A BRIGHT SHINING LIE: JOHN PAUL VANN AND AMERICA IN VIETNAM

by Neil Sheehan
A BRIGHT SHINING LIE: JOHN PAUL VANN AND AMERICA IN VIETNAM cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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  • ID: 8119
  • Added: 2025-12-20
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
FiveBooks · 2023-01-01
compelling 4.25

The book is about John Paul Vann, a US Army lieutenant colonel who believed the US could achieve its objectives in Vietnam, despite the challenges.

This review focuses on the central figure of the book, John Paul Vann, and his unwavering belief in the US mission in Vietnam. The reviewer highlights how Sheehan uses Vann's story to explore the complexities and ultimately the futility of the American involvement in the war. They note that the book is not just a biography but a broader examination of the political and military strategies that led to the US's downfall in Vietnam. The reviewer also appreciates the book's ability to humanize the conflict through Vann's experiences, making it a compelling read for those interested in military history and the Vietnam War.

Quick quotes

    A Bright Shining Lie is about John Paul Vann, a US Army lieutenant colonel who clung to the belief that the US could achieve its objectives in Vietnam.

    Sheehan's book is a passionate, epic account that centers on Vann's story to illuminate America's failures and disillusionment in Southeast Asia.

    The book is not just a biography but a broader examination of the political and military strategies that led to the US's downfall in Vietnam.

The Christian Science Monitor · 2009-03-29
comprehensive 4.00

The book is considered a milestone in Vietnam War literature, with Sheehan providing a detailed and nuanced account of the conflict.

This review positions 'A Bright Shining Lie' as a landmark in the literature on the Vietnam War. The reviewer commends Neil Sheehan for his meticulous research and the depth of his narrative, which provides a nuanced understanding of the war. They appreciate how Sheehan balances the personal story of John Paul Vann with the broader historical context, making the book both engaging and informative. The reviewer also notes that while the book is lengthy, its thoroughness is one of its strengths, offering readers a comprehensive look at the complexities of the war.

Quick quotes

    The book will take its place as one of the milestones in the literature about the war.

    In spots, Sheehan is more complimentary about the American effort, but overall, the book is a critical examination of the conflict.

    Sheehan's flawed hero is not only the focal point of the narrative but also a vehicle for exploring the broader themes of the war.

The New York Times · 1999-04-25
insightful 4.50

The book uses the story of Lt Col John Paul Vann to illustrate America's failures and disillusionment in Vietnam. It is a passionate and epic account of the war.

This review highlights how Neil Sheehan uses the life of John Paul Vann to weave a comprehensive narrative about the Vietnam War. Vann, a complex figure of great courage and cunning, serves as a lens through which the broader failures and disillusionment of American involvement in Southeast Asia are examined. The reviewer praises Sheehan's ability to capture the multifaceted nature of the conflict, making it a compelling read. They also note that the book's depth and detail make it a significant contribution to the literature on the Vietnam War, offering insights that are both historical and personal.

Quick quotes

    Through the personality of John Paul Vann, a man of great courage and also of great cunning, Neil Sheehan orchestrates a great fugue evoking all the elements of the Vietnam War.

    Sheehan's book is a passionate, epic account that centers on Vann's story to illuminate America's failures and disillusionment in Southeast Asia.

    The book will take its place as one of the milestones in the literature about the war.

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