Street Without Joy

The French Debacle in Indochina

By: Bernard B. Fall

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

In this classic account of the French war in Indochina, Bernard B. Fall vividly captures the sights, sounds, and smells of the savage eight-year conflict in the jungles and mountains of Southeast Asia from 1946 to 1954. The French fought well to the last, but even with the lethal advantages of airpower, they could not stave off the Communist-led Vietnamese nationalists, who countered with a hit-and-run campaign of ambushes, booby traps, and nighttime raids. Defeat came at Dien Bien Phu, in 1954, setting the stage for American involvement and opening another tragic chapter in Vietnam's history.

©1964 Bernard B. Fall (P)2013 Tantor

Still great after all these years.

What did you love best about Street Without Joy?

It showed how a great military force that adapted to the terrain still got beaten. The French forces were made up of so many brilliant soldiers and they were creative in dealing with their enemies, but were undone by political factors that they did face, but not as well as their enemies.

Great..

This book is just as great as I was told it was. I recommend it. If it’s not on the West Point reading list…it should be.

Excellent

an exceptional and almost wholly unbiased analysis of the French war in Vietnam from 1946 to 1954, with its major focus on the French operations from 51 to 54. the book is written as a manual for politicians and soldiers fighting a revolutionary war. one if the best I've ever read.

A Must Read

This man knew more in early 1960's on the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia than most experts today. Fascinatining, insightful, brilliant.

The other Vietnam War

No study of the American experience in this region is complete without a study of the French experience that preceded it. Street Without Joy gives a broad overview of the political, strategic, operational and tactical challenges encountered by the French against a determined foe, fully committed to defeating all who came.