In A Time for War, Schulzinger paints a vast yet intricate canvas of more than three decades of conflict in Vietnam, spanning the first rumblings of rebellion against the French colonialists to the American intervention and eventual withdrawal. Drawing on massive research, he offers a vivid and insightful portrait of the changes in Vietnamese politics and society, from the rise of Ho Chi Minh to the infighting and corruption that plagued Saigon. He reveals precisely how outside powers -- first the French, then the Americans -- committed themselves to war in Indochina, even against their own better judgment, and offers sharp criticism of the American military effort. Finally, Schulzinger paints a brilliant political and social portrait of the times, illuminating the impact of the war on the lives of ordinary Americans and Vietnamese. A Time for War will stand as the landmark history of America's longest war.