"More than two decades after it was first published, Vietnam: A Portrait of Its People at War stands out as one of the most penetrating and valuable studies of the conflict that consumed the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. David Chanoff and Doan Van Toai capture the extraordinary variety of Vietnamese motives and experiences by letting Vietnamese soldiers, officials, and peasants speak for themselves. The overall effect is to bring the "other side" to life with unrivalled richness and complexity. This book remains essential reading for anyone hoping to understand the Vietnam War.' Mark Lawrence, Associate Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin"