I found this book a little hard to read because it is a compilation of writings by General Giap put together by another author. The book has a rather repetitive nature. I actually put it down after getting about 3/4 through and about a year later picked it up again and slogged through to the end. I'm a veteran of the US Navy and have many friends and relatives who are veterans of the Vietnam war. I have always been interested in the Vietnam war and have watched all the popular movies on the topic. This book was enlightening as my first exposure to a Vietnamese perspective on the war. My takeaway is that the American version of these events told us that we we're saving a country from communists. This book tells a story of Vietnam's fight for unification and sovereignty, through hundreds of years of war with the Chinese, Japanese, French and Americans. Not a real easy read, but enlightening. ( )

Directs a spotlight on weaknesses of United States, strengths of Vietnam. France, China, Japan involvement in southeast Asia. Detailed accounts of many battles, and events of war. Explains how numerous small self defense units united to overcome a brutal, well armed enemy. Themes of discipline, determinaton, unification, simplicity; supported text with strength throughout. ( )