This book examines the tensions and controversies that developed as the war lengthened and the news media went about their traditional tasks. The first of two volumes on the subject, it draws upon previously unavailable Army and Defense Department records to interpret the role the press played during the war.--[foreword].

1. Taking sides. The origins of controversy, 1961-1963; Official optimism,1962; Confrontation: the Bigart and Sully cases; Confrontation: Ap Bac, January 1963 -- 2. The Buddhist crisis, 1963. First phase, May-August 1963; Official optimism, Summer 1963; The assault on the Pagodas; The Coup against Diem, September-November 1963 -- 3. Maximum candor. Solidifying public opinion: first attempts, March-June 1964; Examining the information program, June 1964; Westmoreland and Zorthian take charge -- 4. More than goodwill. An impossible position: Laos, June 1964; Conflicting priorities; "March north":June-August 1964 -- 5. Keeping the options open. Mutual cooperation; Preparing the public, October-November 1964; Confrontation: Khanh versus Taylor, December 1964; Questions arise, January 1965; Justifying escalation, February-March 1965 -- 6. Censorship considered. Guidelines for the press evolve, February-March 1965; The Honolulu Information Conference, March 1965 -- 7. Counterinsurgency combat operations. The mission of the marines; The tear gas controversy; Censorship reconsidered and rejected; The stir over escalation -- 8. The ground war. Guidelines for reporting the Ground War; A favorable public mood, June-July 1965; Civilian casualties; incident at Cam Ne; Censorship reconsidered, August 1965 -- 9. Problems with the press. Nuisance stories; The Tear Gas issue, September 1965; Information policy tightens, August-September 1965; The Battles of Plei Me and the Ia Drang Valley, October-November 1965; Credibility declines, November-December 1965; Bombing halt in North Vietnam, December 1965. 10. Gearing for a larger war. Public opinion, January-February 1966; Refinements to the information program, 1965-1966; Restricting still photography and television news, 1965; Further refinements to the information program, May-July 1966; Interservice rivalry and the practice of leaking, January-August 1966 -- 11. First gusts of the whirlwind: the Buddhist crisis of 1966. The Fulbright inquiry, February 1966; Engagement at a Shau, March 1966; Confrontation with the Buddhists, March-June 1966 -- 12. Political attrition. Preserving the public image of the war,1966; The civilian casualties question resurfaces; The air war in North Vietnam escalates; The Salisbury Affair; MACV's statistics questioned, March 1967; The M16 rifle controversy; Westmoreland goes to the United States, April 1976 -- 13. The benefit of a doubt. Improving the image of the South Vietnamese War effort; The village of Ben Suc; Robert Komer takes charge of pacification; Elections, September 1967 -- 14. Claims of progress, and counterclaims. The problem of statistics; The body count; Countering the negative viewpoint of the press; The order of battle controversy; Demonstrating progress, September 1967-October 1968; The Battle of Dak To, November 1967; Westmoreland's visit to Washington, November 1967; Criticism of the war increases, December 1967 -- 15. A hard blow. The Tet offensive begins; The press reacts; A prizewinning picture; The countryside: More or less secure?; The Battle of Hue; Khe Sanh; Changes in information policy -- 16. A change of direction. Public opinion, February 1968; Doubts rise about the Marines; The 200,000-man troop request; A move toward peace.