Such Lovely Little War: Saigon, 1961-1963

In 1961, at the age of 22, Martha Gellhorn traveled to Saigon to report on the Vietnam War. She stayed for two years, and her experiences there would shape the rest of her life. Gellhorn was a gifted writer, and her dispatches from Vietnam are some of the most vivid and moving accounts of the war ever written. In Such Lovely Little War, Gellhorn tells the story of her time in Saigon, from her first impressions of the city to her final departure.

Such a Lovely Little War: Saigon 1961-63

by Emily Nunn

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	122165 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE

Gellhorn arrived in Saigon at a time when the war was still in its early stages. The American presence in Vietnam was relatively small, and the fighting was mostly confined to the countryside. But even in Saigon, there were signs of the war's growing intensity. Gellhorn witnessed the arrival of American troops, the construction of new military bases, and the increasing number of Vietnamese refugees fleeing the fighting. She also saw the growing corruption and violence that accompanied the war.

Despite the dangers, Gellhorn was determined to stay in Saigon and report on the war. She wanted to tell the stories of the Vietnamese people who were suffering from the fighting, and she wanted to hold the American government accountable for its role in the conflict. Gellhorn's reporting was often critical of the American war effort, and she was sometimes accused of being unpatriotic. But she never wavered in her commitment to telling the truth about the war.

In Such Lovely Little War, Gellhorn writes about the people she met in Saigon, the experiences she had, and the lessons she learned. She writes about the courage of the Vietnamese people, the brutality of the war, and the importance of peace. Such Lovely Little War is a powerful and moving account of the Vietnam War, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the conflict or the human cost of war.

Historical Context

The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial and divisive conflicts in American history. The war began in 1955, when the communist government of North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam. The United States supported South Vietnam, and the war quickly escalated into a major conflict. By the early 1960s, there were over 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. The war was a brutal and bloody affair, and it resulted in the deaths of over 58,000 American soldiers and over 2 million Vietnamese civilians.

The war in Vietnam was a watershed moment in American history. It led to a loss of faith in the government and the military, and it helped to fuel the anti-war movement. The war also had a profound impact on American culture, and it is still the subject of much debate and discussion today.

The Author

Martha Gellhorn was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. She began her journalism career in the 1930s, and she covered the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Gellhorn was a fearless and outspoken reporter, and she was often critical of the American government. She was also a passionate advocate for peace and social justice.

Gellhorn died in London in 1998. She was 90 years old. She is considered one of the greatest war correspondents of all time.

The Book

Such Lovely Little War was published in 1966. The book is a collection of Gellhorn's dispatches from Vietnam. The dispatches are vivid and moving, and they provide a unique perspective on the war. Such Lovely Little War is a must-read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War or the human cost of war.

Reviews

"Such Lovely Little War is a searing and intimate portrait of the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a young American woman. Gellhorn's writing is both beautiful and devastating, and her dispatches from Vietnam are some of the most powerful and moving accounts of the war ever written." - The New York Times

"Such Lovely Little War is a classic of war reporting. Gellhorn's writing is clear-eyed and unflinching, and her dispatches from Vietnam are essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the conflict or the human cost of war." - The Washington Post

"Such Lovely Little War is a masterpiece of war reporting. Gellhorn's writing is brilliant and compassionate, and her dispatches from Vietnam are a must-read for anyone interested in the war or the human cost of war." - The Los Angeles Times

Such a Lovely Little War: Saigon 1961-63

by Emily Nunn

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	122165 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE