Matthew Jagel, at Journal of American History, wrote, “The Vietnam War continues to be one of the most closely scrutinized events in modern American history. That recent studies routinely break new historiographical ground is quite an accomplishment. Mervyn Edwin Roberts ...has forged a new path in this in-depth examination of an oft-overlooked aspect of not just the Vietnam War but warfare in general. Although The Psychological War for Vietnam, 1960-1968 focuses on American operations, North and South Vietnamese efforts to win the hearts and minds of the civilian population are not ignored, making this…invaluable contribution to the literature on the war.”
David Kieran at The American Historical Review, noted The Psychological War for Vietnam is “deeply researched, richly illustrated, and well-written…has added considerably to scholarly understandings of the nature, diversity, and effectiveness of U.S. psychological operations in Vietnam”
Retired Air Force Colonel John Cirafici writing in Air Power History, wrote “Mervyn Roberts demonstrates a sophisticated and informed understanding of psychological operations” and says the book “possess a depth of knowledge beyond the operational and tactical levels of application and is philosophical and intellectual in its understanding of how propaganda affects decision making.”
The Psychological War for Vietnam is a “Substantial and thoroughly researched book…a good primer on PSYOP” according to Katy Doll in the Journal of Military History. “Readers interested in the Vietnam War are sure to learn a great deal about the psychological war on both sides during the conflict.”
“In his new book, military historian Mervyn Roberts (Central Texas College) has produced a comprehensive, well documented, multi-layered, and appropriately illustrated study of US psychological operations (PSYOPS) during the war in Vietnam.” In the Michigan War Studies Review, John Morello further says , “The Psychological War for Vietnam is an authoritative study...Mervyn Roberts has done historians and students of the Vietnam War a great service …”
In Military Review Journal, June 2018, Jessie McIntyre says “…This book is a must read for psychological operations and counterinsurgency stakeholders…”
Review at Vietnam Veterans of America website: “Roberts’ grasp of the historical context is impressive…there has been no truly comprehensive look at psyops tactics and their role in the Vietnam War until this book.” Michael Ludden, author and former editor for Orlando Sentinel https://vvabooks.wordpress.com/tag/mervyn-roberts-vietnam-war/
“Psychological warfare (PSYOP) has always played an important role on the battlefield. In this important and well-researched study, Mervyn Roberts explores PSYOP techniques employed by the United States in Vietnam through the 1968 Tet Offensive and concludes that while these registered considerable success, this went for naught given the US decision to depart Vietnam.”
—Spencer C. Tucker, author of Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War, Revised Edition
“Long overdue, this is a comprehensive study that focuses exclusively on the role of psychological operations in Vietnam during 1960–1968. It addresses the development of PSYOP doctrine, forces, and conduct of operations within the wider context of the war. The author demonstrates how these operations resulted in what he describes as the most sustained, intensive use of PSYOP in American history. Meticulously documented and extremely well written, this book is an important addition to the historiography of the Vietnam War.”
—James H. Willbanks, author of Abandoning Vietnam: How America Left and South Vietnam Lost Its War and A Raid Too Far: Operation Lam Son 719 and Vietnamization in Laos
“Mervyn Roberts goes far toward filling a gap in our knowledge of the Southeast Asian conflict with his The Psychological War for Vietnam, 1960–1968; a nicely researched overview of what formed a significant part of the fight for hearts and minds that lay at the center of the war.”
—John Prados, author of Valley of Decision: The Siege of Khe Sanh