Mark Moyar Livres

The book presents a compelling analysis by a leading military historian, utilizing new evidence to argue that U.S. government officials were justified in their concerns that the collapse of South Vietnam would threaten American security interests. It delves into the intricate relationship between military strategy and diplomatic decisions during a pivotal moment in history, highlighting the complexities of American involvement in Vietnam.

This study explodes prevailing myths about the Phoenix Program, the CIA's top-secret effort to destroy the Viet Cong by neutralizing its “civilian” leaders. Drawing on recently declassified documents and interviews with American, South Vietnamese, and North Vietnamese sources, Mark Moyar examines the attempts to eradicate the Viet Cong infrastructure and analyzes their effectiveness. He addresses misconceptions about these efforts and provides an accurate, complete picture of the allies’ decapitation of the Viet Cong shadow government. Combining social and political history with a study of military operations, Moyar offers a fresh interpretation of the crucial role the shadow government played in the Viet Cong's ascent. Detailed accounts of intelligence operations provide an insider’s view of their development and reveal what really happened in the safe havens of the Viet Cong. Filled with new information, Moyar’s study sets the record straight about one of the last secrets of the Vietnam War and offers poignant lessons for dealing with future Third World insurgencies. This Bison Books edition includes a new preface and chapter by the author.

Shifting the focus of foreign aid from poverty alleviation to leadership cultivation and cultural transformation can significantly enhance its effectiveness. The book argues for a strategic change in approach, emphasizing the importance of developing strong leaders and fostering cultural shifts to create lasting impact in communities. This perspective challenges traditional methods and proposes innovative solutions for improving the outcomes of foreign aid initiatives.

An acclaimed military historian charts the rocky history of the America's Special Operations Forces, highlighting both the heroism of America's finest soldiers and the strategic limits of special operations.