What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Vietnam War
Series · 2017
If you loved The Vietnam War, start with Full Metal Jacket (Stanley Kubrick, 1987) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Vietnam War across media.
If you were captivated by the raw, multifaceted human experience in The Vietnam War, these selections further explore the haunting psychological and political complexities of conflict.
Books on the same thread
The Uncensored War
Daniel C. Hallin · Book · 1989
Shares a thread with The Vietnam War: Military History.
Much like the documentary series, this book dissects the crucial role of media and public perception in shaping the narrative of the war that defined a generation.
The American Revolution
Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns · Book
Shares a thread with The Vietnam War: military history.
If the historical scope of The Vietnam War fascinated you, this companion to the series provides a similar deep dive into the foundational military and political conflicts of America.
The Things They Carried
Tim O'Brien · Book · 2017
Explores: Vietnam War, Trauma, Memory.
This literary masterpiece captures the same intimate, devastating trauma of the soldiers featured in The Vietnam War, transforming historical experience into a profound meditation on memory and human suffering.
The Best and the Brightest
David Halberstam · Book · 2002
Explores: Hubris, Foreign Policy Blunders, Groupthink.
This essential history complements The Vietnam War by meticulously detailing the hubris and institutional failures of leadership that led to the tragic escalation of the conflict in Southeast Asia.
Films on the same thread
Full Metal Jacket
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1987
Explores: Dehumanization of War, Loss of Innocence, Psychological Trauma.
Echoing the harrowing testimonies in The Vietnam War, this film offers a visceral look at the dehumanization and psychological breakdown experienced by those subjected to rigorous military training and combat.
Platoon
Oliver Stone · Film · 1986
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Loss of Innocence, Dehumanization of War.
This film mirrors the moral ambiguity highlighted in The Vietnam War, focusing on the internal conflict and loss of innocence faced by soldiers caught in the chaos of battle.
The Deer Hunter
Michael Cimino · Film · 1978
Explores: loss of innocence, the psychological impact of war, working-class experience.
Just as The Vietnam War examines the long-term impact on veterans, this film provides a poignant look at how the psychological trauma of combat irrevocably changes the lives of friends.
Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1979
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, The Horrors of War, Loss of Innocence.
This film explores the descent into madness and the moral vacuum of the conflict, reflecting the dark, surreal realities often described by witnesses in The Vietnam War documentary series.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Shares a thread with The Vietnam War: historical revisionism.
Like the historical revisionism found in The Vietnam War, this podcast challenges national narratives by examining the systemic foundations that continue to shape the American identity and societal struggles.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Fans of the deep historical analysis in The Vietnam War will appreciate this podcast for its unorthodox, long-form exploration of the moral consequences of power throughout human civilization.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the narrative perspective used in The Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War utilizes an immersive 360-degree narrative approach. It presents the history of the conflict through the testimony of nearly 80 witnesses, including American soldiers, war protesters, and Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both sides of the conflict.
Does The Vietnam War include perspectives from both sides?
Yes, The Vietnam War features testimony from individuals on all sides of the conflict. This includes American veterans and those who opposed the war, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides of the war.
How many witnesses are interviewed for The Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 80 different witnesses. These individuals provide a comprehensive look at the history of the conflict by sharing their personal experiences as combatants, civilians, or protesters throughout the duration of the war.
Is The Vietnam War presented as a traditional documentary?
The Vietnam War is described as an immersive 360-degree narrative rather than a standard documentary. It tells the epic story of the conflict by weaving together the firsthand accounts of nearly 80 witnesses who experienced the war from various personal and political viewpoints.