Escape from Saigon: A Novel

Little know part of the story, America did not want to even think about the aftermath of the longest war. The South Vietmanese government was so corrupt and corruption was so wide spread that the South was doomed anyway, but the way the war was managed at the top by the US was insane. There should have been public hangings for treason of LBJ, McNamara, and Westmorland, at least for sending too many of our youth to be slautered with no plan to win the war. The MSM also was complicit in reporting how the war was mismanaged by the administration. Walter’s “the War is Lost” right after the largest win during Tet where the north had virtually lost their ability to wage war didn’t help either.This book isn’t so much about the people of the south as it is about a few personal experances about journalist the stayed after the US pulled out.

I lived through this period in history - but I was busy with my first job out of college, getting married and turning a summer cottage into our first house. Everything else just sort of blew by me. Only a draft classification of 1Y kept me from being a participant. (I tried to enlist but the USAF wouldn’t have me.)Anyway - this story attaches “real” characters to a story to accurately portray an agonizing period of our history and the nation’s most “unpopular” war.If you - like me - didn’t pay attention in the sixties, this book is an excellent way to make up for that.

In the late 1960's when my husband was in the army and was called to serve in Viet Nam it was a frightening place. A different kind of war was being fought including all the uncertainties that war brings. Therefore it was with great interest that I read Escape from Saigon and experienced an inside view of the people, the press, and the politic that existed during those final days. Although a novel, Escaped from Saigon appears to be well documented and the situations authentic. It is a reminder that war is ultimately always about the people, on all sides and in all situations. It was a compelling read. Well done! I am Pat's husband, and was in VN in '68-'69 in the Army. This was indeed a frightening place, and quite frankly, I did not ever really have a clear idea about how it all ended. Reading this book was an entertaining way to put those war ending pieces together. It is well written both from the perspective of being a novel and from the prospective of providing the history of our exit. Glad I read it.

Escape from Saigon is a gripping chronicle of the tumultuous last days of the Vietnam war -- as experienced by the journalists, warriors, civilians, and diplomats trapped in the reality of Saigon's fall. Written by two Vietnam veterans for whom the war still rages, authors Michael Morris and Dick Pirozzolo bring this sad ending of US involvement back into the spotlight, and remind us of the lasting human consequences of that war -- of all wars - that hunt and haunt us all on this Earth. They portray the chaos, confusion, courage, and yes -- cowardice of our final withdrawal -- as a reminder to those of us who lived through it, and as a telling lesson for those too young to remember -- that we all bear the responsibility, and share the calling to create better outcomes than what we witnessed and imposed on Vietnam and its people. This poignant novel draws you in from the start -- and doesn't let go until the last chopper clears the coastline --

Pretty good. Not as good as I anticipated. The author couldn't seem to figure out if he was writing a history of a novel . Both fell fairly flat. It brought back memories of all the television scenes of the time. My memories are clearer than the book.

Mike Morris and Dick Pirozzolo have written a fictional account of the final days of the United States' abandonment of Southeast Asia; it is both historically accurate and painful to read. The characters span a broad range from the US ambassador to South Vietnamese traitors to members of the American media in visceral detail that is believable and disconcerting at the same time. It is embarrassing to me to be reminded how we failed our allies when we lost interest in the war that claimed so many lives. To add insult to injury, Escape from Saigon describes how the evacuation planning and execution was complicated by conflicting political and military priorities.

An amazing piece of writing centered in Saigon. There is a limited cast of main characters, each with his/her story for staying in Saigon as the time to escape got shorter and shorter and stopped.

Vietnam needs to be remembered and studied more with a keen eye on where it fits in the past and how it aligns with the future. This exciting well written account is a great start.

Having travelled to Vietnam in 2010, I would relate to many of the places in this book. I fell in love with the book and could not put it down or wait for my next opportunity to continue the story. Having read historical books about the War, watched TV shows and documentaries, and of course movies, this novel brought the story to life. Well written and enjoyable. Loved it.

I remember this war from the UK news when quite young and this brought alive the civilian side including journalism.

Well written and researched. Couldn't put it down.

Fascinating story of the last days of the American War in Viet Nam. Although this is a fictional account, it does relate what people were feeling during those last fateful days.

Did not get into this book at all, was dragged out to long . Did eve finish the boo.