For many Westerners, the name Vietnam evokes images of a bloody televised American war that generated a firestorm of protest and brought conflict into their living rooms. In his sweeping account, Ben Kiernan broadens this vision by narrating the rich history of the peoples who have inhabited the land now known as Viet Nam over the past three thousand years. Despite the tragedies of the American-Vietnamese conflict, Viet Nam has always been much more than a war. Its long history had been characterized by the frequent rise and fall of different political formations, from ancient chiefdoms to imperial provinces, from independent kingdoms to divided regions, civil wars, French colonies, and modern republics. In addition to dramatic political transformations, the region has been shaped by its environment, changing climate, and the critical importance of water, with rivers, deltas, and a long coastline facilitating agricultural patterns, trade, and communications. Kiernan weaves together the many narrative strands of Viet Nam's multi-ethnic populations, including the Chams, Khmers, and Vietnamese, and its multi-religious heritage, from local spirit cults to Buddhism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. He emphasizes the peoples' interactions over the millennia with foreigners, particularly their neighbors in China and Southeast Asia, in engagements ranging from military conflict to linguistic and cultural influences. He sets the tumultuous modern period--marked by French and Japanese occupation, anticolonial nationalism, the American-Vietnamese war, and communist victory--against the continuities evident in the deeper history of the people's relationships with the lands where they have lived. In contemporary times, he explores this one-party state's transformation into a global trading nation, the country's tense diplomatic relationship with China and developing partnership with the United States in maintaining Southeast Asia's regional security,and its uncertain prospects for democracy. Written by a leading scholar of Southeast Asia, Viet Nam presents an authoritative history of an ancient land.
Details e-book Viet Nam
🗸 Author(s): Ben Kiernan
🗸 Title: Viet Nam: A History from Earliest Times to the Present
🗸 Rating : 4.7 from 5 stars (106 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Viet Nam by Ben Kiernan
This beautifully illustrated cookbook is a culinary journey around the world, showcasing a diverse array of delicious recipes from every corner of the globe. From exotic street food to traditional home-cooked meals, each dish is a celebration of the rich tapestry of global cuisine. With its mouthwatering photographs and easy-to-follow recipes, this book is a must-have for any aspiring chef.

This captivating novel weaves together history and romance in a sweeping saga of love and loss set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe. As the world is torn apart by conflict, the lives of the protagonists are forever changed by the tumultuous events of the time. With its vivid imagery and poignant storytelling, this book is a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

This poignant memoir offers a deeply personal account of one woman's journey to overcome adversity and find redemption. From childhood trauma to adult struggles, the author shares her experiences with honesty and vulnerability, offering hope and inspiration to readers facing their own challenges. With its raw emotion and powerful storytelling, this book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

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