Rating: 
Summary: If Only Our Leader's Had Read It!
Review: In the last few years there's been many books about the ground war in Vietnam. The grandfather of such authors has to be Bernard Fall with this book and also "Hell In a Very Small Place". "Street Without Joy" does get a little slow in places but is well worth capturing Fall's vision of what was and also what might have been. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the particulars of our early involvement in SEA. Just think of the young boys that could have grown old pursing life, liberty and happiness if just a few decision-makers would have read this book and heeded the caution.If you're going to read both of these books, I'd suggest "Hell In A Very Small Place" first simply because of the chronology. A must for anyone wanting to learn about the ground war in Vietnam.
Rating:
Summary: "Those Who Do Not Remember The Past. . ."
Review: In this first hand account of the French war in Vietnam, Dr. Bernard Fall provides a critical analysis of French combat operations in a war that lasted from 1946 to 1954. Over 94,500 gallant, French soldiers died in this vain, yet valiant attempt to contain communism in Southeast Asia. What could and should we have learned from this tragedy? Lessons learned included the folly of employing heavy, road-bound, mechanized/armored forces that were highly vulnerable to Viet-Cong (VC) ambushes, effective use of the jungle as a sanctuary by the VC, underestimating the stamina of the VC, and the ultimate war-weariness that caused the French public to rebel at fighting a seemingly endless conflict for no tangible gain. Add to this, the close coordination of political and military objectives that caused the Viet-Cong to sacrifice people, places and things to achieve a single objective: A Vietnam united under Communism. Does this sound familiar? This book, published in 1961, was readily available in the U.S. If it was read, it was ignored. Fall gives detailed accounts of communist tactics and the results that accrued to French commanders who refused to recognize the fact that, "the (tactics) book," they had been schooled under simply did not apply in Vietnam. Amazingly, the U.S. then deployed our troops to Vietnam, with our own officers schooled by the same, "book!" Gallantry, esprit-de-corp, machismo, and/or faith in a righteous cause were no more effective against well-laid ambushes in the '60s and '70s than they were in the '40s and '50s. The lessons of history were there for the reading. Why we refused to heed them is a mystery that still calls for an answer. Street Without Joy is not a left-wing condemnation of western "imperialism," or, the evils of "intervention." Fall neither condemns nor condones the goal of containing communism. He merely analyzes reasons for the French defeat. There was no precedent for fighting a "revolutionary war," prior to the French experience. The same could not be said for the U.S. If the French defeat was borne of ignorance; America's came seemingly from arrogance. George Santayana said, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it." There are two lessons to be learned here: First, tactical schemes should be derived from the terrain and situation, not from blind adherence to, "the book." Books can be altered. Terrain, climate, and enemy forces cannot. Second, never again should U.S. troops be compelled to walk any, "street without joy," that is combat, without conducting a thorough review of the mistakes made by our predecessors. Reinventing the wheel is not only inefficient; in war, it is deadly! Ninety-four thousand, five hundred eighty-one crosses scattered throughout Indo-china, each bearing the name of a French soldier testifies to the truth of lesson one. Over 50,000 American names on, "The Wall," silently attest to the second.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent expose of why the French always lost
Review: It is plain in this book why the French lost every wars without help, or honour since 1870! Fighting an elusive enemy in the 2oth Century's fluid wars (hit and run guerilla warfare, infiltration and ambushes, flanking and envelopments) with 19th Century Boer war tactics (fortresses, supply columns) doomed the French to repeated defeats and national humiliations galore in the 4 corners of the earth ( Indo-china, Algeria).
Rating:
Summary: A warning unheeded
Review: It's heartbreaking to think how differently the twentieth century might have ended had the powers that be in the U.S. read and, more importantly, paid attention to this book. Bernard Fall describes brilliantly the strategy and tactics used by Vo Nguyen Giap and the Viet Minh against the French. These tactics changed very little from one war to the next yet we, forewarned (assuming we had read this book), walked right into it. This is a classic example of the old axiom that he who fails to learn from history is doomed to repeat it. What I found particularly disturbing about 'Street Without Joy ' is Giap's description of the evolution of his enemies' tactics; an initial offensive, slowing and turning into a defensive war with a growing amount of public sentiment against involvement. Does this sound familiar?
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: Nobody should begin to try to understand the catastrophe that U.S. involvement in Vietnam (& indeed in Laos & Cambodia) became without first reading Bernard B. Fall's 'Street Without Joy'. Many of America's generals read it, but as events show, they didn't understand it or take its lessons to heart. Fall's account of the French Union Forces' experience in Southeast Asia is gritty, down-to-earth, fearless, & accurate. He went beyond the official communiques & press releases, beyond the brief of the usual war correspondents of the French Indochina War & thus, into 'Street Without Joy', Fall perspicaciously packed wealth of detail & nuance. 'Street Without Joy' is a bit dated in lexicon (but this latest edition contains an apt new foreword that does much to help the reader gain a useful appreciation of Fall's viewpoint), but its central truths remain accurate & valid & worthy of absorption by citizens, politicians, & military leaders alike. This book is a "must read" for any Vietnam-era scholar or writer, & many of its lessons continue to apply today in the war against terrorism. Of course one should follow reading 'Street Without Joy' with a reading of Fall's masterpiece on the siege of Dien Bien Phu, 'Hell in a Very Small Place'. This pair of books has enduring value as histories, & as illumination for present-day & future citizens, soldiers, & leaders.
Rating:
Summary: A cynical, serious look at a rotten war!
Review: The late Bernard Fall presents a hard-hitting, cynical history of the French period in Vietnam in the 10 years just after WW2 and an even more critical look at the early U.S. efforts in the early 1960s. This is not light reading and its not pretty.It will give an accurate description of what the "West" faced over there. As any Vietnam Vet would attest, there is nothing "light" or "pretty" about that place and cynical is the only appropriate attitude. It's so obvious now how Ho Chi Minh and General Giap were successful."If only we knew then..." Mr. Fall also does a first rate job in compressing the conflict into less than 400 pages (including notes and appendices). He didn't have to recount every battle to paint his picture. This reader appreciates his account of Viet Cong convoy attacks -from only one first hand experience- they put cook, clerk and grunt alike in equal, sudden and random danger. Its ironic that the author met his sudden death in just that way. Serious students of the French years in Vietnam should read "Street Without Joy" first and then proceed to "Hell In a Very Small Place", which concentrates on the tragic but heroic struggle of the French Army at the garrison at Dien Bien Phu. Were he still with us,I'm sure M. Fall was one of those guys it would be great to hava a few beers with. What stories he could tell! I'd love to know more about the two prostitutes who were commended for bravery and proposed for medals! What would Westy say about that!
Rating:
Summary: The best book on the French IndoChina War!
Review: The late Bernard Fall provided us with the two best books on the First IndoChina War, or the French IndoChina War. The two book are "Street Without Joy" and "Hell in a very Small Place". These two books should be read to together, preferably "Street Without Joy" being the first book read. This book is required reading for any serious student of the French IndoChina War. It is a pity that many of the political leaders in the United States did not read these book and take away the lessons they imparted.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on the French IndoChina War!
Review: The late Bernard Fall provided us with the two best books on the First IndoChina War, or the French IndoChina War. The two book are "Street Without Joy" and "Hell in a very Small Place". These two books should be read to together, preferably "Street Without Joy" being the first book read. This book is required reading for any serious student of the French IndoChina War. It is a pity that many of the political leaders in the United States did not read these book and take away the lessons they imparted.
Rating:
Summary: A classic history of an unknown war
Review: The Vietnam War encompassed thirty years; 1945-1975. The first nine years were fought between the French and the Viet Minh and, after the defeat at Dienbenphu, the French exited, defeated and demoralized. This book is the best history of that campaign, bar none Unlike many histories of conflicts, this effort by Dr. Fall is not so much a study of each battle, or a chronological log of the French Indochina War, as it is a series of fascinating vignettes. The overall theme is a catalogue of the seemingly endless French tendency to underestimate the foe. Included in the history of French military defeats, and occasional victories, are studies of such things as the role of women in the war and the decimation of a superbly equipped French task force by concerted, brilliantly conceived guerrilla activity by the Viet Minh. The role of the French Foreign Legion is examined, as is the history of the French desire to seek a set battlefield, which of course, they got in Dienbenphu, to their regret. The book ends with Dienbenphu and an epilogue. Interestingly, the book was published in 1961, just as the United States was preparing to enter the conflict in South Vietnam. Dr. Fall crisply and presciently points out the parallels between the views of the defeated French and the heedless, entering Americans. Had the right people read and heeded this book, perhaps we would not have The Wall in Washington D.C. today. Ironically, Dr. Fall was killed in 1967 in Vietnam, when he stepped on a landmine. This book at once serves as his memorial, and as a horrifying reminder of what happens when one side enters a war without understanding the culture, ethos, and motive of the other. The book contains numerous black and white photos and maps, and is excellently written in every possible respect. One cannot possibly understand the Vietnam War, including our history in it, without reading this landmark work. It is a true work of genius, and receives the highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: A classic history of an unknown war
Review: The Vietnam War encompassed thirty years; 1945-1975. The first nine years were fought between the French and the Viet Minh and, after the defeat at Dienbenphu, the French exited, defeated and demoralized. This book is the best history of that campaign, bar none Unlike many histories of conflicts, this effort by Dr. Fall is not so much a study of each battle, or a chronological log of the French Indochina War, as it is a series of fascinating vignettes. The overall theme is a catalogue of the seemingly endless French tendency to underestimate the foe. Included in the history of French military defeats, and occasional victories, are studies of such things as the role of women in the war and the decimation of a superbly equipped French task force by concerted, brilliantly conceived guerrilla activity by the Viet Minh. The role of the French Foreign Legion is examined, as is the history of the French desire to seek a set battlefield, which of course, they got in Dienbenphu, to their regret. The book ends with Dienbenphu and an epilogue. Interestingly, the book was published in 1961, just as the United States was preparing to enter the conflict in South Vietnam. Dr. Fall crisply and presciently points out the parallels between the views of the defeated French and the heedless, entering Americans. Had the right people read and heeded this book, perhaps we would not have The Wall in Washington D.C. today. Ironically, Dr. Fall was killed in 1967 in Vietnam, when he stepped on a landmine. This book at once serves as his memorial, and as a horrifying reminder of what happens when one side enters a war without understanding the culture, ethos, and motive of the other. The book contains numerous black and white photos and maps, and is excellently written in every possible respect. One cannot possibly understand the Vietnam War, including our history in it, without reading this landmark work. It is a true work of genius, and receives the highest recommendation.
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