The Eleven Days of Christmas: America s Last Vietnam Battle - Softcover

Michel, Marshall L Lii

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1893554279 ISBN 13: 9781893554276

Publisher: Encounter Books, 2001

Synopsis

Moving from the White House to the B-52 cockpits to the missile sites and POW camps of Hanoi, The Eleven Days of Christmas is a gripping tale of heroism and incompetence in a battle whose political and military legacy is still a matter of controversy.

About this title

About the Author

Marshall L. Michel III flew 321 combat missions in F-4s and RF-4s from 1970-1973 and is the author of "Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam, 1965-1972."

From Library Journal

The American B-52 bombing campaign (popularly known as the "Chrismas Bombing") of 1972 remains one of the most debated topics of this highly controversial conflict. Begun by Richard Nixon over the protest of the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command, the bombing was opposed by a large majority of Congress and by the antiwar movement. Despite unforseen losses, the B-52 bombing was instrumental in forcing the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table. While emotional and ill-informed opinions from both Left and Right dominate discussions of American air strategy in Vietnam, Michel (a retired F-4 pilot and author of Clashes: Air Combat Over North Vietnam, 1965-72) offers a cogent and superbly researched scholarly examination that is remarkably free of bias. Drawing from both Vietnamese and American primary and secondary sources, Michel has also utilized a substantial number of dramatic first-person accounts of participants from both sides. His day-by-day analysis of the strategy and tactics of the U.S. bomber squadrons and their North Vietnamese opponents will capture and hold the attention of readers. The author's critique of U.S. Air Force leadership is certain to attract the notice of scholars. A first-rate contribution; essential for academic collections. John R. Vallely, Siena Coll. Lib., Loudonville, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Encounter Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1893554279
• ISBN 13: 9781893554276
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 325