In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam (Abridged) Audiobook

" This book was good for me to read because of the patients I had serving as a physician in the Army that were maimed or died from action in Viet Nam. As I suspected, just as in especially WWI and the Iraq War, the VietNam War was brought on by stupidity and over-reaction to minor incidents and escalated because of more stupidity and over-reaction. He refreshingly admits the mistakes that were made on his watch Secretary of Defense from Kennedy's administration to leaving in 1968 from Johnson's. An example is that the Gulf of Tonkin second attack that was pivotal in the decision making process to bomb the North didn't even happen. Just think of all the deaths, suffering, and family anguish that resulted! "

" Hard work, but a good read if you can get through all the official documents. "

" Interesting piece that I opted to read because it was referenced in a couple of other books I read a few years ago. I'm far from a fan of Mcnamara, but this work is an honest piece that offers a variety of lessons about government intervention and politics alike. "

" I read this book twice. The first time, I thought it was great. Turns out, on second reading, it's only good. Extremely valuable as a guide to avoid the tragedies and pitfalls that will come in the fog of war, it sinks when McNamara avoids answering why the war in Vietnam was not only bad strategy, but also very criminal. Rarely would I recommend the film adaptation of book, but "The Fog of War" is much more satisfying...and shorter. "

" Great book which shows insights into the mistakes of the Vietnam War. Shows the author's remorse for the actions, but also displays his hope for how things could have turned out at certain points. "

" interesting read by someone who was there. he clearly regrets many of the decisions he has made although he does try and shift some blame to others. defiantly worth reading "

" Learned a ton about the Vietnam War and executive office politics. A good book for our generation to read. "

" Offered some insights into the Diem's coup in 1963. "

" I only read half of it, up to page 188. I'm not a McNamara fan, and had better things to read. "

" McNamara stuck with the "we were young idealists who made inevitable mistakes but always thought we were doing good" defense for his war crimes until the day he died. The full range of his self-aggrandizing bullshit is on display in this pitiful memoir. "

" Explained a lot about why this war went as it did. "

" An old Cold Warrior from the Kennedy and Nixon administrations makes a confession way too late. "

" Very well written book on the Vietnam War. Although many blame him for the events in the Vietnam War, this book (although written from his perspective) makes us consider the Vietnam War from a different viewpoint. "

" This book was informative at most but also a bit slanted still. Worth reading if you're into primary sources about Vietnam, U.S. History, etc. Robert S. McNamara may be many things, but a great writer, I would say, he is not. I'll just leave it at that. "

" lots of tragedy, not many lessons. pretty poorly written, not all that insightful or even reflective. and my vietnamese bootleg copy was full of typos "

" McNamara's description of the decisions at the highest levels of government that led to and occurred during the Vietnam War. The lessons McNamara learned from this period appear to have escaped successive US administations. "

" Revealing, and remorseful memoir of Vietnam War by one of its prime architects. Gordian Knot of geopolitics. "

" One of the best books I have read in a long time. Four stars. "

" Very courageous! And a great book for anyone looking to learn more about the Vietnam War. "

" Revealing, and remorseful memoir of Vietnam War by one of its prime architects. Gordian Knot of geopolitics. "

" I think he is very pragmatic....and I think this is the same as saying he is very intelligent. Having said that, I realize this book is his narrative. Now it is my job to interpret his story as best I can. I now have a new level of appreciation for his contributions to society. "

" An interesting insiders view of the behind the scenes machinations of the Vietnam war. The levels of chaos, mis-communication and mis-information really surprised me, as well as the realisation that many of the mistakes are occuring today. "

" A really fascinating account of the decision-making that went into escalating and then conducting the Vietnam War. Not technical, not policy-oriented. More of a psychological study of the actors executing our Vietnam policy. Read it, but don't expect any astounding revelations. "

" Essential reading, especially given the times. I also highly recommend the film adaptation, "The Fog of War." "

" Offered some insights into the Diem's coup in 1963. "

" Learned a ton about the Vietnam War and executive office politics. A good book for our generation to read. "

" McNamara stuck with the "we were young idealists who made inevitable mistakes but always thought we were doing good" defense for his war crimes until the day he died. The full range of his self-aggrandizing bullshit is on display in this pitiful memoir. "