Hi, I've always wanted to deepen my understanding of the Vietnam War. So I'd like to ask you fellow redditors where do I start? Which books would you consider to be reference works? Which ones should I stay far away from?
Thank you!
Always more to recommend, but we do have a few options in our booklist that might be of interest.
One book that I'm not seeing on the list that might be a good introduction specifically to the Vietnam War is George C. Herring's America's Longest War, which gets used frequently as a text in university classes. As such it's gone through a number of revised editions since it was first published, and I believe the newest is the fifth edition from 2013.
I would definitely recommend, though not a book, the Ken Burns documentary series on the Vietnam war!
Also: My Lai: 1968, and the Descent into Darkness by Howard Jones is a very good book - incredibly compelling. About the My Lai massacre but also discusses other things
The Max Hastings book (not sure if these are on the list as it won’t load) is very comprehensive!