Article Review: The Impossible Victory: Vietnam” by Howard Zinn

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Article Review: The Impossible Victory: Vietnam” by Howard Zinn

Chapter Summary

The chapter, “The Impossible Victory: Vietnam”, by Howard Zinn provides a concise synopsis and vibrant chronicle of the war that took place in Vietnam. Featuring quotes from soldiers, anti-war personnel, government affiliates, and civil rights activities, the Vietnam War is retold objectively. The respective chapter starts with the brief timeline in which the country was liberated from international domination in 1945 and its culmination in 1975 specifically with the eventual collapse of the United States in the conflict. Despite its superiority in warfare and financial resources, America was incapable of defeating the Vietnamese troops that were highly organized against a significant and experienced enemy that sought to impose its force on a deprived, considerably peasant state. Aside from this, the chapter describes the reasons for America’s involvement in the war and its subsequent military endeavors to restrict Vietnam’s unification.

Personal Idea

The chapter indeed captures fine details that tend to be left out in books that attempt to capture Vietnam’s elusive history. In fact, the utilization of first-hand information from primary sources sets the article apart by adding a considerable sense of objectivity. Aside from its effectiveness in capturing the motives for the war and the events that took place in the armed struggle, the chapter also offers a view of the implications that the conflict imposed globally, particularly on American soil. For instance, Zinn illustrates this by referencing a particular section of Dalton Trumbo’s novel, Johnny Got His Gun, which describes the damaging impact that the uncalled war caused on soldiers who took part (Zinn 248). Collectively, with its use of diverse points of reference, “The Impossible Victory: Vietnam”, provides a rich and evocative chronicle of the Vietnam War that appeals logically, ethically, and sentimentally to the reader.

Work Cited

Zinn, Howard. “The Impossible Victory: Vietnam.” The Twentieth Century: A People’s History. New York: Harper Perennial, 2003. 213-254. Print.