America and Vietnam, 1954-1963 - by Michael M Walker (Paperback)

About the Book

"The conventional narrative of the Vietnam War often glosses over the decade leading up to the United States' escalation of the ground war in the mid-1960s. Covering the years 1954-1963, this book presents a thought-provoking reexamination to the war's long prelude, from the aftermath of French defeat at Dien Bien Phu through Hanoi's decision to begin reunification by force to the assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. Established narratives of key events are given critical reappraisal and new light is shed on neglected factors. The strategic importance of Laos is revealed as central to understanding how the war in the South developed"--

Book Synopsis

The conventional narrative of the Vietnam War often glosses over the decade leading up to it. Covering the years 1954-1963, this book presents a thought-provoking reexamination of the war's long prelude--from the aftermath of French defeat at Dien Bien Phu--through Hanoi's decision to begin reunification by force--to the assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. Established narratives of key events are given critical reappraisal and new light is shed on neglected factors. The strategic importance of Laos is revealed as central to understanding how the war in the South developed.

Review Quotes

"An exceptionally well-researched and written history...outstanding...This is an informative book that answers many questions about how the United States wound up fighting in Vietnam in a much-expanded conflict. It is well worth the time to read."-VVA Veteran

"In a masterful and concise manner author Mike Walker has drawn together three foundational pillars that explain why the American Vietnam War took the fateful path it did. Author Walker makes plain the fact that it was the Cold War, Laos and the murder of Ngo Dinh Diem which constitute the crucial stepping-stones paving the path to war. Accordingly, this book clears away the fog that the orthodox school of Vietnam War history have so carefully created and lays bare the real terrain which, in turn, makes this book a must read for any serious scholar of that conflict."-Dr. Geoffrey D. T. Shaw, Ph.D., author of The Lost Mandate of Heaven and director of the Alexandrian Defense Group.

"Michael Walker has written a truly groundbreaking, factual, unbiased and thoroughly researched history of the key years leading up to the beginning of the American phase of the Vietnam War."-Col. Andrew R. Finlayson, USMC (Ret), author of Killer Kane and Rice Paddy Recon

"This is a tale that Walker ably tells."-H-Net Reviews

"Walker's work is significant because it presents this period largely (though not exclusively) from Hanoi's view rather than from America's point of view. Observing the U.S.'s path to war this way allows him to establish a unique framework, into which he maps American and South Vietnamese actions, that forms the structure of his book....Walker's work is a solid addition to the body of scholarly work on U.S. involvement in Vietnam. It is well researched, bringing together information from an extensive set of sources, and offers fresh insights into critical events. Scholars and students of the history of warfare will appreciate the rigorous approach Walker has taken to his topic and the depth of his research, while knowledgeable readers and war history enthusiasts will appreciate that he has made information from an impressive range of sources available to them. The book is well written and highly readable. It can be enjoyed by scholars, students, or history enthusiasts, and could be a valuable supplemental text for classes on the Vietnam War."-The Journal of Military History

"With this superb account of the early years of the Vietnam War, Michael Walker bolsters the growing body of research that refutes the longstanding conventional wisdom. It should be read by anyone interested in understanding how and why the United States went to war in Vietnam."-Mark Moyar, author of Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965

"An exceptionally well-researched and written history...outstanding...This is an informative book that answers many questions about how the United States wound up fighting in Vietnam in a much-expanded conflict. It is well worth the time to read."--VVA Veteran

"In a masterful and concise manner author Mike Walker has drawn together three foundational pillars that explain why the American Vietnam War took the fateful path it did. Author Walker makes plain the fact that it was the Cold War, Laos and the murder of Ngo Dinh Diem which constitute the crucial stepping-stones paving the path to war. Accordingly, this book clears away the fog that the orthodox school of Vietnam War history have so carefully created and lays bare the real terrain which, in turn, makes this book a must read for any serious scholar of that conflict."--Dr. Geoffrey D. T. Shaw, Ph.D., author of The Lost Mandate of Heaven and director of the Alexandrian Defense Group.

"Michael Walker has written a truly groundbreaking, factual, unbiased and thoroughly researched history of the key years leading up to the beginning of the American phase of the Vietnam War."--Col. Andrew R. Finlayson, USMC (Ret), author of Killer Kane and Rice Paddy Recon

"This is a tale that Walker ably tells."--H-Net Reviews

"Walker's work is significant because it presents this period largely (though not exclusively) from Hanoi's view rather than from America's point of view. Observing the U.S.'s path to war this way allows him to establish a unique framework, into which he maps American and South Vietnamese actions, that forms the structure of his book....Walker's work is a solid addition to the body of scholarly work on U.S. involvement in Vietnam. It is well researched, bringing together information from an extensive set of sources, and offers fresh insights into critical events. Scholars and students of the history of warfare will appreciate the rigorous approach Walker has taken to his topic and the depth of his research, while knowledgeable readers and war history enthusiasts will appreciate that he has made information from an impressive range of sources available to them. The book is well written and highly readable. It can be enjoyed by scholars, students, or history enthusiasts, and could be a valuable supplemental text for classes on the Vietnam War."--The Journal of Military History

"With this superb account of the early years of the Vietnam War, Michael Walker bolsters the growing body of research that refutes the longstanding conventional wisdom. It should be read by anyone interested in understanding how and why the United States went to war in Vietnam."--Mark Moyar, author of Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965

About the Author

Michael M. Walker, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) served in the Marine Corps for 26 years as an infantry and intelligence officer to include three tours in the Pacific-East Asia region, one in Europe, and two in Southwest Asia. He lives in Meridian, Idaho.