The First Vietnam War: Colonial Conflict and Cold War Crisis

Excellent book.

excellent

This is a good book and shold be a part of everyone's library for a better understanding of events in Vietnam. It is not really a great book and, if you do not have an advanced degree, you need to understand at the outset that this is a Study of Studies and consists of a series of essays by different authors (scholars) on different periods and actions during the period. It is not a history of Vietnam and, if you really want to understand everything that occurred prior to the original French invasion on an educate, civilize, convert or kill them mission instigated by a Jesuit Priest in Tonkin. Prior to that they had enjoyed roughly 1,000 years of freedom and independence after their revolt from China. The mission originally was intended to colonize Vietnam under a "Protectorate." Once you understand this, your vision will begin to clear and you will start to pick up the code words for future civilized barbarism. Like the Title states, this is just a piece of the puzzle but one worthy of pursuit. If you do not have an advanced degree and had desires to obtain one, I would highly recommend this book and a selection of books having to do with Southeast Asia and China. A detailed understanding of this area will significantly improve and enhance one's opportunity for a Department of State position over there (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and China. I highly recommend it. This is book covers basically the period 1945 to 1975. It is limited in scope and it has a number of small errors in it but nothing I do not believe you will be able to correct in the future. It is not nearly as comprehensive as I would like but it is a piece of the puzzle I would not want to be without and would purchase again. It is also interesting to note that, in 1979, The Chinese decided to invade Vietnam North of Cao Bang. They claim that the invasion was to "teach them a lesson for (who knows what). After the loss of 30,000 Chinese soldiers, they withdrew saying "they had taught the Vietnamese the intended lesson and it was over. The Vietnamese had not even mobilized but had used area home guards to kick some butt. The Vietnamese were kind enough to send a thank you note to the Chairman. I absolutely crack up when I think about it.Cao Bang was once a French Outpost on Route Colonial 4 (RC4). It is just Northeast of Hanoi and near the Vietnamese and Chinese border. The entire area is heavily jungled with numerous Karst peaks.Purchase the book if you are truly interested in improving your own knowledge.