The best and the brightest

David Halberstam’s masterpiece offers a profound exploration of America’s involvement in Vietnam, featuring a new Foreword by Senator John McCain. Through vivid portraits of flawed policymakers and the forces shaping their decisions, this work addresses the critical question of why the U.S. became entrenched in Vietnam and ultimately faced defeat. As a definitive account, it remains an American classic that has never been surpassed. Critics have praised it as the most comprehensive narrative of America’s Vietnam engagement, likening it to an epic tale of the American empire and the nation’s quest for its idealistic identity. The Boston Globe describes it as akin to an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, while the Los Angeles Times highlights its emotional depth, capturing the overwhelming events of a distant war filled with illusions, myths, and the complexities of human nature. The Washington Post Book World calls it a captivating story of folly and self-deception, portraying the political climate of the era with sharp insight. Newsweek commends its ambitious scope and Halberstam’s exceptional execution, deeming it a necessary read. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch emphasizes its importance, asserting that it is a story every American should engage with.