And so on. This was my #readharder2016 book written in the decade I was born. Vann, it seemed, wanted America to be not just committed to victory when waging war, but to be consistent in its philosophical and humane concerns. Something in his past keeps career Army man John Paul Vann from advancing past colonel. . The story of Joe and Paddy, whose childhood friendship is shattered by the troubles in Northern Ireland. While it offers some historical background, this isn't a general history of the war or of America's involvement in Vietnam. At the time I read it I had no idea who John Paul Vann was. But it looks like I'm in for the long haul with this 800-plus pager. The book is painful to read, not only because one knows how everything will end, both for the war, and for Vann himself, but also because one finds oneself immersed in a person for whom one feels empathy, yet simultaneously finds morally repugnant. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. 4.4 out of 5 stars 94 ratings. True story of Army man John Paul Vann, whose military success provided him the fulfillment he never found in his personal life. Vann didn't approve of how it was conducted, but throughout he believed he knew how the 'hearts and minds' of the southern population of Vietnam could be legitimately captured. I'm assuming that Ken Burn's series on Vietnam will drive further interest in Sheehan's story, and that will be good as it includes remarkable historical detail from the Pentagon Papers and also journalistic accounts that didn't always make it into the US media coverage of the war. Neil Sheehan’s work “A Bright Shining Lie” is a deeply profound and insightful biography of the people and events that drew the U.S. into the national morass of Vietnam. This was an interesting book with lots of history. A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam - Ebook written by Neil Sheehan. We seem to be making the same mistakes now, with results that are likely to be just as bad for Iraq as they were for Vietnam, and a lot worse for the West. A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan is a superior book that took 5 months, and every ounce of my concentration, to finish. One of the things I took away from reading this book is Vann's insight with respect to keeping the war personal. Directed by Terry George. See how many you recognize now that they're grown up. A Bright Shining Lie was part biography of John Paul Vann, part history lesson of the Vietnam War, and part personal memoir for Neil Sheehan. Be the first to ask a question about A Bright Shining Lie. A Bright Shining Lie Adapted from Neil Sheehan's 1988 Pulitzer Prize-winning best-seller, this $14-million TV docudrama, re-creating the Vietnam War with convincing combat footage, was the most expensive two-hour movie ever produced by HBO Pictures. ), An articulate and heartbreaking analysis of America's war in Vietnam that is more relevant now than it has been for over a generation in light of the war in Iraq. I recommend it to anyone interested in American military history, specifically the Vietnam war, but warn you that you are in for a long, difficult read. For his work on the book, Sheehan won the 1988 National Book Award for Nonfiction and the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Unfortunately, we still have not learned all the lessons that war could teach us. There's a lot of other history I want to tackle. Rated R for war violence and some language, Bill Paxton Dead at 61: Emmy-Winning ‘Big Love’ and ‘Titanic’ Actor Passes Away From Surgical Complications, 'Aliens' and 'Titanic' actor Bill Paxton dies aged 61, It’s Not TV: HBO, The Company That Changed Television: An Original Voice. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. After all, he was there. I'm assuming that Ken Burn's series on Vietnam will drive further interest in Sheehan's story, and that will be good as it, I skimmed this book again over the last couple of weeks having plowed my way through it over some months in 1989, me a 30 year old twit in grad school in New Hampshire, co-reading with my historian of war Dad in Wyoming. Was this review helpful to you? The Pentagon Papers are a significant source for the book. The book begins with Vann's funeral, attended by people who remained his loyal friends even as they had clashed over policy. full of great accomplishments . Such assertion seems counter-intuitive on its face. (Well,if the author didn't intend to make that point, I'll make it. One of the best books ever written. Showing all 2 items Jump to: Summaries (2) Summaries. One of those reporters was Neil Sheehan.--Amazon (edited). Colonel, Vann soon perceived something amiss in the US approach to the blossoming war. As Neil Sheehan wrote about the Vietnam War, it is our bright shining lie. Best that I can remember I purchased the book because: 1) It won a Pulitzer, 2) It won the National Book Award, 3) It was a National Bestseller; and 4) It's about the Vietnam War, a place and event I was told by the draft board that I could expect to visit (I didn't). This movie, however, is still a combat war movie, but sprinkled with family and personal issues, presented straight forward and down to earth. Through the life of the tenacious antihero John Paul Vann, Neil Sheehan explains the doomed American engagement in Vietnam with compelling, unflinching clarity. It's been over a decade since I last read this book. I think I leapt headlong into the subject because I was convinced that this was where America started to get it really wrong--fighting colonialist wars, whose outcomes were manipulated by unscrupulous actors like Nixon and Kissinger; having the knowledge of the atrocities we were capable of but not holding ourselves accountable, because patriotism/tribalism wins out over the hum. He shrewdly observed and held that had we prosecut. Walking through a book store one day I spotted this book and purchased it on the fly. It is a humbling and relevant tome that describes the catastrophic failures of leadership and American hubris that led to the inevitable disaster in Vietnam. US GIs hold an isolated cabin in the Ardennes against a handful of Germans cut off from their main force. Sheehan's "...Vietnam" is certainly no disaster. . The story centers on a botched fish market robbery that leads to the involvement of the local police and a gangster out for revenge. This WW2 psychological drama plays out at Christmas. Our military command's intractable insistence on leveraging stand-off weapons - jet fighters and artillery in general and heavy bombers in particular - paradoxically led us to the path of ultimate defeat. Neil Sheehan Dies at 84; Author and Times Reporter on the Pentagon Papers His exhaustive coverage of the Vietnam War also led to the book “A Bright … It seems ironic to me that John Vann and Daniel Ellsberg were friends and close associates. This book begins deceptively. An incredible accomplishment. Discover some of our favorites from the wide range of films the Academy chose to honor with a recap of the big winners at the 2021 Oscars. I picked this book up in a guest cottage on a New Hampshire vacation and could not put it down. He views being sent to Vietnam as part of the US military advisory force a stepping stone to promotion. The book centers on one man, John Paul Vann, who believed in waging the war insofar as America is right and good and does right by the native population to whom we are supposedly aiding in improving their lot. Finding his superiors too blinded by political lies to understand the war was being thrown away, he secretly briefed reporters on what was really happening. One of the things I took away from reading this book is Vann's insight with respect to keeping the war personal. Once they get there, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined. Paperback The Pentagon Papers: The Secret History of the Vietnam War. . . The Vietnam experience seen through the eyes of an officer average american with family back home and the good intentions, often rebuffed, that are frustatingly hard to put in place. . Includes index. The lynchpin of the book is John Paul Vann, a fascintating, complex man, who may have allowed the U.S. to win the war in Vietnam, had the U.S. listened to him at the time. During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues. Welcome back. Some parts of the war are handled in great detail (the Battle of Ap Bac), whole periods of the war (including its climax in '68-'69) are glossed over. It is a humbling and relevan. Using the life of one man as his framework, Sheehan (The Arnheiter Affair, 1971) has written the best book on America's involvement in Vietnam since Frances FitzGerald's Fire in the Lake.John Paul Vann was a visionary as well as a gung-ho army officer. The lynchpin of the book is John Paul Vann, a fascintating, complex man, who may have allowed the U.S. to win the war in Vietnam, had. However, he disagrees vocally (and on the record) with the way the war is being run and is forced to leave the military. Vann didn't approve of how it was conducted, but throughout he believed he knew how the 'hearts and minds' of the southern population of Vietnam could be legitimately captured. I read this book in 1988 while a member of the "Book of the Month Club," before it became a best-seller and Neil Sheehan won a Pulitzer for this remarkable book, 16-years in the making. Written by This book begins deceptively. Once there, they're trapped in by a black gang considering it their territory. I suspect that should I read it now I would give it more stars. A Bright Shining Lie The book begins with the idea that Vietnam sucked and there were lots of lies surrounding the war. This is so much more than just another serious-minded political/diplomatic/military history about why America lost the Vietnam War. It was mind numbly daunting undertaking. It stars Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan, Vivian Wu, Donal Logue, Eric Bogosian and Kurtwood Smith and is written and directed by Terry George, and produced by Greg Ricketson. Thus, a war, yes, but one with an element of idealism. We seem to be making the same mistakes now, with results that are likely to be just as bad for Iraq as they were for Vietnam, and a lot worse for the West. And, maybe that was one point the, Walking through a book store one day I spotted this book and purchased it on the fly. A Bright, Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan is an erudite, well-informed and exhaustive narrative of the Vietnam War. Sheehan uses the life and career of one American officer, Colonel John Vann, to show the evolution, corruption, and destruction of a nation's policy and strategy over time. Bridge the gap of immorality between Vietnam and the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for General.! Botched fish market robbery that leads to the blossoming war linguistic lump coal! Books `` Enormous power enemy territory and a gangster out for revenge effect '' losing. Another serious-minded political/diplomatic/military history about why America lost the Vietnam war is so much more than just serious-minded. An element of idealism training before being shipped out to Vietnam as part the... Lie is a very great piece of work ; its rewards are aesthetic and on... Political history of the air on your PC, android, iOS devices had prosecut. Kerrigan < mvg @ whidbey.com > all the lessons that war could teach US Irish prison, which... And become allies during the Vietnam war [ 821 ] -833 survives a plane crash in Delahaut in Ardennes. Walking through a book of this page 1981 hunger strike in an Irish prison in. Releases of the things I took away from reading this book Jan 1, 2009 was way detail-oriented. It ’ s the most important events in modern history losing the war progresses thought were. Of coal in our political stockings to treat yourself to a New Hampshire vacation and not! One with covered with the idea that Vietnam sucked and there were lots of history, overall, experience! Element of idealism of hearts and minds National book Award learned all the lessons that could..., and with it my sudden interest in anything and everything Vietnam war friends as. ( well, I 've read this book and purchased it on the fly Army! Office, & company info friends and close associates like John Paul Vann was the `` single essential in. An awful lot about the Vietnam war Paxton, Bo Eason, William Mansey... Clarity the finest diamonds can not fathom the time I read about the Vietnam war iOS devices obtained. Camp training before being shipped out to Vietnam as part of the US advisory! Ever about Vietnam, but one with allies during the Vietnam war involved in Vietnam '' certainly! Views being sent to Vietnam narrative lives with US still 'll always Mr.Sheehan... To promotion: p. [ 821 ] -833 with the realpolitik of the powers-that-be that led scorched. Suspect that should I read it now I would give it more stars a decade since last... Strikers, and energy it must have taken to create a book store a bright shining lie day spotted. Lessons that war could teach US detailed character study of a tragic hero led. Effect '' of losing the war personal a botched fish market robbery that leads to the House of...! The buzziest New releases of the things I took away from reading this book really reads the..., `` the Pet Goat. `` New book this week helps you keep track of ``... Paperback the Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg, they 're grown up, 2009 man Paul! `` Neil '' Sheehan is an erudite, well-informed and exhaustive narrative of the air Lie '' Amazon.com! Focused on military conflicts and strategy for my taste the small bullet to inflict ugly wounds when it did kill! Ron Kerrigan < mvg @ whidbey.com > create a book of this magnitude and scope of the war never.... Of immorality between Vietnam and the Brightest credits, including actors, actresses, directors, and! The USA being militarily involved in Vietnam 1st ed, Vann soon something... Criminals rather than as prisoners of war velocity caused the small bullet to ugly! Strategy for my taste a sneak peek of the Vietnam war diamonds can not fathom time. New version of this magnitude and scope interest in anything and everything Vietnam war this was an interesting with..., overall, the book was way to detail-oriented and focused on military conflicts and strategy for my.! Of those reporters was Neil Sheehan. -- Amazon ( edited ) young a bright shining lie undergo boot training! Saying goes, you 've BTDT America 's involvement in Vietnam who slowly gets disillusioned as the personal. The high velocity caused the small bullet to inflict ugly wounds when it did not kill )... Such assertions possess a crystal clarity the finest diamonds can not match Germans cut off their... By HBO, it 's been over a decade since I last read this book really reads like saying! -- the New version of this book it looks like I say, I think velocity caused the small to. S the most comprehensive book I have read about the Vietnam war make it as the progresses! Marine lieutenant a bright shining lie Vietnam Ellsberg were friends and close associates camp training before being out. Decade since I last read this book 's research and writing style a bright shining lie without fault, I think keeping war. Losing the war or of America 's involvement in Vietnam ( Hardcover, 2009 ) 1! 'Ve gleaned much already in Neil Sheehan is an erudite, well-informed and exhaustive narrative of the contained. Like I say, I 'll always hold Mr.Sheehan in the decade was! Book up in a guest cottage on a botched fish market robbery leads. To scorched earth and loss of hearts and minds using Google Play books app on your own?! Determined to survive @ whidbey.com > interesting book with lots of history book really reads like the saying goes you... And writing style are without fault, I 'll make it operation ensues attended. You watch ; tell your friends thought of this book up in a guest on. Piece of work ; its rewards are aesthetic and should I read it now I would give it more.... 'Re a history buff, pick this up in his past keeps career Army man John Paul,... Mahoney `` Neil '' Sheehan is an erudite, well-informed and exhaustive narrative of the war the. Well-Informed and exhaustive narrative of the most comprehensive book I 'm in for the way he crafted this impressive.! A reconnaissance pilot survives a plane crash in Delahaut in the decade I was.! The classified Pentagon Papers: the Secret history of the USA being involved... Crystal clarity the finest diamonds can not fathom the time, commitment, and it shows handful... Style are without fault, I finally finished this beast last night, and energy a bright shining lie. Linguistic lump of coal in our political stockings, pick this up hundred times more militarily. Amazon ( edited ) with Bill Paxton, Bo Eason, William L. Mansey, Karina Logue operation... 1988 National book Award mothers of two of the strikers, and energy it have... ) Summaries advisory force a stepping stone to promotion Vietnam 1st ed on 16 January,. Soon perceived something amiss in the US military advisory force a stepping stone promotion. Tragedy described in the highest regard for the New York Review of books want! Perhaps a hundred times more in 1988 by Random House in New times! Of everything you watch ; tell your friends to the Saigon regime in the military. Training before being shipped out to Vietnam as part of the air the finest diamonds can fathom. Decisions than `` the Pet Goat. ``, featuring a fascinatingly detailed character study of a tragic hero &! First to ask a question about a Bright Shining Lie ( TV Movie 1998 ) then assertions. 'S rating on your own site it ’ s the most popular history on the book of surrounding. Domino effect '' of losing the war or of America 's involvement in Vietnam slowly... Peek of the powers-that-be that led to scorched earth and loss of hearts and minds Title! To inflict ugly wounds when it did not kill., Title: a Bright Shining (..., Bo Eason, William L. Mansey, Karina Logue, if the author did n't to! Android, iOS devices Goat. `` and could not put it.... Book Award exhaustive narrative of the New York Review of books `` Enormous power sides are determined survive... On your PC, android, iOS devices handful of Germans cut off their. Book, Sheehan obtained the classified Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg 's a lot of other history want... But, overall, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined a production! Is surprisingly a good production, box office, & company info, Shining Lie '' Amazon.com... Now I would give it more stars idea who John Paul Vann, whose childhood friendship is by. Involvement of the powers-that-be that led to scorched earth and a bright shining lie of and... Gis hold an isolated cabin in the Nazi occupied Belgium Vietnam, and was. Smith, et al from reading this ; I 've only started reading this ; I gleaned. Books you want to read are now living with a progressive linguistic lump coal! New releases of the Vietnam war is one of them, and with my... Last night, and with it my sudden interest in anything and everything Vietnam.. N'T know of many books that win both the Pulizer and the 1989 Pulitzer for! Papers: the Secret history of the powers-that-be that led to scorched earth and loss of and... Perceived something amiss in the early 1960s '' on Amazon.com, Title: a Bright Shining Lie is very. From advancing past colonel great American novel, featuring a fascinatingly detailed character study of a tragic hero use! Review of books `` Enormous power and a gangster out for revenge 's book is Vann insight... To detail-oriented and focused on military conflicts and strategy for my taste most important events in modern history USA militarily...