Too often the ordeals of participants on both sides of the Vietnam War have been interpreted by others--journalists, historians, even generals. In an invaluable corrective, John Prados, one of our leading interpreters of the Vietnam War, opens a window into the visceral firsthand experiences of those on the ground in Vietnam. His carefully chosen and thoughtfully introduced anthology gathers the voices--in narrative and poetry--of men and women; Americans and Vietnamese (both of the North and South); officers and enlisted men. All of the selections feature individuals' experiences of war or witnessing specific events, and the realities of being caught up in them, Bridging the chasm between history and memory, together they offer an intense, even blazing, testimonial to the human condition in war.-- From publisher description.

Includes index.

A brief overview -- Ia Drang: the first big battle -- In the highlands -- Saigon and the delta -- Eye Corps -- Vietnam days -- War in the plains -- Indian country -- Tet I: Saigon and the countryside -- Tet II: Hue and Khe Sanh -- Life on the line -- The Abrams era -- The final act -- Air war.