Facing My Lai: Moving Beyond the Massacre (Modern War Studies) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 070061057X ISBN 13: 9780700610570

Publisher: University Press of Kansas, 2000

Synopsis

The My Lai massacre of March 16, 1968, and the court martial of Lt. William Calley a year and a half later are among the bleakest episodes in American history and continue to provide a volatile focus for debates about the Vietnam War. Other books have exposed the facts surrounding the incident; ""Facing My Lai"" now examines its haunting legacy through an exchange of contemporary viewpoints. This powerful book presents a stellar gathering of writers, including journalists Seymour Hersh and David Halberstam, novelist Tim O'Brien, historian Stephen E. Ambrose, psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, military prosecutor William Eckhardt, and the two true heroes in the My Lai story - Hugh Thompson and the late Ron Ridenhour. As these authors show, the US is still trying to come to grips with its bitter experience in Vietnam. A grim window into the darker side of American history, ""Facing My Lai"" reminds us of humanity's baffling capacity for atrocity within the crucible of war as well as its urgent need for healing in the face of such violence.

About this title

Review

"An all-encompassing, multidimensional examination of the massacre by a distinguished group of historians, military journalists, poets, and novelists."--Kirkus Reviews

"What is impressive about this excellent book is that all sides of the arguments are presented. Readers will find it hard to put down."--Vietnam

"An important and timely book. However ghastly, however tragic, My Lai certainly bears remembering as a cautionary story from Vietnam, both in what caused this atrocity to happen and what the U.S. Army has done to prevent future My Lais from happening."--Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"A crucial book filled with much passion and insight."--Indianapolis Star

"This book makes it less possible for Americans to forget and thus to repeat the mistakes that led to the tragedy in Vietnam."--Journal of Military History

"The contributors have sincerely wrestled with the enormity of My Lai and respect the views of those who have reached conclusions different from their own. The result is a book that encourages a similar thoughtfulness on the part of the reader. If I were to suggest only one book to give officers and noncommissioned officers interested in studying the lessons of the My Lai massacre, this would be it."--Marine Corps Gazette

"However ghastly, however tragic, My Lai certainly bears remembering as a cautionary story from Vietnam, both in what caused this atrocity to happen and what the U.S. Army has done to prevent future My Lais from happening."--Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"A profound memorial to a dark, forgotten history. A book of utmost importance."--Oliver Stone

"A coherent volume of passionate reflections on the painful subject of the My Lai massacre."--Marilyn B. Young, author of The Vietnam Wars, 1945-1990

"I read this book with great interest and deep emotion. I expect it will have a deeply cathartic effect on its readers. The recollections of those who had a hand in uncovering My Lai's horrible truth are gripping, and the discussion of post-traumatic stress disorder adds a whole new dimension to the story."--Robert D. Schulzinger, author of A Time for War

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of Kansas
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 070061057X
• ISBN 13: 9780700610570
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244
• Editor: Anderson David L.