Unheralded Victory: Who Won the Vietnam War? - Hardcover

Woodruff, Mark W.

3.73

33 ratings by Goodreads

9780004725192: Unheralded Victory: Who Won the Vietnam War?

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0004725190 ISBN 13: 9780004725192

Publisher: Collins, 2000

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An original military history, Unheralded Victory echoes some themes revisited in NATO’s war on Serbia: how what gets reported can be more important than the events on the ground – especially if the frontline is a very dangerous place for a film crew.

Unheralded Victory is a revisionist history of the Vietnam war, charting the defeat of the Viet Cong. It investigates why the popular image of the war then, as now, is that propagated by Hanoi’s propoganda machine, and why US propaganda was so clumsy. Many myths are debunked: drug use among forces, ‘fragging’, US morale: the author’s account squares with the recollection of actual veterans. He also exposes a number of ‘eyewitnesses’, some active in the veterans’ organizations who were never in Vietnam and whose false testimony has contributed to enduring myth of the ‘crazed ‘Nam veteran’ as portrayed in cinema and TV.

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From the Author:

The truth behind the Vietnam War
I wanted to tell the real story about the American and Australian conduct of the war in Vietnam. I wanted to set the record straight and maybe help undo some of those various myths and falsehoods that have characterised most histories - and the popular memory - of that conflict. Unheralded Victory is the result and i have been delighted by the response. Veterans and military people have hailed it as 'the truth at last.' The general public and non-military book reviewers, after their initial incredulity (the Communists lost???!!) have been equally enthusiastic about it. Maybe the veterans of those actions against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army will now get the long-overdue credit and respect they earned.

From the Back Cover:

'Unheralded Victory' is a revisionist history of the Vietnam war based on personal experience and exhaustive study of what actually happened, as opposed to what might be expected, it charts the defeat of the Viet Cong. It investigates why the popular image of war then, as now, is that propagated by Hanoi's propaganda machine, and why US propaganda was so clumsy. Many myths are debunked: drug use among US forces, 'fragging', American morale: the author's account squares with the recollections of actual veterans. He also exposes a number of eyewitnesses', some active in the veterans' organisations who were never in Vietnam and whose force testimony has contributed to enduring myth of the 'crazed Vietnam veteran' as portrayed in cinema and TV. An original military history, 'Unheralded Victory' echoes some themes revisited in Nato's war on Serbia: how what gets reported can be more important than the events on the ground – especially if the frontline is a very dangerous place for film crew.

'Unheralded Victory' reveals how American, Australian, New Zealand and Allied Troops defeated the Viet Cong at the very time the media decided the war was lost. Battle by battle, Mark Woodruff presents an accurate account of Allied victories. Why were Allied successes overtaken by negative images? He takes a critical look at the myths of the Vietnam war, attitudes to the war at home, the frequency of drug use and 'fragging' murders. He investigates how media 'spin' became more influential than events on the battlefield, and why many Vietnam myths are perpetuated to this day.

'From my position as Hollywood's top Military Advisor, I'm going to spend some time shoving this book under the turned up noses of a whole platoon of screenwriters and directors.'
DALE A. DYE, captain of U.S. Marine Corps (RET) WARRIORS. INC.

'... a compelling read for students of the Vietnam War. He explains American strategy in understandable terms, describes the intent of major operations, and highlights and succinctly explains relevant battles that supported both. In the end, the principal lesson of 'Unheralded Victory' may be that in war you can do almost everything correctly in the field and still not end up on the winning side.'
JAMES L. JONES, General, U.S. Marine Corps

''Unheralded Victory' is a refreshing look at America's experience in Vietnam. Many a combat veteran of that orphaned war has asked, "What defeat? When I left Vietnam we were winning." Woodruff examines the major battles and declares much of it false or flawed. 'Unheralded Victory' deserves a careful study by a wide audience and a spirited debate on Woodruff's conclusions.'
JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY, senior writer, 'U.S News & World Report', co-author: 'We Were Soldiers Once...'and 'Young and Triumph Without Victory: The History of the Persian Gulf War'

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