Book Analysis Essay on Where the Domino Fell

Introduction

Randy Roberts and James Olson have made 'where the Domino' fell a highly informative text of the Vietnam War since 1945 and a glimpse of Vietnam's today's history as the second global war ends. Where the Domino fell also includes the first and second Indochina war and its outcomes that impacted today's life. The book provides an unbiased perspective of the Vietnamese War. This paper will analyze the idea and content discussed in the book and how the author has presented his ideas using this text. It will also review the book strengths and weaknesses and importance of the book to the reader.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

The author has discussed the most critical and challenging issues in the history of war. He explains how the US involvement in the Vietnam War came to be. In 1954, Vietnam was separated into two different zones which the federal government was controlling in the northern part of Vietnam where china collaborated and the Soviet Union. This was the time when the Bao Dai went into exile after his prime minister who made the referendum that eliminated the monarchy. In 1956 the United States didn't implement the Geneva accords fearing that Ho Chi Minh would prevail. Since the war ended, the people said that it was the wrong war at the wrong time and place.

Since there is so much confusion that often surrounds the history of the Vietnam War, the author discusses the opponents of the southern regime of Vietnam where they ignited the second Indochina war. They used the army to attack and the federal government to create undemocratic policies. This became a primary method for ratifying American directives. In 1965, the author urges that conflict between North and South Vietnam became worse. The American troops occupied the southern part of Vietnam where they fought with Vietnamese soldiers overpowering American forces. It was due to American troop's inability to distinguish between a friend and the enemy. They also failed to keep counts of guerrilla warfare effectively. In 1973 the American troops were withdrawn from south of Vietnam leading to a treaty where Vietnam became the Republic of Vietnam.

Where the domino fell, explain how the Vietnam War was unimaginable where it killed about eight million people most of them being civilians who were injured and others went missing. The Vietnamese soldiers together with civilians were buried in mass graves while many Vietnamese families were left searching for their families. The author explains how the war brought a massive economic cost destroying many livestock and crops. In the US the war cost 140 billion and a legacy of landmines which has a considerable effect even today. Environmental destruction directed by we destroyed half of Vietnam's forest.

Where the domino fell is the most exciting book of all the other book that has been written about the Vietnam War. The author can reveal the most interesting facts about the Vietnam War that continues until today. This book shows that the Vietnam War will continue to be studied for many years. Where the domino fell is a readable and well-organized book which talks about the Vietnamese War and its legacy where the authors relate the Vietnam War towards the 1991 Gulf War. The book has followed a principle of chronological model starting with a description with the "Vietnamese Heritage" summing up with ideas on the Vietnamese war legacy. The authors of the book have it written with boldness and clarity with a short narrative history of the Vietnam wrangles. The book chronology glossary and bibliography serve a useful reference for the readers. The author point of view brings the text up to the present day through a look at how the war happened and the events there-in.

The book 'where the Domino fell ', covers the period between 1954 and 1975. The book gives a prologue where the Vietnam war is related to the Gulf war of 1991. The book commences with the account of the 'Vietnamese Heritage' and is concluded with thoughts on the war starting from 1975. It places a very integral synthesis on methods the US presidents such as Kennedy and Nixon used to deal with the Vietnam war. The book also entails a detailed collection of materials covering the war experience, strategy and tactics, the history of the war and the role played by the minorities in the war. Olson and Roberts carefully integrate the materials to the book to make it wholesomely unique. The book is different from other texts covering the Vietnam war in that it is not just a chronicle as it operates from an interpretative framework. The authors of the book vividly show how the Vietnam war was a wrong war to the United States. According to the authors, the United States leaders joined the war without a clear picture of what they were embarking on being involved. Their beliefs were inapplicable and their minds rigid. According to Robert and Olson, the US government did not see nationalism as its focus was on communism; hence the war was a wrong war to the country. The authors of 'where the Domino' fell do not see the war as beneficial in any way as the US federal government had not decided its reasons for engaging in the war.

Where the Domino fell, include a chronological narration of the events occurring in the war that gives clarity to the readers enabling them to feel informed and educated. A glossary and a bibliography are also presented serving as an essential reference to readers. The book's content is also entertaining and does not leave readers lost as it allows for a clear overview of the war and the background of Vietnam as a country hence enabling readers to get a vivid understanding of the culture and life of the country where the fight happened. Another strength of the book is how Olson and Roberts skilfully merge the present and the past. The actions and decisions of the Vietnam war are clearly explained. The authors also introduce significant people in the war by giving a short background about them and includes a few interesting photos.

Despite the strengths that the book prides in, it does not lack a few shortcomings. The authors' major focus is on the interpretative stands over political and military combats on the war. The book's analysis is void of the movement to oppose the Vietnam war and the decisive impact of the anti-war movement. To readers who are keen on details, the name of the poet W.D. Ehrhart is misspelled and also he has mislabelled his memoir Vietnam-Perkasie. Another shortcoming of the book is the authors' lack of a clear stand proving to be blunt. They occasionally arbitrarily present their opinion arbitrary manner. For example, they argue that the most effective U.S pacification effort was the CAP program belonging to the marines while in reality, it was the Valliant troopers of the 101st ABN DIV who played the greatest role. The book fails to record a significant fact that the war was won by September 1970. The lack of footnotes obstructs readers from any direct investigation of the quotes, and the context used in the book hence serves as a disadvantage to the readers. Although there is no claim for original research from the authors, all the sources used in the text seem to be all secondary.

In my opinion, despite the few shortcomings that the book has, it stands out due to the authors' unique ability to use anecdotes as well as hunt for useful information and use it within the book to make it informative as well as exciting. One of the things that stands out to me is how 'Where the Domino fell' is how it, makes a well thought of an addition to course bibliographies and other relevant literature that vividly explain the history of the war. The book would be a perfect selection for graduate as well as undergraduate students. The book is a significant contribution to the study and teaching of courses related to the Vietnam war and lessons learned from the war.

Conclusion

In conclusion, James Olson and Randy Roberts provide a clear history of the Vietnamese war and the resulting consequences. This explains the basic gist of the book which helps the reader understand the text better. The authors have provided historical facts and backed them up with evidence to support his theory. These facts allow the reader to interpret the meaning of the book and make his/her conclusion. The book does not focus on other propaganda like other war books which makes it unique and interesting. Through this book, the author has educated many readers about the history of America and the Vietnam War. Overall the book is entertaining, and its content is well analyzed for the reader. After reading this book, the reader will gain knowledge and understand clearly what is going on. It helps all the readers feel comfortable with the offered information.

References

Olson, James S., and Randy W. Roberts. Where the Domino Fell: America and Vietnam 1945-1995. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Olson, James Stuart, and Randy Roberts. Where the Domino Fell: America and Vietnam, 1945 to 2004. Brandywine Press, 2004.