The Ten Thousand Day War – Vietnam: 1945-1975- by Michael Maclear

1981/369 pgs

Vietnam, a war that changed everything about America and how the citizens trust the government.  This novel is about the history of the war and when the United States got involved and why.  As the title suggested, it starts with the United States’ support for Indo-China against the Japanese in 1945. It ends with the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. 

It’s a very well study of the war and hits all the major points in 20 Chapters.  It dives into the infamous French loss at Dien Bein Phu that caused them to leave Vietnam.  Like a snake, it weaves into our involvement with the South and how the cold war keyed our participation.  From each administration that had a roll with Vietnam, from Roosevelt to Ford, Maclear shows the many times that we were projected to leave.  He paints a shocking picture of the Assassination of the president of Vietnam and how it impacted JFK, who would be killed only a few months later. 

He showed how Johnson wanted to win the war and create the Great Society only for all his ambitious plans for fall because of Vietnam.  One of the great highlights is 1968 and how that impacted the United States starting with the Tet Offensive.

This historical tale was easy reading, and not every paragraph crammed with in-depth knowledge.  I absolutely enjoyed reading this and would recommend to anyone that wants to know about Vietnam and why it still is an impact on the United States today.     

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a good book!

Lopaka