Vietnam

The Australian War

De: Paul Ham

Narrado por: Peter Byrne

The definitive account of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, by best-selling author of Kokoda.

Seen as the last 'hot' frontline of the Cold War, the 10 year struggle in the rice paddies and jungles of South Vietnam unleashed the most devastating firepower on the Vietnamese nation and visited terrible harm on civilians and soldiers. Yet the Australian forces applied tactics that were very different from those of the Americans. Guided by their commanders' experience of jungle combat, Australian troops operated with stealth, deception and restraint in pursuing a 'better war'.

Drawing on hundreds of accounts by soldiers, politicians, aid workers, entertainers and the Vietnamese people, Paul Ham reconstructs for the first time the full history of our longest military campaign. From the commitment to engage, through the fight over conscription and the rise of the anti - war movement, to the tactics and horror of the battlefi eld, Ham exhumes the truth about this politicians' war - which sealed the fate of 50,000 Australian servicemen and women.

More than 500 soldiers were killed and thousands wounded. Those who made it home returned to a hostile and ignorant country and a reception that scarred them forever. This is their story.

©2008 Paul Ham (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

"It is the comprehensiveness of Paul Ham's blockbuster on Vietnam that is both enticing and chilling to the core, in what is uncovered and laid out with precision and compelling evidence." ( The Australian)

Insightful

What made the experience of listening to Vietnam the most enjoyable?

The book covers both the tactical and strategic views of the war. I enjoyed the detail of Paul Ham's research.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vietnam?

I especially appreciated the point of view of a non US author. It seemed to be more objective.

a whole new view

most views on the Vietnam War focus on the US military. this opens a whole new view that will change how you look at the war

Looks Dull but is a truly Riveting Read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definately. It is a fascinating account of a very controversial war, looked at from many perspectives, including the North Vietnamese, the Viet Cong, the US and Australian-New Zealanders, the anti war movements, the draft dodgers, and mainly, and very painfully, the soldiers of both sides and the Vietnamese civilians.
I felt that all of the apsects were dealt with thoroughly and in an intensely interesting manner.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The descriptions of the suffering of the civilians, the soldiers, the soldiers families, the boat people, the draft dodgers. The brutal ugliness of the regime which was being defended (the south) and the brutal ugliness of the northern invaders. The lies which we were fed by our politicians, generals, and the communists.
The deliberate treatment by the northern communists of their own Viet Cong soldiers, as cannon fodder, and their disappearance from communist history, was a revelation
The entire book book was compelling. I listened to it day and night, the entire 30 or 40 hours, in 4 days.
Of all of the books about history and war which I have read and listened to (many, in all periods of history, and every continent), this is the most complete and comprehensive decription of the many causes and effects of war. It should be compulsory reading in Australian and New Zealand schools. Americans should read it to see how their friends saw their actions.

What does Peter Byrne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His American and Vietnamese accents are pretty funny, but despite that, it does help to put the quotes into perspective.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me very sad. It also stimulates me to read more about Afghanistan, just in case we are not learning the lessons of history and are repeating similar mistakes there.

A really good story, well read

Would you consider the audio edition of Vietnam to be better than the print version?

For me yes. I have difficulty reading full novels as I am usually too tired. Listening to Audiobooks in my car takes the monotony out of driving.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Peter has great voice control and makes the story flow.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the the battle of Long Tan

Great book!,

A brilliantly narrated piece of history. Ham presents the lector with a profound and critical view of the little known Australian role in the Vietnam War.