Giap: The Victor in Vietnam

A retired British brigadier, MacDonald was invited to Hanoi in 1990 by the Vietnamese government to interview Vo Nguyen Giap, the legendary general whose ``primitive'' army defeated two great Western powers. The result is the first major biography of this great military leader, as well as a new look at his army and its methods of waging war. MacDonald traces Giap's 30-year leadership of the Vietminh and People's Army, describing how he learned to exercise his talents as organizer, logistician, strategist and tactician against the French in the 1940s and 1950s and against the Americans in the 1960s and 1970s, employing a unique combination of guerrilla and conventional warfare. An important political and military figure, Giap was involved in decision-making at the highest levels of government. As MacDonald points out, Giap can claim the largest share of credit not only for winning two major wars but also for securing the unification and independence of his nation. There is unfamiliar material here about Giap's brilliant victory over the French at Dien-bienphu and his creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the anti-aircraft defenses of Hanoi. MacDonald confidently nominates him for membership in that exclusive club, the Great Captains. Photos. (Jan.)