On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War by Harry G. Summers (Hardcover)

Description

“On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War” is a book by Harry G Summers Jr. that provides an in-depth examination of the strategic failures that led to the United States’ defeat in the Vietnam War. The book was first published in 1982 and has since become a classic work of military analysis.

Summers argues that the United States failed to adopt an effective strategy for winning the war in Vietnam. He identifies several key mistakes made by American policymakers, including the failure to understand the nature of the conflict, the over-reliance on military force, and the lack of a clear and achievable political objective.

One of the central arguments of the book is that the United States failed to understand the nature of the conflict in Vietnam. Summers argues that the conflict was primarily a political struggle for the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people, and that the United States’ focus on military force was ultimately counterproductive.

Another key theme of the book is the importance of clear and achievable political objectives in military conflict. Summers argues that the United States’ failure to articulate a clear political objective in Vietnam made it difficult to achieve a decisive victory, and contributed to the ultimate failure of American strategy.

Overall, “On Strategy” is a compelling and insightful analysis of the strategic failures that led to the United States’ defeat in Vietnam. Summers’ writing is clear and accessible, and the book remains an important resource for anyone interested in the history of American military strategy.