The Vietnam War explains "the first war America ever lost." The book begins with the War's origins after World War II and discusses the Cold War context of the 1950s. It moves on to the War's escalation in the 1960s and details the drawdown and defeat in the 1970s. Included is an extensive discussion of why the U.S. lost the War. Finally, the text discusses the consequences to America's psyche in the War's aftermath. The Best One-Hour History series is for those who want a quick but coherent overview of major historical events. It will also serve those who need a competent high-level introduction before going further. Each volume provides a clear and concise account of the episode under discussion. In about an hour, the reader will obtain a well-grounded understanding of why each subject holds iconic status in Western Civilization.