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.

will we never learn?

We are, sadly, repeating the mistakes of the Vietnam war in the Middle East - i.e. seeking a military solution to a political dilemma. Our officers in Iraq should have been reading STREET WITHOUT JOY instead of SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM!

War is an extension of politics

The more times change the more human nature remains the same. The West and the USA “institutions” still seem to think (and fail to understand) that politics can and should be separated from military culture. Politics are always at the heart of warfare. Maybe one day the US military will recognize that fact and train accordingly. Maybe. Or not.

A masterpiece!

Would you listen to Street Without Joy again? Why?

Absolutely. Whether you knew the background of French colonialism or not, when a book is narrated so well as this, you will believe the storyline. I read "Saigon" by Anthony Grey back in the 70's and since discovering Audible.com I wanted to know more. Of what was available this book seemed the best and I was not disappointed.

What other book might you compare Street Without Joy to and why?

A Savage War of Peace.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every single one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wasn't able to this time, but to answer the question, yes!

Any additional comments?

Another masterstroke by Audible.com.