M.I.a. or Mythmaking in America

H. BRUCE FRANKLIN is the John Cotton Dana Professor of English and American Studies at Rutgers University in Newark and is the author of War Stars: The Superweapon and the American Imagination and many other books.

"A major critical study on one of the central public myths of our time. It uncovers the political sources and historical development of a national cult of grievance, whose persistence distorts our understanding of the Vietnam War and our responses to current issues in foreign affairs.... An important contribution." - Richard Slotkin, Olin Professor of English and American Studies, Wesleyan University "Mr. Franklin's meticulously researched book... casts strong light on the Indochina war's ghostly and ghastly afterlife." - Todd Gitlin (The New York Times Book Review) "Finally, someone has put the Vietnam legacy of alleged MIA survival in its wider political and cultural setting.... A powerful confirmation of the cruelly irresponsible forces that are at work in our country at the highest levels of government.... A gripping account of subversion from above, a book that should be read by all Americans." - Richard Falk, Milbank Professor of International Law "An important and compelling book.... Franklin raises and answers all of the hardest questions about an enduring piece of political mythology." (The Philadelphia Inquirer) "Franklin's startling and meticulously researched account of the inner history of the POW/MIA issue transforms our understanding of how the Vietnam War ended and how it continues. Every historian of the period... will need to read and contemplate its conclusions." - Marilyn B. Young

• Acknowledgments    Preface to the Expanded and Updated Edition    Preface    Prisoners of MythA National Religion?But Are There Live POWs?Prisoners of the WarThe Matrix of the POW/MIA IssueThe "Go Public" CampaignEnter VIVA and the BraceletsFour More Years of War for the POW/MIAsPeace for the POWsCounting on DiscrepanciesThe POWs in War and PeaceThe Missing of PeaceWar RemainsVIVA and the National League of Families Continue the WarThe Pentagon's New MathThe Case of the Disappearing POWsThe Multiplication of the POWsWhat Did Happen to the Missing Men?CambodiaLaosVietnam: Or What the Garwood Case Really Shows"Live Sightings"Why?Reparations and POWsMythmaking in AmericaCrucifixion and ResurrectionHollywood Heroes I: Bo Gritz and Ronald ReaganHollywood Heroes II: Gene Hackman and Chuck NorrisHollywood Heroes III: RamboThe Plots ThickenStill MissingRecoveryA Story of the Missing and the Missing Story"The Last Chapter"?"POW/MIA"Appendix A: From the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam, Signed in Paris, January 27, 1973Appendix B: The Secret Nixon LetterGlossaryNotesIndex