A DOVE IN VIETNAM

by Mike McGrady ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1968

Mike McGrady, Newsday recipient of the Overseas Press Club prize for ""the best daily newspaper interpretation of foreign affairs,"" took up the challenge John Steinbeck flung out to writers to go to Vietnam. He found a great deal to ruffle his feathers. First the American presence, violent, venal. Then Saigon, once the Pearl of the Orient, Paris of the East--""all that remains is a carcass swarming with human maggots."" He viewed a big battle, pacification, defoliation, refugees; saw combined action, turncoats, the war at sea (was offered the opportunity to get his first KIA in isolated comfort). In the Delta he found hope: a different war waged with humanity and resourcefulness by one Major Priddy, who cared, really cared about the South Vietnamese. He points out the almost insane cost of the war (we could give every man, woman and child in Vietnam $2000), projects what it would belike for US to be Vietnam (America invaded by the Transparents of Outer Space). An appendix accumulates opinions on ways out, from escalation to withdrawal and points between (a TV man's solution: ""Put the war on ABC--it will be cancelled in thirteen weeks""). This brings the war home from a consolidated viewpoint. More likely to confirm than influence opinion.

Pub Date: June 1, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Funk & Wagnalls

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION