This book brings out the American story regarding the Vietnam War, covering the important events from 1954 to 1975. Written from a journalistic point of view; it includes the happenings witnessed by the author, A. J. Langguth, during his tenure as the New York Times correspondent to Southeast Asia. Based on his close-range observations of the political figures of that time, including Khanh, Ky and Thieu; Max Taylor and Ellsworth Bunker; Westmoreland and Abrams; and Secretary McNamara, Langguth offers a clear picture of war-time politics. Through the interviews of the men and women of North Vietnam and the Vietcong, Langguth exposes their dedication to the independence and unity of their country, even though the future has not turned out as many in their crusade envisioned it.