Strategy for Defeat: Vietnam in Retrospect

by Ulysses S. Grant Sharp Jr.

As Commander in Chief Pacific (CINCPAC), Admiral Sharp commanded the air war over North Vietnam from its beginnings until mid-1968. His cogent and provocative analysis of the powers and limitations of airpower are just as relevant today as they were when first published twenty years ago. The author has added a new introduction to this edition.

Genres: History

354 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Joe Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, this book should be mandatory reading for anyone who is truly interested in what happened during the Vietnam War.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vietnam was a tragic mistake for our military efforts which led to years of countless pain for the South Vietnamese under the yoke of communism. Many of my coworkers were refugees from Vietnam who desired to work for the American DOD as repayment. They always made me feel very glad to be working with such honorable people.

The author was the CINCPAC during the early years of Vietnam including the Tet Offensive. Most of the story is concerns the air war and the restrictions placed on our Navy and Air Force power. Those restrictions ultimately led to the continuation of the war as stated by the author. I concur. As a witness to air power during the first and second Gulf Wars, I can only imagine how things would have been different had Linebacker II occurred earlier.

Vietnam is always a difficult subject that brings out many conflicted emotions among us Americans, especially those wearing the uniform including myself. I found this one enlightening and recommend it.

[Tom Nolan]

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