Working-Class War: American Combat Soldiers and Vietnam

Christian G. Appy

Nov 2000 · Univ of North Carolina Press

About this ebook

No one can understand the complete tragedy of the American experience in Vietnam without reading this book. Nothing so underscores the ambivalence and confusion of the American commitment as does the composition of our fighting forces. The rich and the powerful may have supported the war initially, but they contributed little of themselves. That responsibility fell to the poor and the working class of America.--Senator George McGovern

"Reminds us of the disturbing truth that some 80 percent of the 2.5 million enlisted men who served in Vietnam--out of 27 million men who reached draft age during the war--came from working-class and impoverished backgrounds. . . . Deals especially well with the apparent paradox that the working-class soldiers' families back home mainly opposed the antiwar movement, and for that matter so with few exceptions did the soldiers themselves.--New York Times Book Review

"[Appy's] treatment of the subject makes it clear to his readers--almost as clear as it became for the soldiers in Vietnam--that class remains the tragic dividing wall between Americans.--Boston Globe

Ratings and reviews

If you're a historian, a student, a teacher or somewhere between all 3 you will find this book very eye opening.. Vietnam is a little known war among young peoples but it's important for minorities and young generations to learn from the mistakes of the past. I read this book because my professor recommended it to me to help with my research essay. Lots of good date in this book as well.

About the author

Christian G. Appy is professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is author of Patriots: The Vietnam War Remembered from All Sides.