<P><B></B> This new book sets in context the conflict from the end of the Indochina War in 1954 to the eruption of full-scale war in 1965, and places events against their full international background. Books in this Seminar Studies in History series bridge the gap between textbook and specialist survey and consists of a brief "Introduction" and/or "Background" to the subject, valuable in bringing the reader up-to-speed on the area being examined, followed by a substantial and authoritative section of "Analysis" focusing on the main themes and issues. There is a succinct "Assessment" of the subject, a generous selection of "Documents" and a detailed bibliography. <B></B> Why did the US make a commitment to an independent South Vietnam? Could a major war have been averted? This book provides a short, accessible introduction to the origins of the Vietnam War. The war had a profound and lasting impact on the politics and society of Vietnam and the United States, and it also had a major impact on international relations. <B></B> Readers interested in the history of southeast Asia, or the Vietnam War. </P>