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by Albert Grandolini and E. R. Hooton.
Softcover (8.3×11.8 inches). 92 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: The Secret War Begins: Laos 1954-1960
Subtitle: Asia at War 57
The Vietnam War is well covered, but this book examines the war in neighboring Laos, especially in the 1950s. It’s a fantastic recap of the coups and counter-coups and the military effort behind each. The forces arrayed against the French and later US, Thailand, and Vietnam were miserably equipped with WWII weapons and got marginally better when the USSR, China, and US later pumped in military aid.
I can’t say I remember all the Laotian names — it’s part my Western ignorance and part parade of ambitious leaders. It’s all well laid out in roughly chronological order.
One typo: Pathet Loa (p54) should be Pathet Lao.
The book contains 129 black and white photos, three color maps, one black and white map, 21 color camouflage illustrations: 13 aircraft, five vehicles, and three helicopters.
During the Vietnam War, the Ho Chi Minh Trail led through Laos. Here’s how Laos formed after the French left.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
