Summons of Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective

by Dave Richard Palmer

A history of American military involvement in Vietnam traces the course of American intervention from 1954 and the first advisors, through the era of escalation, to the final departure in the 1970s

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, War

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Lieutenant General Dave Richard Palmer is an American retired military officer, military historian and educational administrator. He served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point 1986-1991.

Reviews

[Kurt Reichenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary/history of the Vietnam war written just a few years after its "ending." I think it's a good book for beginners interested in learning about the war from a high level. There isn't a lot of political opinion or revision going on. I was interested from beginning to end. Enough to read other books about some of the events and battles described here.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It should probably be a text book for High School and College courses on the war. I saw that another reviewer called it "Clear and Concise"- right on. Palmer encapsulates the war in easily digestible bits and then uses examples wisely. There are almost enough maps. The book, like the war crescendos with Tet 1968- won and lost in the same month. I think more modern works assess the motives and methods of the Hanoi Politburo more deeply using newer information, but Palmer does a very good job with the information he has. Anyone with even the remotest interest in the war should read the book as it explodes commonly held myths left and right. If a history book can be a page-turner- this is one. Military enthusiasts and modellers will find this a great starting point, wargamers will appreciate the strategic and tactical discussions, so plainly but effectively handled.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was required reading for me in an American military history class, and for good reason: Palmer was a hawk, and a colonel at the time of the war I believe, but he pulls no punches about where he feels America went both right and wrong.

[David Teska · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first books I ever read about the Vietnam War. Not necessarily the best but one that attempted to explain the U.S. prosecution of the war and why it went so bad.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Palmer, who both fought and studied Vietnam provides the history of American involvement, Vietnamization, domestic dissent and stalemate of the conflict resulting in defeat.

Why I started this book: I buy books at a greater rate than I can read them. I started reading this to bring the ratio back into a reasonable balance.

Why I finished it: This was a concise history of the Vietnam War published in 1978; within years of American exit and communist overthrow. As such it is an accurate portrayal of the what happened; but it didn't have enough time or the resources to show why and how... not to mention the effect. For example Nixon is given credit for his work to end the conflict, but it was not know that he had spike the Johnson peace talks in order to win the presidency.

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A confessed hawks interpretation of the history of the Vietnam War from start to finish. Essentially he says wh should have, and could have won if the soldiers hadn't been held back by the politicians. General war-mongery, but nevertheless, a fairly interesting read.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like the PBS series "Battlefield Vietnam" in book form. That means that it is good history, correct history, and unbiased history. It shows the Vietnam War for what it really was, not how the media portrays it.

[Jefferson Coombs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the battles of Vietnam. It was worth the read but not great.