50 Things You Should Know About the Vietnam War

Gr 4–8—In colorful spreads, McNab provides basic content on 50 different aspects of the Vietnam War. Key events are covered in chronological order, with other topics interspersed. It begins with "1946–1963: A Region in Turmoil" and ends with "Legacy." Other chapters cover battles, U.S. troop buildup, the antiwar movement in the United States, weapons like Agent Orange, and more. Nothing is covered in depth, but the work is inclusive and does reference the prisoner of war experience and My Lai. A time line is featured throughout on the bottom of several pages, and a "Who's Who" list of important figures is included in the back. While the pages are brightly colored and there are numerous photographs, the book is strictly informative and the prose is unadorned. Those seeking a more compelling read will be much better served by Philip Caputo's 10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War.