Best Books About Ho Chi Minh
If you want to learn about the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh, there are plenty of great books out there. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Ho Chi Minh: A Life, by William J. Duiker. This biography is widely considered to be the definitive work on Ho Chi Minh. Duiker draws on a wealth of sources, including previously untapped archives in Vietnam, to paint a complex and nuanced portrait of the man and his times.
2. Ho Chi Minh: The Missing Years, by Peter Zinoman. This book focuses on the years between 1912 and 1919, when Ho Chi Minh lived in Europe and became radicalized by the First World War and the Bolshevik Revolution. It’s a fascinating look at how these events shaped Ho Chi Minh’s worldview and shaped the course of Vietnamese history.
3. Ho Chi Minh’s Last Testament, edited by David W.P. Elliott. This collection of Ho Chi Minh’s writings, speeches, and letters offers a revealing look at his thoughts on a wide range of topics, from the Vietnamese Revolution to the Cold War.
4. Uncle Ho: The Untold Story of Ho Chi Minh, by Peter John Gillingham. This biography focuses on Ho Chi Minh’s years in power, from 1945 to his death in 1969. Gillingham draws on a wealth of newly declassified documents to shed light on Ho Chi Minh’s decision-making and his complex relationship with the Soviet Union and China.
5. Ho Chi Minh: A Portrait, by David Marr. This is a shorter biography that focuses on Ho Chi Minh’s early life and his years in power. Marr is a leading Vietnam scholar, and his insights into Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy are invaluable.