My Lai with Busboys and Poets Books
Date and Time
Mar 15, 2018 6:30 pm
Location
Takoma
235 Carroll St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20012
Mar 15, 2018 6:30 pm
Takoma
Please join Busboys and Poets Books as we welcome author Howard Jones to discuss his book "My Lai: Vietnam, 1968 and the Descent into Darkness."
On the morning of March 16, 1968, American soldiers from three platoons of Charlie Company entered the hamlet of My Lai in Vietnam. The Tet Offensive had occurred in the same area only weeks earlier. Many of the US soldiers were teenagers who had just arrived in the country. But after they left My Lai, they had killed 504 innocent civilians almost all of them women and children.
Military authorities attempted to suppress the news of My Lai until a helicopter pilot who had been there spoke up. The cover up was exposed. Lieutenant William Calley admitted his role but insisted that he acted upon orders. Calley and 30 others were charged with war crimes.
My Lai polarized American sentiment. Now 50 years later to the date, author Howard Jones will explain why and discuss his 2017 release of “My Lai: Descent into Darkness.” The New York Times writes that “it is a book at once painful and useful, and is likely to become the standard reference work on My Lai.”
My Lai was one of the most horrific tragedies in the Vietnam War. And, unfortunately, there were many more travesties just like it. In addition, the US continues similar strategies in its current wars. Understanding this part of our modern history is essential to understanding our nation.
This event is co-sponsored by the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee. VPCC was founded in 2014 in response to a multi-million dollar public relations campaign by the Pentagon to retell the history of the Vietnam War. The aim of VPCC is to make sure that all versions undertaken to explain the war are accurate and accountable. It has monitored and challenged the 10-year Pentagon campaign, provided feedback and suggestions to the PBS Ken Burns/Lynn Novick 18-hour documentary and reviewed the current exhibition at the National Archives. In addition, it is holding a public and peaceful vigil to commemorate the 50th year after the My Lai massacre and out nation’s penitence on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 12 noon in front of the White House. For more information please see: vietnampeace.org.
Books will be available for purchase before and after the event. Please contact books@busboysandpoets.com with questions.
