Ken Burns’ epic historical documentary The Vietnam War begins Sunday, September 17 on WITF-TV and PBS. Coupled with The Vietnam War WITF Stories and other events, you’ll be hearing about Vietnam often over the next few weeks.
In the meantime, best-selling author Mark Bowden’s latest book is destined to be a classic. It’s called Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam and is the definitive account of the most climatic and intense battle of the Tet offensive.
Much like Bowden’s other classic Black Hawk Down, Hue 1968 is meticulous in its description of the weeks-long battle in the city. U.S. Marines fought block-by-block and house-by-house against thousands of North Vietnamese Communists and Viet Cong guerillas. Military commanders and President Lyndon Johnson were taken by surprise by the coordinated Tet offensive attacks throughout South Vietnam and refused to believe the strength and ferocity of the enemy in Hue.
Bowden appears on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to tell the story.
Smart Talk Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Listen to Smart Talk – Segment 1
Listen to Smart Talk – Segment 2