In Year of the Hawk: America’s Descent into Vietnam, 1965, author James A. Warren sets out to chronicle the Vietnam War with an emphasis on one particular year. The book contains three parts: background on the war, the various methods used to fight it, and reflections about the war overall.
Warren’s book is detailed, straightforward and easy to understand. Readers who already have a broad base of knowledge about the Vietnam War, or who experienced it, will likely find that the book covers familiar ground as the author presents a general overview of the conflict.
Year of the Hawk introduces readers to major themes of the war with sections including “Vietnam and the Vietnamese,” “The First Indochina War,” “[Gen. William] Westmoreland’s Strategy of Attrition,” and “The Secret CIA War in Laos,” among other topics that will likely be recognizable to readers conversant about the Vietnam War.
The book is a well-written but fairly general synopsis of the war and its outset. Warren does not advance any significant new theories about the conflict nor break new ground in terms of Vietnam War literature.
The standout chapter of the book, in this reviewer’s opinion, is “Marines at War,” which occurs in Part II. Warren provides a close-up look at the approaches and combat actions of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965. The Marine encounters are vividly described with details that may be fresh even to readers well-versed in the war. Warren has previously penned highly acclaimed books regarding the Marines and his talent in writing this chapter does not go unnoticed.
In the Marines chapter, the author weaves in poignant reflections from 1st Lt. Phil Caputo, who recalled years after the events: “It was a haphazard, episodic sort of combat…we did not see heavy combat…[b]ut we saw enough to learn those lessons that could not be taught in the training camps: what fear feels like and what death looks like, and the smell of death, the experience of killing, of enduring pain and inflicting it, the loss of friends and the sight of wounds. We learned what war was all about, and a callus began to grow around our hearts, a kind of emotional flak jacket that blunted the blows and the stings of pity.” The inclusion of such firsthand reflections enriches Warren’s narrative.
Although Year of the Hawk doesn’t offer much in major new revelations, it must be praised for its educational potential. Well-organized and easy to absorb, the book is a good primer for readers who do not already know about the Vietnam era—for example younger generations who would benefit from learning more about the war and those who fought it. Warren’s book could also be useful for readers from other countries seeking more information about how the war unfolded from an American perspective.
This book review appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of Vietnam magazine.
Year of the Hawk: America’s Descent into Vietnam, 1965
By James A. Warren
Scribner, 2021
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Battle of Gettysburg?
This battle was fought during the American Civil War (1861-1865). General Ulysses S. Grant's Union Army defeated Confederate troops led By General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870).
The outcome of the battle had a profound impact on both sides. The battle marked the turning moment of the war for both the Confederacy and the Union. It signaled the end for slavery to the Union.
Lincoln's famous "Emancipation Proclamation" was issued in 1863. It freed slaves who were living in rebel states. He signed the 13th Amendment in the Constitution, which effectively abolished slavery throughout America.
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865.
Lee was made a prisoner by the war. He died in 1870.
Grant received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the battle.
He died on 1885.
Why did the U.S. become involved in the Korean War
The United States entered World War II because Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan invaded China, Korea and Indochina in order to seize control of these territories and their resources.
There were two major powers at the time in Asia: the Soviet Union and America. Both countries wanted peace.
Korea was a neutral land, so the United States decided not to invade South Korea.
In 1950 North Korea crossed the 38th parallel dividing Korea north and south.
North Korea invaded South Korea, leading to the Korean War.
Resolution 82 by the UN Security Council was passed to stop war. It gave the U.N. power to intervene militarily.
The conflict escalated into an armistice between the USSR and the U.S.
During the Cold War, both parties used nuclear weapons.
After the Cold War ended the U.S. kept South Korean troops to defend American interests.
Today, the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains strong.
What are the 3 types of war?
Both sides find war an intense experience. There is excitement and anticipation for the aggressor. He wants to make the enemy suffer. It is a game about strategy and tactics to him.
For the victim, there is fear, uncertainty, and confusion. He is aware that he is outnumbered, outgunned. He isn't sure where or how many injuries he will sustain.
In the end, the victor is the winner because he has won. He feels confident. He is looking forward to the next battle. His mind is focused and clear.
He knows he may lose, but he is ready to accept that loss. He is prepared to lose. He accepts the fact that his adversary is stronger and more experienced.
The winner believes that he is the master of his domain. He believes that he is invincible. He is convinced that victory is possible.
War isn’t just about physical. It can also be mental.
It's psychological warfare.
It's about winning hearts.
It is about convincing people that you are better than your opponent.
Statistics
- Kimball reports that: Of historians in the field of diplomatic history, 7% are Socialist, 19% are Other, 53% are Liberal, 11% are None, and 10% are Conservative. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Fact: Kentucky provided more soldiers in the War of 1812 than any other state and suffered approximately 60 percent of the war's total casualties. (history.ky.gov)
External Links
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How To
What did the U.S., Russia and China do during WWII?
China, Russia, and the United States had been allies ever since 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Hitler turned his attention to the Soviet Union when Germany invaded Russia in May 1941. Operation Barbarossa began in December 1941. This was Hitler's attempt to invade the Soviet Union.
Hitler wanted Stalin to agree to peace negotiations, which would give him more time to prepare to fight against Britain. He also hoped that the Red Army would be destroyed so that German troops could concentrate their efforts on destroying the British Royal Air Force.
Stalin fought even though he knew the war was over. He believed that USSR had to be strong enough to continue its industrialization efforts.
The Soviets made their biggest mistake later. Hitler sent Field Marshal Erich von Manstein along with General Heinz Guderian from Germany to Moscow in July 1944. They tried to persuade Stalin not to surrender. Stalin refused Stalin's request because he felt that the Germans had already been too bloody and rich to defeat them.
In August 1944, the Red Army began launching counterattacks against the Wehrmacht (German military) in East Prussia. Hitler ordered the destruction of the Red Army and its encirclement on September 2, 1944.
The German army took Stalingrad in February 1943, and Leningrad on January 1944. Hitler launched a massive offensive against Soviet Union, which lasted until the end of 1944. Hitler made plans to invade Finland and the Baltic states in July 1944.
On August 21, 1944 the Allies landed on France. Two days later the Soviet Union declared War on Germany. This led to Battle of Kursk, in which the Germans defeated Red Army.
After the battle, Hitler launched a massive attack against the Western Front. His goal was to capture Paris. The German advance on the River Seine was stopped by the Allies.
At the same time, the Americans dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Emperor Hirohito then surrendered to the Americans unconditionally. World War II was ended on August 14, 1945.
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