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Tet!

The Turning Point in the Vietnam War

Don Oberdorfer

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Finalist for the 1971 National Book Award

In early 1968, Communist forces in Vietnam launched a surprise offensive that targeted nearly every city, town, and major military base throughout South Vietnam. For several hours, the U.S. embassy in Saigon itself came under siege by Viet Cong soldiers. Militarily, the offensive was a failure, as the North Vietnamese Army and its guerrilla allies in the south suffered devastating losses. Politically, however, it proved to be a crucial turning point in America's involvement in Southeast Asia and public opinion of the war. In this classic work of...

Finalist for the 1971 National Book Award

In early 1968, Communist forces in Vietnam launched a surprise offensive that targeted nearly every city, town, and major military base throughout South Vietnam. For several hours, the U.S. embassy in Saigon itself came under siege by Viet Cong soldiers. Militarily, the offensive was a failure, as the North Vietnamese Army and its guerrilla allies in the south suffered devastating losses. Politically, however, it proved to be a crucial turning point in America's involvement in Southeast Asia and public opinion of the war. In this classic work of military history and war reportage—long considered the definitive history of Tet and its aftermath—Don Oberdorfer moves back and forth between the war and the home front to document the lasting importance of this military action. Based on his own observations as a correspondent for the Washington Post and interviews with hundreds of people who were caught up in the struggle, Tet! remains an essential contribution to our understanding of the Vietnam War.

Reviews

Reviews

Tet! is a rare commodity in war chronicles and a book that justifies its own exclamation mark... A pioneering work.

The author's reconstruction of the battle ranks with the best war reporting of World War II and Korea.

[Oberdorfer] has written here a book which should take its place alongside the historical volumes about Vietnam of Bernard Fall and Robert Shaplen.

It is essential reading for everyone concerned about the Vietnam war—and the making of American foreign policy... An important as well as a fascinating book.

Oberdorfer gives suspense to history. This is what reporting should be.

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.5
x
8.5
Pages
440
ISBN
9780801867033
Illustration Description
44 halftones, 4 line drawings
Table of Contents

Preface to the Johns Hopkins Edition
Preface to the Original Edition
I. "THEY'RE COMING IN!"
II. DECISION IN THE NORTH
III. AMERICA ON THE EVE
IV. ATTACK!
V. THE SHOCK WAVE
VI. DEATH IN THE HUE
VII. AMERICA

Preface to the Johns Hopkins Edition
Preface to the Original Edition
I. "THEY'RE COMING IN!"
II. DECISION IN THE NORTH
III. AMERICA ON THE EVE
IV. ATTACK!
V. THE SHOCK WAVE
VI. DEATH IN THE HUE
VII. AMERICA THE VINCIBLE
VIII. TURNAROUND
Afterword
Chronology
Chapter notes, Acknowledgments and Sources
Index
Maps

Author Bio
Featured Contributor

Don Oberdorfer, B.A.

Don Oberdorfer was a diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post from 1976 until his retirement in 1993. His other books include From the Cold War to a New Era, also available in paperback from Johns Hopkins, and The Two Koreas.