Publisher's Synopsis
A Brief History of Vietnam is the first book to offer a comprehensive history of Vietnam in English, from its prehistoric Red River valley civilization and early Chinese colonization to the Vietnam War, post-war diaspora, and its long path to economic recovery and normalization of foreign relations. Although the Vietnam War is the period of Vietnamese history best known to most Americans, the earlier history of Vietnam is a story of epic proportions, stretching over more than 1,000 years and encompassing centuries of incursion and colonization by outsiders. By placing Vietnamese history, particularly the struggle with the French and the Americans, within this wider context, this book will enable American readers to better understand the nature of the events of the 1960s and 1970s. Photographs, maps, sidebars, and tables of relevant data augment the text and complement the lively narrative. A Brief History of Vietnam presents a concise, complete overview of the fascinating past of this country and society.;It is the ideal supplementary text for students enrolled in college or high school courses that cover the Vietnam War or Asian history as well as general readers and war buffs interested in expanding their knowledge of Vietnam.
