In his previous books, most notably "Patterns of war since the 18th century", Larry H. Addington has proven himself a masterful guide to the causes and conduct of war in the western world. In this new book, he turns his narrative skills to a brief history of the war in Vietnam. Not intended as a competitor to the many excellent comprehensive studies of the Vietnam era, this book presents a short, narrative history of the origins, course, and outcome of the America's military involvement in Vietnam. The author begins with a review of the history of Vietnam before the coming of the French, the impact of French imperialism, and the United States's collaboration with Ho Chi Minh during the Second World War. He examines the course of the French Indochina War and the Cold War origins of the early American involvement in Vietnam. He then traces in more detail US policy after the 1954 Geneva Accords, its role in the establishment of a permanent and independent state in South Vietnam and its role in the outbreak of a new war. As his narrative turns to America's deepening involvement in the war, Addington examines the US strategies for waging air and ground war, and the domestic impact of it

"This important work... synthesizes the evolution of warfare from1775 to the present." -- Military Review

A thorough revisionof a highly successful text, this new edition provides a comprehensive picture ofthe evolution of modern warfare.

From reviews of the firstedition:

"There is nothing else in print that tells so muchso concisely about how war has been conducted since the days of Gen. GeorgeWashington." -- Russell F. Weigley

"A superiorsynthesis. Well written, nicely organized, remarkably comprehensive, and laced withfacts." -- Military Affairs

..". a concise, highly readable survey of pre- 19th-centurywarfare." -- Choice

"A remarkable tour de force coveringa vast span of time, different cultures, warfare by land and sea." -- GuntherRothenberg

A history of war and warfare from ancient to earlymodern times, Larry Addington's new book completes his survey of the patterns of warin the Western world. It explains not only what happened in warfare but why war in acertain time and culture took on distinct and recognizable patterns.