The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam - Softcover

Windrow, Martin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0306814439 ISBN 13: 9780306814433

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2005

Synopsis

In December 1953 French paratroopers, who had been searching for the elusive Vietnamese army, were quickly isolated by them and forced to retreat into their out-gunned and desolate jungle base-a small place called Dien Bien Phu. The Vietnamese besieged the French base for five long and desperate months. Eventually, the demoralized and weakened French were utterly depleted and withdrew in defeat. The siege at Dien Bien Phu was a landmark battle of the last century-the first defeat of modern western forces by an Asian guerilla army.The Last Valley is the first new account of the battle since the 1970s. The author has incorporated much new material from French and Vietnamese sources, including veteran interviews, making this the most complete account to-date. And Martin Windrow has received widespread praise from top historians such as John Keegan and Max Hastings (below), as well as reviewers on both sides of the Atlantic.

About this title

About the Author

Born in 1944 and educated at Wellington College, Martin Windrow is an Associate of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the Foreign Legion Association of Great Britain. He has worked in publishing since the mid-1960s as a commissioning editor and author.

Edition details

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0306814439
• ISBN 13: 9780306814433
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 752