A Bright Shining Lie cover art

A Bright Shining Lie

John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

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A Bright Shining Lie

By: Neil Sheehan
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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About this listen

One of the most acclaimed books of our time - the definitive Vietnam War exposé and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

When he came to Vietnam in 1962, Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Vann was the one clear-sighted participant in an enterprise riddled with arrogance and self-deception, a charismatic soldier who put his life and career on the line in an attempt to convince his superiors that the war should be fought another way. By the time he died in 1972, Vann had embraced the follies he once decried. He died believing that the war had been won.

In this magisterial book, a monument of history and biography that was awarded the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, a renowned journalist tells the story of John Vann - "the one irreplaceable American in Vietnam" - and of the tragedy that destroyed a country and squandered so much of America's young manhood and resources.

©1989 Neil Sheehan (P)2009 Random House Americas Military Military & War Politics & Government United States Vietnam War War Thought-Provoking Imperialism Air Force Self-Determination

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Critic reviews

"If there is one book that captures the Vietnam war in the sheer Homeric scale of its passion and folly, this is it." ( The New York Times Book Review)
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Astonishing, detailed, complex, morally neutral, focussed, enigmatic , charismatic and tragic

This book and it’s subject

.

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What did you like most about A Bright Shining Lie?

As well as the story of John Vann's life this book gives a brilliant and easily listened to history of the lead up (with French occupation) and eventual American involvement in the Vietnam War. What a waste of life on both sides and very different to the Hollywood version of events!

Any additional comments?

I read this book 10 years ago and listening to it recently gave further insights into the story.

Superb, start to finish

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What did you like most about A Bright Shining Lie?

I was looking for a decent primer on the war ahead of a trip to Vietnam and was willing to endure a bit of bio about a guy I had never heard of, but I was blown away by Neil Sheehan's admiration of the man.

By the end, I understood why it was subtitled John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam.

I had also never heard of Neil Sheehan, and was pleasantly surprised to discover he was the journalist who obtained the Pentagon Papers, and that Daniel Ellsberg (who I had heard of) has a key supporting role in the book.

Sheehan's decision to focus the war through the lens of fairly obscure (today, at least) player, rather than say a president or top general, gives a real down-in-the-dirt perspective.

One of the best and most rewarding audiobooks I've bought. I may give it another spin before I head to Vietnam.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bright Shining Lie?

I loved the rather peripheral retelling of the Double Seven Day scuffle, a punch up between journalists covering a Buddhist protest in Siagon in 1963 and ostensibly friendly South Vietnamese police, particularly the intervention of the apparently terrifying but highly principled New York Times reporter David Halberstam.

A FORGOTTEN GEM

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What made the experience of listening to A Bright Shining Lie the most enjoyable?

How the military and political establishments deluded themselves as to how the war was being fought and the implications of their delusion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bright Shining Lie?

No specific moment, the whole peice is well done and equally enjoyable.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Mostly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too long for one sitting.

Thought provoking

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Brilliant - provides insights into so much more than the Vietnam war; the history of 'indo-China', America and the history of the southern states and the macho culture of 'the most powerful nation on earth'. Truly enlightening. Gives the reader so much more than the life - provides the contexts in which it took place.

Exceptional biography

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A real eye opener to the incompetence of the American military machine, its leaders, men and President. The lies told to justify the war, the collusion of the media in the lie and peoples blind acceptance of the lie. The war crimes committed by Americans and the use of chemical weapons on civilians.. A disgrace from start to the humiliation for America at the end. A must read to understand Americas military mind set, even now.

Not Americas Finest Hour

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I do not have the eloquence to describe the emotions generated by this superb book. Gripping from start to finish. The folly and the stupidity of intelligent men is laid bare for all to read....and to repeat, no doubt.
Exceptional narration, too.

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amazing to hear how the same mistake s are repeated in every conflict. very compelling

fascinating incite

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What made the experience of listening to A Bright Shining Lie the most enjoyable?

Learning about the history behind the Vietnam war was eye opening a really good audible book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bright Shining Lie?

Learning how corrupt the South Vietnamese government was, and how they led their own country into revolution.

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

Pace, style, a very good and easy to listen to voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Couldn't as it is so long, but very good.

Any additional comments?

purchase the book!

Educational

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A superb introduction to the folly of America's involvement in Vietnam .
The book veaved a brief history of Vietnam over recent centuries, with an overview of US involvement with a biography of Vann. The 3 strands each hid their own lies and that combined to give the 'Bright Shining Lie' of the title.
Complementing the text is Robertson Dean's superb narration.

A brilliant book beautifully read

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