The finest account to date of American military and political policy from the aftermath of the Tet Offensive to the 'fall' of Saigon. This book should be considered required reading by all students of the American War in Vietnam, whether they are in the classroom, the newsroom, the sitting room, or the war room. - Journal of American History ""As Willbanks demonstrates, no expenditure of firepower, blood, or personal heroics can redeem flawed strategies and policies.... Willbanks effectively demonstrates that a flawed U.S. exit policy led to the raising of a Viet Cong flag over Saigon on April 29, 1975."" - Vietnam ""History is not supposed to repeat itself, but one is drawn to some sobering similarities between our current attempts to create a stable and secure Iraq and the legacy of the failed policy of Vietnamization."" - Parameters ""At a time when the United States once again finds itself trying to withdraw with honor from a foreign military entanglement, this book is an excellent read for the professional military officer, diplomat, politician, and academic who hope to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated."" - Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute

James H. Willbanks is a professor in the Combat Studies Institute at the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas