The Viet Nam War divided citizens in both the United States and Viet Nam. Profound cultural differences between the nations contributed to the horror of the war. These differences remain today. Helping to demystify the war and educate both students and general readers, this clear historical overview ranges from the events that preceded the war to its end in 1975. The book features a discussion of the Vietnamese and American ways of life in the Viet Nam era, along with a wide assortment of primary documents from a diverse selection of U.S. and Vietnamese soldiers and civilians. These compelling excerpts are mostly from everyday soldiers' letters to home and from interviews conducted by the author. Presented chronologically and thematically, the documents move from early motivations and war experiences to the war's end and enduring legacy, fleshing out the meaning of the conflict for Americans and Vietnamese alike. This volume is unique in including many new personal accounts from ordinary Vietnamese, fighting against and for the U.S. cause. A balanced view of the war and its aftermath presents the suffering of all involved. Numerous photos, a glossary, and a timeline enhance the text.