"Takes an historically important decision, places it in its immediate stream of policy development, perceptions and events and adds what was missing from the Pentagon Papers."—Richard E. Neustadt, Harvard University

"A thoroughly researched and highly perceptive study of the decisions that turned the tribal struggle in Vietnam into an American war. Berman's book fully documents the role of domestic policy in our tragic involvement. As one who watched the process at firsthand. I commend Professor Berman's book for its fairness and insight."— George W. Ball