1737 Why We Were in Vietnam, by Norman Podhoretz (read 5 Aug 1982) Somewhat to my surprise I read this based on a recommendation by a conservative columnist. Podhoretz concludes we were in Vietnam for idealistic reasons, though it was imprudent to attempt what we did. I sturdily supported our Vietnam policy until 1968, when I became more dovish--but my heart was never really in my dovishness, though despising Nixon as I did I could be easy about opposing things he did. But this book is so rightist that it turned me off some, too. But the book is a good antidote to the liberal line on Vietnam. ( )