could have won, and who was right and wrong in their response to the conflict. When the war divided the country, it created deep political fault lines that continue to divide us today. Now, continuing in the tradition of their critically acclaimed collaborations, the authors draw on dozens and dozens of interviews in America and Vietnam to give us the perspectives of people involved at all levels of the war: US and Vietnamese soldiers and their families, high-level officials in America and Vietnam, antiwar protestors, POWs, and many more. The book plunges us into the chaos and intensity of combat, even as it explains the rationale that got us into Vietnam and kept us there for so many years. Rather than taking sides, the book seeks to understand why the war happened the way it did and to clarify its complicated legacy. Beautifully written, this is a tour de force that is certain to launch a new national conversation.

©2017 Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns (P)2017 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What the critics say

"Lucid, flowing, and dramatic...robustly detailed writing...eye-opening...powerful in its own right.... In their new 'intimate' yet capacious history, the award-winning, audience-enthralling duo of historian and screenwriter Ward and documentarian extraordinaire Burns investigate the complex, divisive, and tragic Vietnam War from a unique plurality of perspectives." (Donna Seaman, Booklist)

"The melancholy tone of Ken Burns's voice exactly suits the mood of this history of the Vietnam War... Burns adds no false drama but always reads with a tone of respect for the front-line combatants and the earnest opponents.... Overall, the audio does the print version full justice." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Vietnam War

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  • Rob
  • 2017-11-29

STUNNING

A bilateral, seemingly unbiased and in-depth review of the Vietnamese war saga. Listen and learn!

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Glad I Did

Glad I listened to this. Born in 1958 I have early memories of hearing on the news about the Vietnam war. I now have a much better understanding of the issues surrounding this historical time

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Best Complete Book

This Was By Far The Best Overall Book I've Read On Vietnam 🇻🇳 & Would Highly Recommend It For Anyone Who Wants To Know The History For Both Sides & All Political Angles...

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Very well put together

Great insight into what happened. I was very interested from beginning to end. Can't say enough

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Excellent overview - from both sides

This overview of the vietnam war was very good. Describing key events from both sides. A must read to understand what happened. Bravo!!

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A Case for PEACE, not WARS!

The brutality and grisly details in the battlefields are vivid reminders that wars cannot be won. The EPILOGUE summed it up nicely that America did loss the war in Vietnam, but it ultimately had won by the successful adoption of capitalism by the Vietnamese.

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Great Book

A great mix of everything, from on the ground accounts to the politics behind it. On both sides.
Great Read

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A Masterpiece!

"The Vietnam War" was captivating, extremely moving, balanced and educational. One, if not the best, historical documentaries I have ever encountered. Everyone needs to hear this story.

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great

great book and fantastic narration. Ken burns is the best . I don't have 15.more words

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A Must Read for All

Great book! It mostly gives the perspective from the Americans side (good, bad and ugly), but also gave very important insights from the North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese. An important read for all to remember what humans are capable of.

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