Bernard B. Fall (Book order)

Bernard B. Fall Book order

Bernard B. Fall was a distinguished war correspondent and historian specializing in Indochina during the mid-20th century. Possessing a profound understanding of local societies and a critical eye for military tactics, he presciently foresaw the failures of France and the United States in the Vietnam Wars. His work is characterized by a sharp analytical approach, driven by a desire to comprehend the complex political and social forces shaping the region. Fall's dedication to truth and his presence on the front lines cemented his legacy as a vital observer of modern warfare.

Street without Joy

424 pages
15 hours of reading

4.2(1794)Add rating

First published in 1961 by Stackpole Books, Street without Joy is a classic of military history. Journalist and scholar Bernard Fall vividly captured the sights, sounds, and smells of the brutal-- and politically complicated--conflict between the French and the Communist-led Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina. The French fought to the bitter end, but even with the lethal advantages of a modern military, they could not stave off the Viet Minh insurgency of hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, booby traps, and nighttime raids. The final French defeat came at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, setting the stage for American involvement and a far bloodier chapter in Vietnam's history. Fall combined graphic reporting with deep scholarly knowledge of Vietnam and its colonial history in a book memorable in its descriptions of jungle fighting and insightful in its arguments. After more than a half a century in print, Street without Joy remains required reading.