Choosing War: The Lost Chance for Peace and the Escalation of War in Vietnam

Choosing War examines the crucial period between August 1963 and February 1965, when U.S. leaders made decisions that expanded American involvement in Vietnam. Through analysis of documents and communications from multiple nations, Fredrik Logevall reconstructs the pivotal discussions and turning points that led to deeper military engagement. The book focuses on President Johnson's administration and key figures who influenced Vietnam policy during this timeframe. Logevall explores the international context, including perspectives from France, Great Britain, Canada, and other nations that urged restraint in Southeast Asia. This study challenges assumptions about the inevitability of American escalation in Vietnam. By examining both domestic politics and international diplomacy, Logevall demonstrates the complex interplay of factors that shaped U.S. decision-making at this critical juncture. The central question of why leaders choose war over peace, despite available alternatives, resonates beyond the specific case of Vietnam. Through this focused historical analysis, the book provides insights into how nations move toward conflict and the role of individual decision-makers in that process.

Readers highlight Logevall's detailed research and use of primary sources to examine the decisions leading to US escalation in Vietnam during 1963-65. Many note the book provides clear evidence that Johnson and his advisers chose war despite having other options. Readers appreciated: - Documentation of internal dissent within the administration - Analysis of international perspectives, especially from France - Clear writing style that makes complex policy decisions accessible Common criticisms: - Heavy focus on high-level decision making rather than ground-level events - Limited coverage of Vietnamese viewpoints - Some repetition in later chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (28 ratings) Representative review: "Logevall marshals impressive evidence that the war was not inevitable and key officials knew the risks but pressed ahead anyway. A sobering look at how policy choices get made." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Logevall reveals that during the "Long 1964" period (late 1963 to early 1965), multiple nations, including Canada, France, and India, attempted to broker peace negotiations between North and South Vietnam, but these initiatives were repeatedly rejected by the Johnson administration. 🔹 The author was awarded the prestigious Arthur Ross Book Award from the Council on Foreign Relations for this work, which challenged the conventional wisdom that the Vietnam War's escalation was inevitable. 🔹 The book draws extensively from previously untapped French archival sources and interviews, showing that French President Charles de Gaulle actively warned the U.S. about the dangers of military intervention in Vietnam. 🔹 Despite public statements supporting the war, many of Johnson's closest advisers, including Undersecretary of State George Ball, privately expressed serious doubts about military escalation in Vietnam during the period covered in the book. 🔹 Fredrik Logevall wrote this groundbreaking study while teaching at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later became the Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.