General Westmoreland traces his career from his cadet days at West Point through World War II and Korea, and concentrates on his years as commander of United States military forces in Vietnam.

Includes index. ALU copy 3 signed by author.

Example and apprenticeship -- Preparation for command -- The view from Saigon -- Instability and uncertainty: 1964-1965 -- Chaos unabated -- Constant crisis -- The most difficult decision -- Evolution of strategy -- Political crisis -- Semblance of stability -- Shift to the North -- Pains of nation-building -- On public view -- South Vietnamese and Allied Forces -- Reflections on command -- The American soldier -- The Tet Offensive -- The battle for Khe Sanh -- An alternate strategy -- Chief of staff -- The continuing war -- No substitute for victory -- A look back.