Honorable Exit

How a Few Brave Americans Risked All to Save Our Vietnamese Allies at the End of the War

By: Thurston Clarke

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

A groundbreaking revisionist history of the last days of the Vietnam War that reveals the acts of American heroism that saved more than one hundred thousand South Vietnamese from communist revenge

In 1973 U.S. participation in the Vietnam War ended in a cease-fire and a withdrawal that included promises by President Nixon to assist the South in the event of invasion by the North. But in early 1975, when North Vietnamese forces began a full-scale assault, Congress refused to send arms or aid. By early April that year, the South was on the brink of a defeat that threatened execution or years in a concentration camp for the untold number of South Vietnamese who had supported the government in Saigon or worked with Americans.
Thurston Clarke begins Honorable Exit by describing the iconic photograph of the Fall of Saigon: desperate Vietnamese scrambling to board a helicopter evacuating the last American personnel from Vietnam. It is an image of U.S. failure and shame. Or is it? By unpacking the surprising story of heroism that the photograph actually tells, Clarke launches into a narrative that is both a thrilling race against time and an important corrective to the historical record. For what is less known is that during those final days, scores of Americans--diplomats, businessmen, soldiers, missionaries, contractors, and spies--risked their lives to assist their current and former translators, drivers, colleagues, neighbors, friends, and even perfect strangers in escape. By the time the last U.S. helicopter left Vietnam on April 30, 1975, these righteous Americans had helped to spirit 130,000 South Vietnamese to U.S. bases in Guam and the Philippines. From there, the evacuees were resettled in the U.S. and became American citizens, the leading edge of one of America's most successful immigrant groups.
Into this tale of heroism on the ground Clarke weaves the political machinations of Henry Kissinger advising President Ford in the White House while reinforcing the delusions of the U.S. Ambassador in Saigon, who, at the last minute, refused to depart. Groundbreaking, page-turning, and authoritative, Honorable Exit is a deeply moving history of Americans at a little-known finest hour.

Includes a PDF of the Principal Characters list from the book.

Fascinating

Well detailed account of the final days of the Vietnam war . Heroes and villains all get a mention . Well done. You can almost hear the chopper blades in your head and see the 400 left behind looking up at the last one leaving . Sad

Very detailed account of the fall of Saigon

This is a long one. If you enjoy detailed accounts of historical events this is for you.

New truths about the Vietnam War & the great evacuation

Many new facts & details revealed. Riveting story, well written & narrated. Highly recommended for anyone impacted by the Vietnam War, including my brothers in arms. 🏅

Excellent

Well researched. Well Written. The Author paints a vivid picture of those hectic and tragic days in April 1975. Highly recommend.

Performance was excellent as well