Thanks for reminding us about Bernard Fall. Two other nonfiction books that are just as well written, thoughtful and compelling are WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE AND YOUNG, by Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway, and ABOUT FACE by David Hackworth. The first is about the 1965 battle of Ia Drang, where the "air cavalry" dropped U.S. soldiers near the Cambodian border, into the middle of NVA regulars. The second book was Hackworth's memoirs of his combat in Vietnam, co-authored with a screenwriter. He left the army as the youngest full colonel, after going on TV in 1971 to say that the Vietnam war was unwinnable.
I've actually read We Were Soldiers Once. Although it's been a very long time. We used to sing about the Ia Drang valley in the service (cadence). It's odd now with the younger generation. They hardly know what this war was. Let alone the French Indochina war. And it had such a huge impact on the American psyche when I was growing up. Great comments and recommendations Diane!
@@GrammaticusBooks I didn't read this comment before I left mine. I'm right there with you regarding the younger generation. It's kinda scary. I'm due for a reread of We Were Soldiers Once and Young as well. I started Generation Kill a while back but got sidetracked. I definitely want to give that one a good read as well.
I just finished 'The Wager' and the crew that shipwrecks off the coast of Patagonia talk about this very problem of not being able to accurately determine longitude. Two fascinating books you highlight. Excellent recommendations.
Fascinating subject matter G. I so wish I was made aware of the 1st book 40 years ago. I would have devoured it. Now I fear it might just break my TBR shelf. But hey, ya never know. You sure make it tempting. I hate to be that guy, but I find it shocking how little the younger generation knows about the history of Vietnam. Oh hell ... I guess I am that guy. 😂
I must re-read both, they are great. I forgot about Maskelyne. Longitude would make a decent Netflix series, as would Hell in a Very SMall Place. I would recommend Bernard Fall's other book: Street without Joy.
14 years later General Giap tried to recreate his success at Dien Bien Phu on Khe Sanh. while at Khe Sanh Giap had more men and artillery. and better firepower than what he had in Dien Bien Phu, the USMC defenders simply dwarfed the NVA besiegers in terms of firepower with not only artillery support but also air support. USA dropped 115K tons of bombs on the NVA at Khe Sanh about the same tonnage dropped on Japan in WW2. and Lyndon Johnson really did not want a repeat of Dien Bien Phu that he kept a scale model of the base in the white house which was regularly updated. and reportedly he examined it often. At Khe Sanh 68 , the results were very much different compared to Dien Bien Phu , the USMC suffered around 2500 casualites which included 200 dead. the NVA to this day refuse to give a number of on how many of their troops became casualties in the battle. US official estimates range from 10-15K casualties.
@@GrammaticusBooks I highly recomend in terms of tv shows, Battlefield Vietnam ep. seige at Khe sanh most detailed video account of the battle. and Vietnam 10K day war Siege episode. For books I highly recomend Campaign 150 Osprey book Khe Sanh 1967-68
as said before for other media on the battle of Dien bien phu I highly recomend the following Video Vietnam 10K day war ep 3 Dien Bien Phu Battelfield Vietnam ep 1 Dien Biden Phu Book Osprey Campaign 366 Battle of Dien Bien Phu Board wargames The Lost Valley Siege of Dien Biden phu solitaire White dog games Dien Bien Phu the final gamble(Legion wargames) Movies Dien Bien Phu 1992 stars Donald Pleasance probably the best movie on the war.
The French should have never been over there. North Vietnam was fighting for their Freedom(even if it would be under Communist control) The US was so worried about Communism.... we were more worried about Russia than Germany.(how many German rocket man got freedom in the US instead of prison?) Ho Chi Minh's hero was Thomas Jefferson. There is a movie about the Vietnam War... but it shows the side of NVA, US troops, villagers, and South Vietnamese Army... The army in the South sometimes beat up on villagers for information on the NVA.... then the NVA also beat up on the villagers. So these Farmers were trapped in the middle. Harm to the female population and also death. So farmers/villagers had to pick who was better. Tough choice in a Land with War all around you.
Indeed! It was a complicated war in a complicated time. One point that Fall brings out in the novel was the French recruitment and use of "mobile bordello groups". Yes, that's exactly what it sounds like.
@@GrammaticusBooks ill have to pick up that book. It is interesting what the French and British did.... years before Vietnam and also 60s and 70s. Even into the 80s with British and North Ireland.
Never heard of this book. Thanks for the great review.
You’re welcome Mike! And thanks for checking it out. For a definitive historical book it flies under the radar.
Thank you, I'd never heard about these, and Fall's book seems to be right up my alley.
Hell is an excellent book. But not a casual read. But a rewarding one.
Thanks for reminding us about Bernard Fall. Two other nonfiction books that are just as well written, thoughtful and compelling are WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE AND YOUNG, by Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway, and ABOUT FACE by David Hackworth. The first is about the 1965 battle of Ia Drang, where the "air cavalry" dropped U.S. soldiers near the Cambodian border, into the middle of NVA regulars. The second book was Hackworth's memoirs of his combat in Vietnam, co-authored with a screenwriter. He left the army as the youngest full colonel, after going on TV in 1971 to say that the Vietnam war was unwinnable.
I've actually read We Were Soldiers Once. Although it's been a very long time. We used to sing about the Ia Drang valley in the service (cadence). It's odd now with the younger generation. They hardly know what this war was. Let alone the French Indochina war. And it had such a huge impact on the American psyche when I was growing up. Great comments and recommendations Diane!
@@GrammaticusBooks I didn't read this comment before I left mine. I'm right there with you regarding the younger generation. It's kinda scary. I'm due for a reread of We Were Soldiers Once and Young as well. I started Generation Kill a while back but got sidetracked. I definitely want to give that one a good read as well.
@@buckocean7616 I think Generation Kill was an HBO series as well. And a pretty good one.
I just finished 'The Wager' and the crew that shipwrecks off the coast of Patagonia talk about this very problem of not being able to accurately determine longitude. Two fascinating books you highlight. Excellent recommendations.
Longitude is a great quick read Benja. Sounds like it might be something up your alley as well.
I will add Hell in a Very Small Place to my TBR. Street Without Joy was on the short list for my 40 before 40.
It's the perfect companion to Street Without Joy Joseph...which I need to add to my list!
Fascinating subject matter G. I so wish I was made aware of the 1st book 40 years ago. I would have devoured it. Now I fear it might just break my TBR shelf. But hey, ya never know. You sure make it tempting. I hate to be that guy, but I find it shocking how little the younger generation knows about the history of Vietnam. Oh hell ... I guess I am that guy. 😂
Hey Buck! No problem. If time is an issue, the book Longitude might be a better option. It's almost a single sitting book.
This is brilliant. You should do more reviews of non fiction books.
You are correct sir! And I intend to mix in a few more non-fictions going forward. Thank you for checking out the video!
Sounds like two different but excellent books. Thanks for putting them on my radar.
They are good books Seth! Longitude is a great quick little read.
Very informative, Grammaticus. Thanks!
You are most welcome sir! Thank you for checking out the video Jim!
Anytime! I always enjoy your content.
good job
Thank you and thank you for checking out the video!
I must re-read both, they are great. I forgot about Maskelyne. Longitude would make a decent Netflix series, as would Hell in a Very SMall Place. I would recommend Bernard Fall's other book: Street without Joy.
I looked at Street Without Joy DDB, very tempting...
14 years later General Giap tried to recreate his success at Dien Bien Phu on Khe Sanh. while at Khe Sanh Giap had more men and artillery. and better firepower than what he had in Dien Bien Phu, the USMC defenders simply dwarfed the NVA besiegers in terms of firepower with not only artillery support but also air support. USA dropped 115K tons of bombs on the NVA at Khe Sanh about the same tonnage dropped on Japan in WW2. and Lyndon Johnson really did not want a repeat of Dien Bien Phu that he kept a scale model of the base in the white house which was regularly updated. and reportedly he examined it often. At Khe Sanh 68 , the results were very much different compared to Dien Bien Phu , the USMC suffered around 2500 casualites which included 200 dead. the NVA to this day refuse to give a number of on how many of their troops became casualties in the battle. US official estimates range from 10-15K casualties.
Thanks John. And I was seriously considering finding a book on Khe Sanh after reading Hell in a Very Small Place. Good timing!
@@GrammaticusBooks I highly recomend in terms of tv shows, Battlefield Vietnam ep. seige at Khe sanh most detailed video account of the battle. and Vietnam 10K day war Siege episode. For books I highly recomend Campaign 150 Osprey book Khe Sanh 1967-68
Check out The Centurions by Jean Larteguy.
I'll take a look Jim. Thanks for the tip!
Viet minh small arms at the battle is fascinating a hodge podge of weapons of Chinese, US, Soviet, Japanese and French manufacture.
Gotta love insurgencies for variety!
as said before for other media on the battle of Dien bien phu I highly recomend the following
Video
Vietnam 10K day war ep 3 Dien Bien Phu
Battelfield Vietnam ep 1 Dien Biden Phu
Book
Osprey Campaign 366 Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Board wargames
The Lost Valley Siege of Dien Biden phu solitaire White dog games
Dien Bien Phu the final gamble(Legion wargames)
Movies
Dien Bien Phu 1992 stars Donald Pleasance probably the best movie on the war.
I'd love to get my hands on a copy of the boardgame! I think I've seen the movie. Albeit ages ago. Good info John.
The French should have never been over there. North Vietnam was fighting for their Freedom(even if it would be under Communist control) The US was so worried about Communism.... we were more worried about Russia than Germany.(how many German rocket man got freedom in the US instead of prison?) Ho Chi Minh's hero was Thomas Jefferson. There is a movie about the Vietnam War... but it shows the side of NVA, US troops, villagers, and South Vietnamese Army... The army in the South sometimes beat up on villagers for information on the NVA.... then the NVA also beat up on the villagers. So these Farmers were trapped in the middle. Harm to the female population and also death. So farmers/villagers had to pick who was better. Tough choice in a Land with War all around you.
Indeed! It was a complicated war in a complicated time. One point that Fall brings out in the novel was the French recruitment and use of "mobile bordello groups". Yes, that's exactly what it sounds like.
@@GrammaticusBooks ill have to pick up that book. It is interesting what the French and British did.... years before Vietnam and also 60s and 70s. Even into the 80s with British and North Ireland.