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Rating: 
Summary: Accurate or not; It was a part of history lost
Review: Difficult to criticise such a book. Nonetheless, the accumulation of sometimes small, sometimes big inaccuracies casts a shadow on the value of the work of Mrs.Hamilton-Meritt. There is strong evidence of massive -to the Laotian scale- use of toxic agents against Laotian opponents to the present regime, including voluntary targetting of civilians. This book is a useful testimony of the suffering of a population extensively used by the US governement and then quietly abandonned. But it is maybe not as clear-cut as exposed. Opium is an issue altogether avoided. The French actively promoted its cultivation to take advantage of the smoking habits of some Indonchinese. French Indonchina was a net importer of raw opium, and it certainly was not for 'medical uses'. The hill-tribes continued their ancestral cultivation of the poppy during the various conflicts and still do. All sides found a profit there, either because of a direct involvement in the traffic, or more beningly in perceiving a tax on the raw opium or ensuring its safe passage in their zone of control for a fee. Not a word of this in the book. Similarly, posing the Neutralists as straight allies of the Communists is rather surprising, at best. Finally, the Hmong were not alone, some Laotian officers and soldiers were brave, and the Thais also played a major role in MR2, with up to 16 infantry battalions and 3 artillery battalions in the field. The reality has a few more shades of grey than this book.
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Summary: This book tought me a lot about my ancestors and our culture
Review: Even though I have many things I need to do for school, night after night, I could not resist reading a chapter of this book, then two, then three chapters. The details and specifics incorporated in this book are overwhelming and it is those details that touch your heart, especially because those details are so horrible and at the same time true. What happen to us during the Vietnam War is not known to many outside of the Hmong. By reading this book I gained a much greater appreciation for my own culture. I know that I should probably know something of this and that I have my relatives to go to if I want to hear stories of this nature. But it is hard for me to ask them that and they are busy and so am I. It certainly made an impact on my life, and I will devour any other books about us. I find myself thinking why I am not a sociology major instead of a chemistry major. Never did I know the true involvement of the Hmong in the CIA's actions in SE Asia. A MUST READ!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: an informative history
Review: I believe Jane Hamilton-Merritt did her job as a journalist... but there were many incorrect things in the book... She has become a big representative of the Hmong struggle in Laos... thus, I feel it necessary that these mistakes be corrected...overall, the book was very informative... I've learned a lot from the book... and I do recommend it...
Rating:
Summary: Candlestick Fac analysis
Review: Jane Hamilton-Merritt's research and reporting is outstanding.After serving as a Candlestick fac (NKP 1969-1970),I have spent the last three years reading about these poor people who gave so much for the American aircrews.. I spent a two week'Sabbatical" at 20 alternate and was shocked by the yound age of V.P.s troops.Ms. jane has portrayed it brilliantly....Her work is phenomenal and should be required reading for the war colleges She correctly questions why any country would sign a treaty with the United States.. The genocide which we have supported by "sticking our heads in the sand" is grievous.I retired early from the USAF since I lost confidence in our government.Indeed even the services spent a great deal of their time trying to absorb each other's missions,rather than dealing with the losing battle in SEA in the 1970s.. The administration never told the American people that we were actually fighting against Russian and Chinese advisors leave alone that we were in Laos for almost ten years. .Every congressman should also read about this stain on our moral fiber .Somehow,there are more important things in this life than being reelected .Thank you and Bless Ms. Hamilton-Merritt for trying to wake up Washington. The best treatise ever on our Laotian allies !
Rating:
Summary: UNTOLD HISTORY
Review: THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS" GIVES ME AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY IN THE PAST. ALSO, A REASON WHY HMONG WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE SHADOWS BECAUSE THEY HAD MADE LOAS A HISTORY BY JOINED WITH THE AMERICANS TO FOUGHT AGANIST COMMUNIST. IT INSPIRED ME IN MANY WAYS WHICH I CAN NOT EXPLAIN BUT WITH TEARS AND FEARS. NOW THAT THE HISTORY IS TOLD IN THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS," I FELT THAT IT IS MY DESTINATION TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA. "BY MAKING A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA, IT WILL BECAME PART OF OUR HISTORY," SAID NELSON NAGAI.
Rating:
Summary: UNTOLD HISTORY
Review: THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS" GIVES ME AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY IN THE PAST. ALSO, A REASON WHY HMONG WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE SHADOWS BECAUSE THEY HAD MADE LOAS A HISTORY BY JOINED WITH THE AMERICANS TO FOUGHT AGANIST COMMUNIST. IT INSPIRED ME IN MANY WAYS WHICH I CAN NOT EXPLAIN BUT WITH TEARS AND FEARS. NOW THAT THE HISTORY IS TOLD IN THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS," I FELT THAT IT IS MY DESTINATION TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA. "BY MAKING A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA, IT WILL BECAME PART OF OUR HISTORY," SAID NELSON NAGAI.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncritical
Review: This book is a fine example of utterly uncritical journalism. She starts out from accepting that the Hmong are victims of yellow rain and from this proceeds to "prove" it without first questionning whether the underlying assumption is valid. While one cannot but have sympathy for the Hmong (as for any people caught up in violent events largely of their own making) this should not mean that one ceases to have a brain. A useful balance to this right wing book is Grant Evans' book called, if I recollect correctly, "Yellow Rain". Also, Vang Pao was a heroin dealer and a CIA tool. Merritt conveniently overlooks this and places no responsibility at the door of this self-seeking greedy warlord.
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Summary: This book is chillfully accurate and educational.
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to know what the Vietnam War was like from the perspectives of the Hmong people. Jane Hamilton-Merritt has done a wonderful job in "recording" a hidden part of history which would otherwise be lost if not for books like this.
Rating:
Summary: Tragic Mountains
Review: What can I say but " WOW ". I didnt really know all the facts untill i read this book. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that i was born during this era and which was the reason why my mother too busy dodging bullets to remember my birthday. I recomend this book to everyone. Also im writing a book about the Hmong youths of America. This book is an insperation to me. If you have any input please let me know.
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