The Last Valley

By Martin Windrow,

Book cover of The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam

Book description

In December 1953 French paratroopers, who had been searching for the elusive Vietnamese army, were quickly isolated by them and forced to retreat into their out-gunned and desolate jungle base-a small place called Dien Bien Phu. The Vietnamese besieged the French base for five long and desperate months. Eventually, the…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Last Valley as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Despite the United States doing its post-war best to accelerate the disintegration of British, French, and Dutch empires, the nation funded some 75% of the cost of the French fight against communist Viet Minh forces.

Martin Windrow, an accomplished editor, has here produced a masterpiece and certainly the definitive account of the battle for Dien Bien Phu and the political and military context. Such is the power of the book that I was compelled to visit the battle site in 2006 and marvel that any military commander would consider building a base in a bowl.

There are many lessons to…

From Vic's list on modern military aviation.

Want books like The Last Valley?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Last Valley.

Browse books like The Last Valley

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and South Vietnam?

Vietnam 165 books
The Vietnam War 241 books
South Vietnam 17 books