{"product_id":"vietnams-forgotten-army-andrew-wiest-9780814794104","title":"Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2009 Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award for Biography\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eExamines South Vietnam's complex relationship with the United States through the stories of two Vietnamese soldiers' diverging paths\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eVietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN\u003c\/i\u003e chronicles the lives of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue, two of the brightest young stars in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Both men fought with valor in a war that seemed to have no end, exemplifying ARVN bravery and determination that is largely forgotten or ignored in the West. However, while Hue fought until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and then endured thirteen years of captivity, Dinh surrendered and defected to the enemy, for whom he served as a teacher in the reeducation of his former ARVN comrades. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e An understanding of how two lives that were so similar diverged so dramatically provides a lens through which to understand the ARVN and South Vietnam's complex relationship with America's government and military. The lives of Dinh and Hue reflect the ARVNs battlefield successes, from the recapture of the Citadel in Hue City in the Tet Offensive of 1968, to Dinhs unheralded role in the seizure of Hamburger Hill a year later. However, their careers expose an ARVN that was over-politicized, tactically flawed, and dependent on American logistical and firepower support. Marginalized within an American war, ARVN faced a grim fate as U.S. forces began to exit the conflict. As the structure of the ARVN\/U.S. alliance unraveled, Dinh and Hue were left alone to make the most difficult decisions of their lives.\u003cbr\u003e Andrew Wiest weaves historical analysis with a compelling narrative, culled from extensive interviews with Dinh, Hue, and other key figures. Once both military superstars, Dinh is viewed by a traitor by many within the South Vietnamese community, while Hue, an expatriate living in northern Virginia, is seen as a hero who never let go of his ideals. Their experiences and legacies mirror that of the ARVNs rise and fall as well as the tragic history of South Vietnam.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Andrew Wiest\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0814794106\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780814794104\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e New York University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/01\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 368\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.33lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.98h x 6.36w x 1.08d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/15\/2007 pg. 53\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/01\/2007 pg. 1042\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/15\/2007 pg. 70","brand":"Andrew Wiest","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47244015239423,"sku":"9780814794104","price":107.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_307e133b-b530-468f-9ebd-70a23c31572f.jpg?v=1758134724","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/vietnams-forgotten-army-andrew-wiest-9780814794104","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}