Historical Dictionary of the Indochina War (1945–1954): An International and Interdisciplinary Approach - Hardcover

Goscha, Christopher E.

9780824836047: Historical Dictionary of the Indochina War (1945–1954): An International and Interdisciplinary Approach

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0824836049 ISBN 13: 9780824836047

Publisher: University of Hawaii Press, 2012

This first historical dictionary in English of the Indochina War provides the most comprehensive account to date of one of the most important conflicts of the twentieth century. Over 1,600 entries offer in-depth, expert coverage of the war in all its dimensions.

Christopher Goscha adopts a path-breaking dual international and interdisciplinary approach. Thus readers will not only find information on politics and military campaigns; they will also discover the remarkable impact this war had on intellectual, social, cultural, economic, and artistic domains in France, Indochina, and elsewhere. Indeed, rather than limiting the dictionary to the French and their Vietnamese adversaries, Goscha explores the internationalization of this conflict from its beginning in September 1945 at Ba Dinh square in Hanoi to its end around the Cold War conference table in Geneva in July 1954, also making it clear that a myriad of non-communist Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian nationalists were deeply involved in this war and its outcome.

In addition to its 1,600 entries, the dictionary contains a succinct historical introduction, selected bibliography, maps, illustrations, and tables. A massive work of outstanding scholarly quality and lasting value, this is a reference tool that will be invaluable for researchers, students, and anyone else hoping to understand the complexity of this tragic conflict.

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About the Author:

Christopher Goscha is Associate Professor of International Relations and Southeast Asian History at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal. He has published widely on cultural, social, political and diplomatic aspects of colonial Indochina and the wars for modern Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Review:

“[This] very useful, high-quality publication is a valuable acquisition for all libraries with reference collections in modern Asian history. . . . Highly recommended.” ―Choice(49:11, August 2012)

“This is the first dictionary about Vietnam in any language to mine French and Vietnamese sources in equal measure. It ranges beyond Vietnamese and French participants to provide equally incisive entries on British, Chinese, Lao, Cambodian, American, and Soviet actors in a war that took on important international dimensions. The prodigious amount of research that Goscha has put into this dictionary makes it a milestone in the field, a reference work that will be consulted for decades.” ―David G. Marr, Australian National University

“A magnificent achievement. No one has ever before attempted this kind of comprehensive reference work on the First Indochina War; Christopher Goscha not only attempts it but succeeds marvelously. More than a dictionary, this volume is a major addition to the literature, an essential resource for all students of the struggle, produced by a leading historian working at the top of his powers.” ―Fredrik Logevall, Cornell University

“This is an indispensable resource for students and scholars of an understudied and immensely complex war while also providing a superb model for anyone setting out to write a reference book on historical events.” ―Mark Lawrence, University of Texas at Austin
"This is very useful, high-quality publication is a valuable acquisition for all libraries with reference collections in modern Asian history. Summing Up: Highly recommended." - P. Brush, Vanderbilt University, CHOICE (Vol 49:No 11) (August 2012) "It should be clear from what I've written that anyone interested in the First Indochina War, or the Second for that matter, will need to consult this definitive, beautifully organized chef d'oeuvre ...Anyone writing about this period will probably need to consult it on a daily basis." - David Chandler, Monash University, Pacific Affairs (Vol 86:2) (June 2013)

, http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/p-7560-9780824836047.aspx

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