This passionate, epic account of the Vietnam War centres on Lt Col John Paul Vann, whose story illuminates America's failures & disillusionment in SE Asia. A field adviser to the army when US involvement was just beginning, he quickly became appalled at the corruption of the S. Vietnamese regime, their incompetence in fighting the Communists & their brutal alienation of their own people. Finding his superiors too blinded by political lies to understand the war was being thrown away, he secretly briefed reporters on what was really happening. One of those reporters was Neil Sheehan.--Amazon (edited) Neil Sheehan was a Vietnam War correspondent for United Press International & the NY Times & won a number of awards for reporting. In 1971 he obtained the Pentagon Papers, which brought the Times the Pulitzer gold medal for meritorious public service. A Bright Shining Lie won the National Book Award & the Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction. He lives in Washington DC. Maps The funeral Going to war Antecedents to a confrontation The Battle of Ap Bac Taking on the system Antecedents to the man A second time around John Vann stays Acknowledgments Interviews Documents Source Notes Bibliography Index About the Author
Neil Sheehan Book order (chronological)
Neil Sheehan was an American journalist whose work profoundly shaped the understanding of the Vietnam War. As a reporter for The New York Times, he obtained the classified Pentagon Papers, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case that revealed a critical history of the conflict. His deep engagement with the war's events and their impact on individuals and society is evident in his acclaimed book, which delves into the life of Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Vann and America's involvement in Vietnam. Sheehan's approach was characterized by a commitment to uncovering truth and exploring complex moral and political questions.




Die Pentagon-Papiere
Die geheime Geschichte des Vietnamkrieges - Einzige vollständige Ausgabe der von der New York Times veröffentlichten Geheimpapiere und Kommentare
- 684 pages
- 24 hours of reading
Described as "the WikiLeaks of its day" (Time), this work remains crucial to understanding contemporary American politics. It served as the foundation for the 2018 film 'The Post' and comprises a series of articles, documents, and studies that reveal the Johnson Administration's misleading narratives about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, exposing the true extent of America's role in the conflict. Originally published by 'The New York Times' in 1971, it captivated a divided nation with its shocking revelations. 'The Washington Post' deemed it "the most significant material in American history," highlighting its ongoing relevance as a testament to the necessity of a free press and First Amendment rights. The work illustrates how the government systematically misled both the public and Congress. This edition features contributions from notable journalists, covering key events from the Truman and Eisenhower years through to the Tet Offensive, along with analyses, court records, and biographies of key figures. With a new foreword by James L. Greenfield, this Pulitzer Prize-winning narrative is poised to spark discussions about government deception and the role of the press, offering insights into both historical and current issues to foster a better understanding of the future.