The Vietnam War, often termed the first “television” war, has left a lasting imprint not only on history but also as a profound source of inspiration for writers who have delved into its origins, consequences, and the fundamental errors that led the United States into such a prolonged conflict.
**FICTION**
**”The Quiet American” by Graham Greene (1955)**
Graham Greene’s British classic emerged as a profound foresight to the events that would unfold in Vietnam. The protagonist, Alden Pyle, a naive CIA operative, is driven by his belief in creating a “Third Force” in Vietnam, which can only exist in books. Greene’s novel predates substantial U.S. engagement in Vietnam yet eerily forecasts the nation’s deadly ignorance toward the complicated landscape they sought to mend.
**”The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien (1990)**
Tim O’Brien’s 1990 collection of stories stands as one of the finest pieces inspired by the Vietnam narrative. Drawing from his personal military draft experience in the late 60s, O’Brien’s bestseller provides a vivid array of interconnected tales, of soldiers wearing their girlfriend’s stockings for luck, and vivid narratives of confrontations with the enemy. This work has become a staple in understanding Vietnam, even inspiring an art exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.
**”Matterhorn” by Karl Marlantes (2009)**
In “Matterhorn,” Karl Marlantes converted his experiences into a sprawling story about a college graduate in a Marine unit attempting to secure a base close to Laos. Echoing the themes in “The Quiet American,” Marlantes conveys disillusionment, revealing how social privilege and education offer no protection in the face of real warfare, where each tactical decision is fraught with peril.
**”The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015)**
Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2016, Nguyen’s debut novel “The Sympathizer” is pivotal in Vietnamese-American literature. The novel follows a conflicted spy for North Vietnam who navigates identity and allegiance, from Hollywood to post-war Vietnam. “I am also a man of two minds,” claims the protagonist, epitomizing the dual identities many like him grappled with.
**”The Mountains Sing” by Nguy?n Phan Qu? Mai (2020)**
Nguy?n Phan Qu? Mai uses an intergenerational lens to portray Vietnam’s turbulent history in her novel. Alternating between narratives from a grandmother in the 1920s and a granddaughter 40 years later, the book charts the nation’s 20th-century journey through colonialism and warfare. Qu? Mai dedicates her work to ancestors who navigated the harsh realities of the Vietnam War.
**NONFICTION**
**”The Best and the Brightest” by David Halberstam (1972)**
David Halberstam’s incisive work documents the missteps of the so-called intellectual elite who led the U.S. into Vietnam. His investigative prowess highlights how advisors from the Kennedy and Johnson eras grossly misunderstood Vietnam and flawed strategic planning, illuminating their collective oversight of cultural and historical contexts.
**”Fire in the Lake” by Frances FitzGerald (1972)**
Contemporaneous with Halberstam’s book, FitzGerald’s “Fire in the Lake” stands out as another early critical analysis of Vietnam. It arises from firsthand observations and extensive research, critiquing the U.S.’s ignorant approach to Vietnamese culture and its dire consequences.
**”Dispatches” by Michael Herr (1977)**
Incorporating a distinct narrative style reminiscent of rock ‘n’ roll, Michael Herr’s “Dispatches” captures raw experiences from his time reporting for Esquire. Through vivid storytelling, Herr brings to life the chaotic environment faced by soldiers and journalists alike during the war.
**”Bloods” by Wallace Terry (1984)**
Wallace Terry’s “Bloods” played a groundbreaking role in spotlighting the narratives of Black veterans. Through personal accounts, the book outlines the courage and contradictions faced by these soldiers, recounting experiences of respect and discrimination both abroad and at home.
**”A Bright Shining Lie” by Neil Sheehan (1988)**
Neil Sheehan’s “A Bright Shining Lie” offers a comprehensive look into the life of Lt. Col. John Paul Vann, a Vietnam War critic whose life was emblematic of the broader errors in U.S. military strategies. The book showcases Vann’s battles, both on the ground and against misguided leadership, and later served as the basis for an HBO film adaptation.