This revised and updated guide to the Vietnam War charts the unforgettable story of America's longest and most controversial conflict, 50 years on from its end.  Hundreds of insightful images and a compelling narrative combine to chronicle this catastrophic war. From 1955, the communist government of North Vietnam fought against South Vietnam and its main ally, the US. Over the course of two decades of hostility, the number of casualties reached an incomprehensible three million people.  Detailed descriptions of every episode, including Operation Passage to Freedom and the evacuation of the American embassy in Saigon, tell the stories in iconic photographs and eyewitness accounts. Discover the real people behind the conflict, with gripping biographies of key figures, including Henry Kissinger, General Thieu, President Nixon, and Pol Pot. This incredible visual record is supported by locator maps, user-friendly timelines, archive photography, and evocative quotes, giving readers an all-encompassing experience.  The Vietnam War is an essential historic reference to help humanity learn the lessons of suffering and sacrifice from one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.