Douglas Pike

1966 Softcover. Creases in worn cover. Some corner and edgewear. Stains on outer edges. No markings are highlights, otherwise nice clean copy.

From the original 34-man Armed Propaganda Team of the 1930s, headed by Vo Nguyen Giap and managed by Ho Chi Minh, the People's Army of Vietnam has grown into the third largest military force in the world, exceeded only by the armies of the USSR and China. When viewed in terms of military capability and success, it is a phenomenon. Since its inception, the PAVN has taken on two major powers - France and the United States - and won decisive victories. It is this phenomenon that Douglas Pike describes in this work. At the same time, there also appears a picture of the use of force in politics, the nature of organizations and the limits of both technology and ideology. The book is aimed at those interested in the inner workings of the army that won the Vietnam War.

Since 1966 the Australian Dictionary of Biography has provided Australians with concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women of this country who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation.

Examining the long and turbulent relationship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union, Douglas Pike traces its political, economic, and diplomatic history from the Bolshevik Revolution to today's deep and intricate alliance. He not only explores this extraordinary relationship but also outlines its great geopolitical significance for the entire region

The 1998 second edition of this valuable study of the growth of the Australian nation. Professor Pike's main theme is the sober hard-won progress of isolated colonies struggling to increase their population and pay their way. He tells of uneven advance, of success and failure, of windfall wealth. Most of all he tells of efforts of men to make themselves secure in a land starved of capital and private investment. This edition includes developments since 1958. Pike surveys important political events in South East Asia since the mid-1950s, in particular, Australia's involvement in the defence of Malaysia and in Vietnam. The invasion of Australia's open spaces by men and machines in search of minerals was perhaps the most exciting development of the 1960s. The success of these excavations and of the remarkable urban and industrial growth and expansion of Australian agricultural production in the 1970s and 1980s are also explored.

"Pike, whose earlier study "(Viet Cong: the Organization and Techniques of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, MIT-81)" was justly acclaimed as the best single monograph on the murky politics of Viet-Nam, now offers his prognosis concerning its postwar politics. The book offers a careful analysis of the 'contenders and objectives' with equal emphasis on the often clashing postwar aims of the various internal and external forces that are likely to influence the eventual settlement."--"Choice"As background, Pike surveys the sweep of events from early times to the present and establishes the milieu of the life of the people in its social-psychological and its historical-political aspects. From this basis of understanding, he traces for the reader alternative possible outcomes of the struggle and evaluates their likelihood. These include the total victory or defeat of each side, or political settlement by means of formal or de facto accommodation. This careful examination or variables and contingencies is much more meaningful than flat prediction because in so complex and delicate a situation a small variation can produce widespread and unexpected results that are likely to be overlooked in a simple extrapolation of present trends.

Flawless new copy, unmarked, unread text with solid binding, signed by the author.

Since 1962 the Australian Dictionary of Biography has been prepared by its staff in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. It provides concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women of this country who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation.Each entry is prepared by a leading scholar. The subjects come from all walks of life-from premiers, generals and bishops, through artists, actors and authors, farmers, engineers and schoolteachers, to prostitutes, thieves and murderers -providing a cross-section of Australian society.This magnificent cumulative work continues to be a valuable and popular reference tool for all libraries, large and small.

Hardcover in good condition, with good jacket. Review copy. Jacket is marked and worn. Jacket leading corners, edges and spine ends are bumped and nicked. Hardcover leading corners, lower edges and spine ends are lightly bumped and worn. Rear lower leading corner is nicked. Page block is lightly marked and tanned. Upper leading corners of pages are creased. Pages are clean and text is clear throughout. HCW

Since 1962 the Australian Dictionary of Biography has been prepared by its staff in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. It provides concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women of this country who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation.Each entry is prepared by a leading scholar. The subjects come from all walks of life—from premiers, generals and bishops, through artists, actors and authors, farmers, engineers and schoolteachers, to prostitutes, thieves and murderers—providing a cross-section of Australian society.This magnificent cumulative work continues to be a valuable and popular reference tool for all libraries, large and small.

Since 1962 the Australian Dictionary of Biography has been prepared by its staff in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. It provides concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women of this country who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation.Each entry is prepared by a leading scholar. The subjects come from all walks of life—from premiers, generals and bishops, through artists, actors and authors, farmers, engineers and schoolteachers, to prostitutes, thieves and murderers—providing a cross-section of Australian society.This magnificent cumulative work continues to be a valuable and popular reference tool for all libraries, large and small.

Since 1962 the Australian Dictionary of Biography has been prepared by its staff in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. It provides concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women of this country who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation.Each entry is prepared by a leading scholar. The subjects come from all walks of lifemdash;from premiers, generals and bishops, through artists, actors and authors, farmers, engineers and schoolteachers, to prostitutes, thieves and murderers—providing a cross-section of Australian society.This magnificent cumulative work continues to be a valuable and popular reference tool for all libraries, large and small.