No More Vietnams

In this article, Anderson explores the reasons that make the resolution of key historical questions regarding the Vietnam War elusive and that make it difficult for scholars as well as laypersons to understand the conflict and consider the ramifications of its meaning for American diplomatic and military doctrines. His compelling reflection leads to an unavoidable conclusion of particular relevance as the American people face the challenge of Iraq: the American war in Vietnam could have and should have been avoided. This article has been previously published in The War That Never Ends: New Perspectives on the Vietnam War, edited by David L. Anderson and John Ernst and published by the University Press of Kentucky, 2007