The road not taken : Edward Lansdale and the American tragedy in Vietnam

Prologue: The day of the dead: Saigon, November 1-2, 1963

Introduction: The misunderstood man

Ad man (1908-1945). In terrific flux ; Enfant terrible ; An institution run by its inmates

Colonel Landslide (1945-1954). The time of his life ; In love and war ; The knights templar ; "A most difficult and delicate problem" ; "All-out force or all-out friendship" ; The power broker ; "A real vindication"

National builder (1954-1956). La guerre sans fronts ; A fortress falls ; "I am Ngo Dinh Diem" ; The chopstick torture ; Pacification ; The viper's nest ; "Stop calling me papa!"

Washington warrior (1957-1963). Heartbreak hotel ; Guerrilla guru ; A new war begins ; The ambassador who never was ; "The X factor" ; "Worms of the world unite" ; "Washington at its nuttiest"

Bastard child (1964-1968). "A hell of a mess" ; "Concept for victory" ; Escalation ; The impossible missions force ; Waging peace in a time of war ; To stay or to go? ; Waiting for the second coming ; The long goodbye

The beaten man (1968-1987). The war at home ; A defeat in disguise ; The abandoned ally ; The family jewels ; The end of the road

Afterword: Lansdalism in the twenty-first century.