A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam (Pulitzer Prize Winner) Audiobook

" i read this book many years ago, and I still think it must be one of the best researched, most passionate accounts of what went wrong in Vietnam for the Americans. Vann is certainly no hero - and yet for all the lying, betrayal and womanising, you can't help but think that the writer admires his passion and commitment, however misguided and blind it may be. Perhaps that in itself is a metaphore for the US? "

" Best history of the War...better than Fire on the Lake "

" A companion book to "The Unquiet American" with regard to Vann and Holbrooke being in Vietnam before the big run-up of the war. Basically the same conclusions. True American heroes. "

" Read this for research in a class "The Vietnam Experience". The book was a vivid history and compelling read. "

" If you're going to read about Vietnam, don't skip this one. The author(s) have the unique quality of being able to see both forest and trees and the book delivers with incredible perspective and fearless opinion. "

" This book shows you how the US messed up in Vietnam. It will really open your eyes up to how the government works behind the scenes. "

" Great Read if your interested in a political/military history of the conflict from an interesting and exciting perspective. I am usually bored by political/military histories but this book added in the personal first person perspective. "

" One very good and scary book. A biography of a brilliant but deeply flawed Vietnam era American military leader "

" If you only read one book about the Vietnam War, this is the one. I've read this book twice, several years between the two readings. The book was much better the second time. I can't reccommend this book enough, it's a definite must read. "

" This is a multi-book vol which not only details the life of a very difficult man but is the best explanation of how the US engaged in a 15 year long impossible war, that I have yet read. "

" A great book. Must read for politicians who choose war. We seem to think that the decision to wage war is so profound it must be infallible. We make mistakes and those mistakes are monumental. "

" A great history about Vietnam especially from the pacification viewpoint. "

" Every American should be reading this book. "

" No surprise here: It took me 11 months to get through this 800-page monster. That said, it was good to learn more about Vietnam and read a book that was so meticulously researched. "

" I read this soon after it came out and it changed everything I thought and knew about Vietnam. Brilliant book. "

" This book turned me a Vietnam veteran, from a Vietnam hawk into an anti-war activist "

" An amazing chronicle of the Vietnam debacle with some amazing reporting from the groung. "

" The amount of detailed, inside information is staggering. The story of John Paul Vann was used as a jumping off point to understand the ultimate lie: the true story of Vietnam. "

" This book is powerful, intelligent, poignant -- in listening to it I found myself more than once shaking within. The tragedy described in the brilliant narrative lives with us still. "

" This is one of the best books I think I'll ever read. Gorgeous prose, an utterly fascinating story, and a nuanced yet strikingly profound critique of the U.S. war in Vietnam and the hubris of great powers. It's long but it is worth every second. "

" Excellent biography and history of the Vietnam War to boot. "

" A great book, probably the best book ever writtten about Vietnam. Mr. Sheehan,s knowledge of the subject and his writing style made this book easy to read. A definite must-read for military history, war or biographies. "

" The absolute best and most informative analysis of the events and history leading up to the Viet Nam war and most revealing portrayal of the mistakes that led to a disastrous outcome. For a student of these times, a mandatory read. "

" Read this for research in a class "The Vietnam Experience". The book was a vivid history and compelling read. "

" Eye opening to a Vietnam Vet. "

" It was bad enough to go through it to know who sent us there and why just makes it harder still! "

" Bought this book in a hotel in Bangkok and read it on the beach on Phuket. "

" Best history of the War...better than Fire on the Lake "

" A great history of the Vietnam war that focuses on the poor tactics vs. morality. A lengthy and well researched book.Some of the tactical errors described sound similar to some current military endeavors. "

" Another excellent history of war (got me on a history of 20th century wars post WWII kick, which is pretty depressing) "

" A really tough book that explains why the Americans went terribly wrong. "