1 Acknowledgements 2 Author's Note 3 Preface 4 Chapter 1: Background to a Needless War 5 Chapter 2: Morgenthau and Bundy: The Harvard Dean Fails the Vietnam Reality Test 6 Chapter 3: Media Neglect of the National Interest 7 Chapter 4: Morgenthau and Schlesinger and the National Interest 8 Chapter 5: Morgenthau and the Council on Foreign Relations 9 Chapter 6: Morgenthau's Influence, Fulbright's Conversion and the Stupidity of Smart Men 10 Chapter 7: "What I have said recently, I have been saying for years without anybody paying attention." 11 Epilogue 12 Bibliography 13 Index
Louis B. Zimmer is professor emeritus of history at Montclair State University.
Hans Morgenthau was my teacher, mentor and friend. He recommended
me for my law professorship. It was my great honor and distinct
pleasure to have studied with Morgenthau while he was heroically
leading the forces of opposition to the genocidal Vietnam War at
great personal cost to himself and his family. Morgenthau’s stellar
example of brilliance in the service of courage, integrity and
principles has inspired and motivated me now for over four decades.
After reading Zimmer’s compelling book, Morgenthau will do the same
for you. Zimmer vividly brings back to life Morgenthau, his epic
battle against the Vietnam War, and those tumultuous and tragic
events that shaped my generation and determined the destinies of
two nations only now beginning to reconcile—a volte-face
preternaturally predicted by Morgenthau during the darkest days of
the wars. This book is required reading for all those seeking to
pursue peace with justice in today’s increasingly troubled and
endangered world. Humanity desperately needs more like Morgenthau
in order to survive. Zimmer explains why. A real tour de force of
engaged historical research and scholarship.
*Francis A. Boyle, University of Illinois*
Dr. Zimmer provides an exhaustively researched account of Hans J.
Morgenthau's campaign against the United States's involvement in
the Vietnam War. Zimmer reminds us about the central role that
Margenthau played in formulating an authoritative and intellectual
framework for opposing the war.
*David E. Settje, Concordia University Chicago*
Louis B. Zimmer has written a compelling study of Hans J.
Morgenthau, international foreign policy expert and principal
critic of the American war in Vietnam. Through extensive research,
Zimmer’s book provides a thorough account of Morgenthau’s arguments
and demonstrates clearly how history has proven him to be right.
Endorsing Morgenthau, Zimmer makes a strong argument against
ideological bases for foreign policy decisions and the strength of
his book lies in his voluminous research that draws both an
explicit and implicit parallel to contemporary foreign policy
decisions.
*Pamela A. Pears, Washington College*
This is an intriguing peek into the public debate before and after
the final commitment of ground troops in Vietnam in 1965, seen
through the eyes and opinions of Hans Morgenthau, a widely
respected foreign policy expert and academic. It is a good start in
analyzing the language of intervention. Morgenthau forthrightly
warned that Vietnam was a hopeless venture and urged restraint.
Contrasting his transparent approach was the often hazy language of
careerists and political advisors seeking fame and the pleasing of
their bosses. Zimmer (emer., Montclair State Univ.) is particularly
harsh on McGeorge Bundy and Robert McNamara, seeing them as
dishonest, both in and out of government....Zimmer does carefully
examine the often dishonest and contradictory nature of the
so-called liberal organs, such as The New York Times. An
interesting work on all levels. Summing Up: Highly recommended.
Upper-division undergraduates and above.
*CHOICE*
The sheer breadth of primary-source-material research that Zimmer
undertook for this book is impressive. Immersion in the archive
allows him to gain insight into the mentalities of both the
architects of the conflict and, at least for Zimmer, their most
significant critic. Zimmer’s documentary approach reveals both the
depths of the American foreign policy elite’s ideologically driven
crusade against monolithic Communism and the extent of their rage
against Morgenthau’s opposition to their politics in
Vietnam….Zimmer’s book is very valuable in that it examines the
debates and issues of the 1960s through the prism of the career of
one of America’s foremost public intellectuals…. Zimmer provides an
excellent insight into the importance of knowing Morgenthau to a
new generation of IR students who can benefit from his insights in
an age also characterized by long-standing wars and serious
crises.
*The Review of Politics*
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
