A Bright Shining Lie
A Bright Shining Lie
Book Brief
896
Book • Nonfiction
Vietnam • 1960s
1988
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam by Neil Sheehan chronicles the life of John Paul Vann, an American military advisor in Vietnam, beginning with his 1972 funeral. The book explores Vann's early idealism and subsequent disillusionment with American strategy through his time fighting alongside South Vietnamese troops and his attempts to reform U.S. military tactics. Topics of abuse, torture, and rape are present.
Informative
Challenging
Dark
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
13,673 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In A Bright Shining Lie, Neil Sheehan delivers a riveting and detailed account of the Vietnam War through the life of John Paul Vann. Praised for its thorough research and compelling narrative, the book is both enlightening and harrowing. Critics note its dense detail may overwhelm some readers, yet its incisive analysis remains indispensable for understanding the complexities of the war.
Who Should Read A Bright Shining Lie?
A reader who enjoys A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan is likely captivated by in-depth historical accounts, military strategy, and the ethical complexities of war. Fans of The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam and Dispatches by Michael Herr will appreciate its meticulous research and gripping narrative.
13,673 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan took over 16 years to complete, as Sheehan conducted extensive research, interviews, and immersive analysis on the Vietnam War and the life of John Paul Vann.
The book received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1989, highlighting its significant impact and exceptional narrative style in war literature.
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Before publishing A Bright Shining Lie, Neil Sheehan was a journalist covering the Vietnam War and won the George Polk Award for a series of articles on the Pentagon Papers.
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896
Book • Nonfiction
Vietnam • 1960s
1988
Adult
18+ years
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