In the Jaws of History

'Simply the best book so far on the diplomatic machinations of that tragic war' - Virginia Kirkus. '"In the Jaws of History" is an important contribution to our understanding of the Vietnam War. Americans should read it for that alone, but also because it gives us a candid look at ourselves as the Vietnamese saw us' - Don Cragg, "The Washington Times". 'Diem has written the most extraordinary tour d'horizon of the Vietnam War I have ever read, a document all the more remarkable for its absence of bitterness' - Tom Dowling, "San Francisco Examiner". 'This book gives Americans a rare opportunity - the chance to see the Vietnam experience through Vietnamese eyes. Few Vietnamese know their recent history as well as Bui Diem dos. And none has told it better' - Ambassador William Jorden, former National Security Council member and former delegate to the Vietnamese peace talks.'If we want to see ourselves as others see us' and to ponder what may be the most important and difficult lessons of the whole tragic story, especially in the political sphere, this is surely the best book from which to work' - William P.Bundy, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
'Though it was our war and our country that was at stake, we were so junior a partner in the effort that our voices carried no weight. Undoubtedly, one reason for this was an inferiority complex we brought to the alliance. Another was our blind confidence in the United States, which suggested that however grave our doubts about a particular policy, in the larger scheme they were probably not consequential. The United States possessed such vast power and resources that it would do what it wanted regardless, and we believed it would be successful' - Bui Diem."In the Jaws of History" is the most important book written on the Vietnam War from the viewpoint of the South. Bui Diem held many high government offices in South Vietnam: member of the delegation to the 1954 Geneva Conference, Minister at the Prime Minister Office (1965), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United States (1967-72), Special Envoy to the Paris peace talks (1968) and Ambassador at Large (1973-75.
He was the man called upon to plead South Vietnam's case to its giant ally and had regular personal contact with the highest government officials on both sides: Johnson, Nixon, Thieu, Ky, McNamara, Kissinger, Westmoreland. As chief of staff for Prime Minister Phan Huy Quat, he was required to write the communique 'inviting' U.S. troops into South Vietnam - while they were landing in Danang.As ambassador to the United States, he was accused of trying to influence the 1968 presidential election (a charge fully refuted here). He saw the American liberal press vilify all South Vietnamese politicians as corrupt, ignoring those truly devoted to democracy. And he saw the support of even conservative politicians wither away as America lost interest in the war. This book is must reading for anyone who wants to understand Vietnam and the American war effort there. "Vietnam War Era Classics Series" edited by Jane Hamilton-Merritt and John Clark Pratt.