The First Mistake: America In Vietnam 1945-1954

When writing about the Vietnam War most scholars focus on the 1960s. But in this hard-hitting analysis eminent historian Dr. J. Edward Lee focuses instead on the key period of 1945 to 1954 the first decade of Americas Vietnam War experience. He suggests that as the Cold War commenced in 1945 America failed to remember our nations own revolutionary experience and the importance of independence and self-determination missing an opportunity to build a positive relationship with Ho Chi Minh when we aided the return of French colonialism instead of working with him to achieve his countrys independence from imperialist France. A must-read for university classes studying the 20th century veterans groups and anyone interested in the gritty history of the Vietnam War.