Discover books similar to "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam"

Neil Sheehan

A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

"A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam" by Neil Sheehan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the Vietnam War, told through the life of one man, Army officer John Paul Vann. Sheehan, a former New York Times correspondent who covered the war, uses Vann's story to explore the larger political, military, and cultural forces that shaped America's involvement in Vietnam. The book begins with Vann's arrival in Vietnam in 1962, where he served as a civilian advisor to the South Vietnamese army. Vann quickly became disillusioned with the U.S. military's strategy in Vietnam and began to speak out against it, both within the military and to the press. Sheehan uses Vann's experiences to illustrate the ways in which the U.S. government and military leadership failed to understand the complexities of the war and the culture of the Vietnamese people. As the war progressed, Vann returned to Vietnam as a military officer, and Sheehan's account of his service is both a gripping war story and a searing indictment of the U.S. government's handling of the conflict. Sheehan's reporting is based on extensive research, including interviews with Vann and other key figures in the war, as well as government documents and military records. "A Bright Shining Lie" is not only a history of the Vietnam War, but also a meditation on the nature of truth, power, and responsibility. Sheehan raises important questions about the role of the military and the government in times of war, and the moral and ethical implications of their actions. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history of the Vietnam War and the lessons it holds for contemporary military conflicts. In conclusion, "A Bright Shining Lie" is a powerful and thought-provoking account of the Vietnam War, and a testament to the importance of journalism and truth-telling in holding those in power accountable. Sheehan's masterful storytelling and insightful analysis make this book a classic of war literature...