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Many people consider the Vietnam War to be the defining conflict of the Cold War era. The stories of the brave men and women who fought there have left an indelible effect on American society and history.
Learn more about their stories by taking 25% off select Vietnam titles through October 1, 2021. No code is necessary to claim this offer. The discount will be automatically applied to titles in your shopping cart.
Battle for Skyline Ridge: The CIA Secret War in Laos
James E. Parker Jr
In late 1971, the People's Army of Vietnam launched Campaign "Z" into northern Laos, escalating the war in Laos with the aim of defeating the last Royal Lao Army troops. The NVA troops numbered 27,000 and brought with them 130mm field guns and T-34 tanks, while the North Vietnamese air force launched MiG-21s into Lao air space. General Giap's specific orders to this task force were to kill the CIA army under command of the Hmong war lord Vang Pao and occupy its field headquarters in the Long Tieng valley of northeast Laos.
Despite the odds being overwhelmingly in the NVA's favor, the battle did not go to plan. It raged for more than 100 days, the longest in the Vietnam War, and it all came down to Skyline Ridge.
James Parker served in Laos. Over many years he pieced together his own knowledge with CIA files and North Vietnamese after-action reports in order to tell the full story of the battle of Skyline Ridge.
9781612007052, $24.71 USD, Casemate
Into the Iron Triangle: Operation Attleboro and Battles North of Saigon, 1966
Arrigo Velicogna
In early October 1966, the fresh and inexperienced 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army was conducting a series of routine patrols in War Zone C. A lucky discovery of a rice cache led to the uncovering of a planned base area being established by the Viet Cong insurgents of South Vietnam (NLF) southeast of Tay Ninh City. What followed was named Operation Attleboro. Unbeknownst to the U.S. and ARVN forces, the NLF 9th Division was preparing to attack the brigade in its base and two ARVN positions near Tay Ninh.
American moves spoiled the planned attack and initiated a prolonged battle that at its height would pit four regiments of the NLF and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) against 18 American and three ARVN battalions, supported by 24 artillery batteries and countless fixed-wing and helicopter sorties, including 225 B-52 strikes. The battle would also draw in the 1st Infantry Division, the famed 'Big Red One', and the 25th Infantry Division. Both sides would claim victory but the 9th Division limped towards Cambodia.
9781913336264, $22.46 USD, Helion and Company
Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne's Hidden Battle at Tam Ky
LTC Ed Sherwood U.S. Army (Ret)
First book published about Operation Lamar Plain. After 50 years, the story of the renowned 101st Airborne's major offensive near Tam Ky, South Vietnam, remains largely unknown. Fighting at Tam Ky by the 1st Brigade began 15 May 1969 while the 101st's 3rd Brigade battled on Hamburger Hill. The political consequences of Hamburger Hill's high casualties caused Lamar Plain and its high casualties to remain classified and undisclosed. Decades later, the fighting at Tam Ky is mostly forgotten except by those who fought there.
Sherwood's superb research of now-declassified records uncovers how such a large battle could remain hidden and undisclosed. But that is not the heart of his story. His focus is on the courage and commitment of the young infantry soldiers who fought. Many were sons of WWII and Korean War veterans. They had a legacy to uphold — to honor their families, the 101st Airborne, and their nation. Most of all, in the crux of battle, they would not let their fellow soldiers down.
9781612009643, $26.21 USD, Casemate