The Vietnam War: Handbook of the Literature and Research

by James S. Olson

Overview

This is a scholarly assessment of broad-ranging research on the Vietnam War over the last seventeen years by the editor of the prize-winning Dictionary of the Vietnam War. James Olson and his contributors offer fascinating insights as they evaluate the significant literature, films, and TV programs, offering different perspectives on the historical background; strategy and conduct of the war; the perspectives of Americans, the Indochinese, women, minorities, and veterans; the impact of the war on the homefront; and major problems and issues in the aftermath of the war.

This one-volume major reference covers all genres of literature, primary and secondary sources, personal narratives and oral histories, fiction and non-fiction, popular accounts, expert studies of military strategy and operations, Indochinese studies, books about the involvement and role of women and blacks, and discussions about Indochinese refugees, prisoners of war, those missing in action, veterans and post-traumatic shock. Films, TV programs, comic books and studies pointing to the effect of the war on the homefront and on others make up an important part of the book. A full index makes the volume easily accessible to students, scholars, and professionals in military studies, American and world history, American studies and popular culture, political science and international relations—an important acquisition for libraries of all kind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313274220
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/13/1993
Pages:	536
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.12(d)

About the Author

JAMES S. OLSON is a Professor of History, Sam Houston State University. He is the author or editor of many books in American and world history, including Dictionary of the Vietnam War (1988), Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism (1991), and the Dictionary of United States Economic History (1992), all published by Greenwood Press.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
General Background and Primary Sources
The Strategy of the War
The Conduct of the Vietnam War
Minorities and the Vietnam War
The Homefront and American Culture
Aftermath of the War
Appendix: Filmography
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Olson, a professor of history at Houston State University and editor of the Dictionary of the Vietnam War ( LJ 3/1/88), here joins with 14 contributing authors to offer an excellent, comprehensive examination of the literature of the Vietnam War. The work skillfully surveys the conflict's military, political, social, and cultural aspects as covered in scholarly and popular books, fiction, film, television, comic books, and other sources produced during and after the war. Particular strengths are the discussion of Indochinese history, the experiences of American minority groups, and the inclusion of materials published as recently as 1992. Weak points are few: inconsistent critical analysis of the covered materials and an uneven writing style owing to the number of contributors. Still, these flaws do not detract from the work's importance as a solid introduction to Vietnam War studies as well as a collection development tool for librarians. Recommended for all academic libraries and middle to large public libraries.-- Stephen L. Hupp, Capital Univ. Lib., Columbus, Ohio

Library Journal

The Vietnam War has been over for 17 years, and a tremendous number of books on the conflict have been published during that time. This handbook provides a discussion by various scholars of the major works. It is divided into 23 chapters, each an extended bibliographic essay that treats one of a variety of topics, such as military strategy, air power, peace negotiations, Indo-Chinese refugees, prisoners of war, and women's and blacks' participation in the war. The essays emphasize the scholarly rather than the popular literature, although some popular books like David Halberstam's are included. Only English-language works are discussed, with an emphasis on those published in the U.S. A valuable part of each chapter is the extensive bibliography. A filmography in an appendix gives film title, year of release, and director, but no other information. Certain films listed, such as "Star Wars", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", and "The Fountainhead", have a tenuous connection to the Vietnam War. The book concludes with author and subject indexes There are several bibliographies of fiction on the Vietnam War (e.g., "The Vietnam War in Literature" ["RBB" My 1 93]), but this work stresses nonfiction. Academic and public libraries that need a work that summarizes and evaluates the most important writings on the war will want to purchase "The Vietnam War: Handbook of the Literature and Research".

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