This is the definitive story of one of the longest and most controversial conflicts in US history. Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution, this authoritative history of the Vietnam War examines its people, politics, events, and lasting effects from a global perspective. Combining compelling text with maps and incredible archive photography, A Short History of the Vietnam War is both an all-encompassing showcase of every aspect of the conflict and a reflection on its role in issues such as the struggle for civil rights and the treatment of prisoners of war. Detailed descriptions of every event from Operation Passage to Freedom to the evacuation of the US embassy in Saigon, are enhanced by eyewitness tales from those who were there and augmented by iconic photographs, giving you a truly immersive look at this controversial conflict. Gallery pages present collections of infantry weapons, artillery, aircraft, and armored vehicles, while diagrams and maps show exactly how battles and decisive moments unfolded. The stories of the war's most significant figures are told, too, with biographies of key players including Henry Kissinger, General Thieu, and President Nixon. A powerful gift for the military enthusiast, A Short History of the Vietnam War is a stirring visual record of the suffering, sacrifice, and heroism that occurred in America's bloodiest conflict of the 20th century.