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Post by Legion Etrangere on Jun 26, 2009 10:34:32 GMT -5
I am re-reading THE LAST VALLEY by Martin Windrow for the 'nth time. Has anyone read it? [ rhetorical question ] ---- does anyone like it, as compared to Fall?
/martini/
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Post by cookie on Jul 3, 2009 8:20:23 GMT -5
I would say, in my opinion, that it is the most comprehensive of the various english language books available on the subject of DBP. However I think that Howard Simpsons book 'Dien Bien Phu: the battle America Forgot" is smaller and an easier read, and one that should be read as an introduction to the subject. Bernard Fall's 'Hell in a Very Small Place' is also a good read, and comparable in size and detail to 'Last Valley', however it is now quite dated in its lanquage (ie the Viet Minh are referred to as "The Reds!"). They all have their good points - for a fully comprehensive picture read all of them!!  |
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Jul 3, 2009 12:08:27 GMT -5
However I think that Howard Simpsons book 'Dien Bien Phu: the battle America Forgot" is smaller and an easier read, and one that should be read as an introduction to the subject.
Good point.
I've read Simpson's book several times and like Fall he has a sympathy with the defenders which I enjoy. Simpson made a unique point about running into Bigeard years later at a syposium where Bigeard was speaking, where Bigeard saw Simpson, pointed him out to the crowd and said something like, "see, there is one of the men who shared our experience during this awful battle." Simpson said that, that one comment from Bigeard was comparable to a chest full of medals, or something akin to that.
/martini/
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Post by cookie on Jul 3, 2009 12:58:34 GMT -5
Yeah that is something that lends an extra credence to Simpsons book - he was there, at least at the beginning. There is a good photo of Bigeard featured in the copy of his book that I own. Bigeard is handing a field phone to a subordinate, Simpson is in the rear left. Bigeard has scrawled a message to Simpson on it. What a guy.
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Post by can on Mar 7, 2019 6:21:38 GMT -5
I am reading "The Last Valley" now. Good book. I have read Fall's work and Simpsons and agree with the above posters. Windrows work is very complete and does a good job putting the entire time in perspective.
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Post by can on Mar 25, 2019 14:32:37 GMT -5
Just finished Windrows book. I've read many accounts of DBP. This was an excellent piece of work. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not read this one.
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Post by lew on Mar 26, 2019 12:09:30 GMT -5
I've only perused through it at a book shop. While it looked decent, Bernard Fall and Ted Morgan's books together seem to give a better picture of both the battle and the politico-military events surrounding it.
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Post by gabrielle on May 6, 2022 6:39:18 GMT -5
Time for re-reading......
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