Gary R. Hess is Distinguished Research Professor of History at Bowling Green State University, where he taught for forty-five years. His publications include The United States at War, 1941–1945 (Wiley, 3rd edition, 2010), Presidential Decisions for War: Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and Iraq (rev. ed., 2009), Vietnam and the United States: Origins and Legacy of War 1941–1945 (1998), and The United States’ Emergence as a Southeast Asian Power (1987).

• Preface viii1 From the Streets to the Books: The Origins of an Enduring Debate 12 A Necessary War or a Mistaken War? 233 "Kennedy Exceptionalism," "Missed Opportunity for Peace," or "Lost Victory?": The Movement toward War, 1961–1965 494 The Revisionist Critique of the "Strategy for Defeat": The Clausewitzian Alternative 845 The Revisionist Critique of the "Other War": The "Hearts-and-Minds" Prescription for Victory 1116 The Media and the War: Irresponsible or Balanced Journalism? 1337 The Tet Offensive: Decisive American Victory or Devastating Loss? 1558 Nixon–Kissinger and the Ending of the War: A "Lost Victory" or "Neither Peace nor Honor?" 1799 Conclusion: The War's "Lessons" 209Bibliography 218Index 221