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Valley of the Shadow: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu
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Using new material unearthed in French archives, Vietnameselanguage publications, and the testimony of veterans, this book, now in paperback, offers a new perspective on the climactic French defeat at Dien Bien Phu which took place during the First Indochina Warthe conflict that set the stage for the Vietnam War.Following the end of World War II, France attempted to reassert control over its colonies in Indochina. In Vietnam, this was resisted by the Viet Minh leading to the First Indochina War. By 1954, the French army was on the defensive and determined to force the Viet Minh into a decisive setpiece battle at Dien Bien Phu.Over the past five decades, Western authors have generally followed a standard narrative of the siege of Dien Bien Phu, depicting the Viet Minh besiegers as a faceless horde which overwhelmed the intrepid garrison by sheer weight of numbers, superior firepower, and logistics. However, a wealth of new Vietnameselanguage sources tell a very different story, revealing for the first time the true Viet Minh order of battle and the details of the severe logistical constraints within which the besiegers had to operate. Using these sources, complemented by interviews with French veterans and research in the French Army and French Foreign Legion archives, this book, now publishing in paperback, provides a new telling of the climactic battle in the Indochina War, the conflict that set the stage for the Vietnam War a decade later.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Valley of the Shadow: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu'? A: The book provides a new perspective on the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu during the First Indochina War, using newly uncovered material from various sources.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Valley of the Shadow: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu' is Kevin Boylan.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 368 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of the book is published in paperback binding.
- Q: When was the book published? A: The book was published on July 23, 2019.
- Q: What new insights does this book offer compared to previous accounts? A: It reveals the true order of battle of the Viet Minh and discusses the logistical constraints they faced, differing from the standard narrative typically presented.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers unfamiliar with the First Indochina War? A: Yes, the book provides a comprehensive overview and new insights, making it accessible for readers new to the subject.
- Q: What materials did the author use to research this book? A: The author utilized new material from French archives, Vietnamese-language publications, and interviews with veterans.
- Q: Is 'Valley of the Shadow' a reprint or a first edition? A: This book is a reprint edition.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of colonialism, military strategy, and the complexities of the First Indochina War.