Hello,
"Mad Men" is in 1968 currently. One of 1968's most decisive and explosive issues was the Vietnam War. And 1968 was a momentous year in the Vietnam War. It was the year of the Tet Offensive, LBJ being drug down by the war, the end of Operation Rolling Thunder, Tricky Dick becoming President and many other things.
This isn't meant to be a political blog in any way. Clearly now looking back the Vietnam War was a complete disaster and America never should have gone there. However I also know that hindsight is 20/20.
Even Robert McNamara, in his "In Retrospect", admitted that the Vietnam War was completely mishandled.
There have been a lot of great books about Vietnam. My favorite book about the Vietnam War is Neil Sheehan's "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam". This is an amazing book about one of the ugliest chapters in American history. If you only read one book about Vietnam, this should be the book. The movie based on this book isn't quite as good.
Another great book is Stanley Karnow's "Vietnam: A History", I also highly recommend it. Probably the most straightforward book about Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh inspired his people and they knew they were fighting for their life. He and General Giap were very smart and excellent leaders. Although from the outside it didn't appear like they had many advantages, they used their advantages to the full measure. One way they used their advantages is chronicled in "The Tunnels of Cu Chi: A Remarkable Story of The Vietnam War" by Tom Mangold and John Penycate.
Of course there's also the scathing "Born on the 4th of July" by Ron Kovic. The book is great and Tom Cruise is amazing as Kovic in the movie. One of his best roles by far.
As for fiction, a great book is Tim O'Brien's "Going After Cacciato". This is a very brutal and trippy book and will stay with you for the rest of your life. It's a very haunting novel.
Great songs from, about or dealing with the Vietnam War:
Paul Hardcastle's "19":
Huey Lewis and The News, yes "The Power of Love" band, "Walking On A Thin Line":
The Charlie Daniels Band "Still In Saigon":
I don't know if Stan Ridgway meant this song seriously or tongue in cheek, however I've always taken it seriously. That's especially at the 6:30 mark, that's where the goosebumps come in.
Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A.":
The above song talks about the Battle of Khe Sahn, here's some more information about that battle:
From Francis Ford Coppola's amazing "Apocalypse Now", this is the Doors "The End":
The Rolling Stones "Paint It Black":
This is another appropriate Rolling Stones song, "Gimme Shelter":
Here are some protest songs.
"It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son" Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son":
"Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth":
Who can forget the chilling line "Four dead in Ohio". This song is about the National Guard firing on students at Kent State University. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's "Ohio":
"We Gotta Get Out Of This Place":
Country Joe and the Fish "Vietnam Song":
Canned Heat "Going Up The Country":
More songs that were popular during the Vietnam War. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "The Tracks Of My Tears":
Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit/ Somebody To Love" (On The Smothers Brothers Show):
Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild":
themusicaddict
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