The Vietnam War was unlike any war the United States ever fought. Unlike the previous wars of the twentieth century, the Vietnam War left the United States divided, and it continues to influence U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Without question, the Vietnam Syndrome that emerged after the war's end altered the policies of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and the lessons learned from the war were applied to later conflicts in the Persian Gulf.

The Vietnam War story is one that has never been fully understood and probably never will be explained to the satisfaction of those who experienced it – and it will continue to spark debate and controversy for each new generation. The Vietnam War For Dummies attempts to tell that complicated story in a way that is easily accessible to everyone. If you've never read much about the Vietnam War, this book provides a general overview that covers all the major players and significant turning points and events of the war. If you're a history buff, this book can serve as a compact reference guide to the major subjects of the war.

The Vietnam War For Dummies covers the following topics and more:

• The events that led up to the war, from the beginning of the Cold War to when U.S. troops moved into Vietnam
• A detailed examination of the conflict between North and South Vietnam
• How U.S. presidents handled Vietnam, from Eisenhower to Nixon
• Analyses of the major battles of the war, including the Tet Offensives and the Fall of Saigon
• The effect of the war on American life and culture, including an exploration of the protest movement
• Thorough analyses of U.S. and Vietnamese battle tactics
• Top Ten lists debunking myths surrounding the war and highlighting issues and concerns that have arisen from the war

Remember that having an understanding of the Vietnam War means knowing that its history is based on perspectives. For any one book that argues a point a specific way, at least two other books will interpret that point another way. You can use The Vietnam War For Dummies as a guide for beginning your examination of one of the most important events in U.S. history.