The Vietnam War triggered a profound transformation in American political consciousness. It shattered confidence in American moral superiority and American military omnipotence. How did this disaster befall a nation that had recently emerged from a great world war, not only victorious but the undisputed moral leader of the world?

"The American Experience in Vietnam "provides in-depth analyses that clarify the historical phenomena of the Vietnam era from various perspectives. The articles and excerpts in this collection were selected to give readers a real sense of how it felt to live...