Ronald B. Frankum Jr. – författare

FLAMING DART. COMMANDO HUNT. ROLLING THUNDER.With dramatic names right out of a Hollywood blockbuster, these strike operations conducted by the United States Air Force were part of an aerial campaign that spanned over a decade, sprawled over four countries, and involved the dropping of countless tons of bombs.In this insightful and lively book, distinguished scholar Ronald B. Frankum, Jr. captures the full extent of the struggle. The first brief overview of the air war in Vietnam, Like Rolling Thunder examines each theatre of operation—South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—and explores the extent to which the aerial campaigns aided U.S. tactics and strategy. Comprehensive yet concise, the work is a fresh look at this conflict's bitterly contested and hard fought air war.

For Southeast Asia, the Vietnam War altered forever the history, topography, people, economy, and politics of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), Cambodia, and Laos. That the war was controversial is an understatement as is the notion that the war can be understood from any one perspective. One way of understanding the Vietnam War is by marking its time with turning points, both major and minor, that involved events or decisions that helped to influence its course in the years to follow. By examining a few of these turning points, an organizational framework takes shape that makes understanding the war more possible.Historical Dictionary of the War in Vietnam emphasizes the international nature of the war, as well as provide a greater understanding of the long scope of the conflict. The major events associated with the war will serve as the foundation of the book while additional entries will explore the military, diplomatic, political, social, and cultural events that made the war unique. While military subjects will be fully explored, there will be greater attention to other aspects of the war. All of this is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Vietnam War.