Asian Studies Commons^™

Vietnam, Four American Perspectives: Lectures, George S. Mcgovern, William C. Westmoreland, Edward N. Luttwak, Thomas J. Mccormick, Patrick F. Hearden

Purdue University Press Books

This collection of speeches delivered in 1987 presents the widely diverging opinions of four men: an eminent politician, a professional soldier, a government consultant, and a distinguished scholar. The first contributor, Senator George S. McGovern, ran as the Democratic candidate for president in 1972 on a platform that called for the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. The second speaker, General William C. Westmoreland, commanded American military forces in Vietnam until growing battlefield casualties and economic costs undermined support for the strategy of attrition in the United States. The third essay is by Edward N. Luttwak, a strong advocate for …