A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam,   ISBN:9780156013093

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An absolutely brilliant read that sheds a bright light on the history of the Viet Nam war under Creighton Abrahms. A must read for any student of the period.A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam

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Lewis Sorley reviews the Vietnam war during Gen. Creighton Abram's tenure and examines why strategy and tactics matter. Sorley relied upon previously classified information, largely audio tapes, of conversations among Abrams, his staff, and a series of U.S. government and South Vietnamese military officials to recreate the history of Vietnam post-Westmorland. He provides an alternative to the widely-held view that the U.S. was militarily defeated in Vietnam and shows why personalities and intellects matter, and why without public support, the war effort was doomed. Sorley helps us to understand why abandoning the South Vietnamese violated every expression of support that the U.S. had previously provided, and how the North Vietnamese, with their Russian and Chinese benefactors, took advantage of the signed "peace accord" to destroy the South Vietnamese military.

Essential reading for those who want to know more about American foreign policy during the Vietnam years, and how that policy would later lead to our creation of the Taliban monster in order to defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Does not ask whether we should have fought in Vietnam, but picks up with the U.S. already fighting, and losing, under the direction of Westmorland, his replacement by Abrams, and the rapid improvement in the war effort. Well worth reading: well written, fact-based, and provides insights into the political and military processes that led to our withdrawal and the subsequent defeat of the South Vietnamese. Puts the South Vietnamese military into a whole new light, and connects the dots between a military's performance and its political and financial support.

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Thanks to Lewis Sorley. This is an objective history. The truth is very difficult to bear. God bless the men and women who fought for the Republic of South Vietnam.

JR

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As a student of history and war, this book is relevent today. Excellent read with details not collated in other books...must read for students and Officers.

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Good book. Some of the reviewers who didn't like the book make some valid points but overall the book was good (not great). Yes, Sorley worships Abrams but I think the point is that one good man can make a big difference. That's the power of good, effective leadership (see General Petreaus in Iraq or Field Marshall Templar in Malaysia). Abrams, Bunker, and Colby understood the problem which is 90% of the battle in formulating a winning strategy. If you don't understand the problem you won't come up with a winning plan. Abrams and crew correctly understood the problem and turned things around. How effective they were is still up for debate but Sorley I think does a good job at least of giving the reader some things to think about. The war was winnable and losing was not a foregone conclusion which many writers, journalists and politicians like to claim. Just like Iraq we can succeed in these conflicts when we understand the problem / enemy. It took us a few years in Iraq but we turned it around. Its not perfect but its getting better.

I enjoyed Sorley's insights into the disconnect between Abrams and company and Washington. The Pres / JCS / Depts of Defense and State were all not on the same page with each other or the guys on the ground. Another lesson for today.

Also found interesting the dynamics of dealing with Congress, the press and public opinion. Once again all still very relevant issues in today's operating environment.

For those that enjoy this subject this is a good read with some different opinions.