pentagon-papers
The Pentagon Papers are identified as a crucial, though incomplete and sometimes censored, official archive on U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
2 chapters across 1 book
A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam (1988)Neil Sheehan
This chapter details the primary sources used by Neil Sheehan in writing 'A Bright Shining Lie,' focusing on John Paul Vann's personal papers, classified documents, and the Pentagon Papers. It explains how these materials were obtained, including declassification processes and contributions from Vann's acquaintances, and highlights the significance of these archives in providing a comprehensive historical account of the Vietnam War. The chapter also notes the limitations and scope of the source notes that follow.
This chapter outlines the key sources and interviews that informed Book II, focusing on the historical antecedents to the Vietnam conflict. It highlights the importance of primary documents such as the Pentagon Papers, personal interviews with military figures, and scholarly works that detail the French return to Vietnam, the rise of the Viet Minh, and early U.S. involvement. The chapter also emphasizes the growth of the Viet Cong insurgency and the complex political and military dynamics leading up to American intervention.