To What End: Report from Vietnam

Library Journal

"This book should be read because it is neither dovish nor hawkish; it has a pragmatic realism, having been realized by a man who went down to the rice-paddy level of the war to find out what indeed is happening," said LJ's reviewer of this volume, one of the best of the first crop of books written about the Vietnam War while it still raged. The book was praised for its even-handed reporting, which, "while sympathetic to the United States objective, is more than passingly critical of the manner in which we carry out our military and pacification efforts" (LJ 3/15/68). Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Booknews

First published in 1968, the book is the product of Just's 18 months (December, 1965 - May, 1967) as correspondent during the Vietnam War. "The pessimists," Just writes in this more or less characteristic tone, "of course, contended that ... most Vietnamese were not, as the Marines insisted, neutral. They were unfriendly. Force of arms sometimes kept them neutral in deed, rarely in thought. This could never be admitted, despite the evidence, for to admit it would be to say that the Marines were an occupation force." In the new foreword, Just reflects on Vietnam, on himself as a young man, and the development of his ideas since he wrote the book. Just has written 12 novels, including the National Book Award finalist . No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)