Three Faces of Vietnam

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9-Wormser looks at the Vietnamese Conflict through the eyes of antiwar protesters, American GIs, and the Vietnamese people, attempting to capture the feelings and attitudes of that era. He provides good background on the subject of youthful unrest and its evolution into the student protest movement in the U.S., and the history of the French in Vietnam. However, he mentions only major events, often without putting them into perspective. The real arguments for and against the war are left undiscussed. Comments from soldiers and Vietnamese citizens also reflect the antiwar tone of the book. Wormser does describe some of the atrocities committed by the Viet Cong as well as the repression practiced by the South Vietnamese government, but does not discuss the similiar practices of the North Vietnamese. Average-quality black-and-white photos are found throughout. Similiar in attitude and content to Sidney Lens's one-sided discussion in Vietnam (Lodestar, 1990), this book does not have the background, full coverage, and analysis of Albert Marrin's America in Vietnam (Viking, 1992), which is a better choice for most libraries.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Sheilamae O'Hara

Wormser looks at the Vietnam War from a human perspective, narrating the stories of those who fought, those who protested, and those Vietnamese civilians who lived through the conflict. He briefly relates the circumstances that led up to to war, then turns to personal history, respectfully and compassionately letting those who lived through this period tell their own tales. There are idealistic Americans who go to serve their country in Vietnam--some of whom are quickly disillusioned by the carnage, drug use, or confusion about their mission, others who maintain their commitment but are embittered by a lack of direction from their leaders and a lack of support from the American people. And there are the Vietnamese civilians who, alternately used and abused by the Vietcong, the Republicans, and the Americans, find that cooperation with one group often means punishment by another, sometimes including torture and death. Wormser, who was active in the civil rights and antiwar movements, is least effective in making a case for the SDS, Weathermen, and other student protest groups. Their members come across as kids who see protest as an antidote to boredom and enjoy tweaking the tiger's tail. But this book does effectively show the tragic marks the war left on both Vietnamese and Americans. Neutrality was impossible and so, perhaps, was humanity. Sources and a bibliography appended.