On the afternoon of March 6, the Foreign Affairs Television Department, Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Vietnam Military History Museum jointly organized a talk with Mr. Craig McNamara, author of the book Because Our Fathers Lied (Vietnamese title: Vì cha chúng tôi dối trá), about his quest to uncover the truth behind the Vietnam War. The event was attended by former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Vinh, representatives from the VTV’s Foreign Affairs Television Department, representatives from Tre Publishing House, and a diverse audience of readers.
Mr. Craig McNamara is the son of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, often regarded as the “chief architect” of the Vietnam War. He is also the central figure in the documentary "The Clash of Wills", produced by VTV’s International Program Department to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification. His memoir Because Our Fathers Lied – A Story of Truth and Family, from Vietnam to Today is also set to be published in Vietnam.
Mr. Craig McNamara at the press conference this afternoon (March 6).
By introducing his book and participating in this documentary, Mr. Craig McNamara recounts his experience witnessing his father’s role in strategizing and executing the war half a century ago. He he sets out on a quest through historical archives, interviews with key witnesses, and visits to the very war sites left behind by his father in Vietnam to uncover the X-factor—the unknown element within the Vietnamese military and people that Robert McNamara struggled to account for in his war calculations, ultimately leading to a bitter outcome. Beyond that, the deep divisions within the United States and the personal turmoil within the McNamara family are also portrayed in dramatic detail. Craig reflects on his transformation—from the son of a key war strategist to an outspoken anti-war activist, opposing the very conflict his father had helped orchestrate and command.
Many young attendees were present at the press conference and eagerly asked Mr. Craig McNamara various questions.
The conversation with author Craig McNamara took place at the Vietnam Military History Museum, where he expressed his admiration for the museum's architecture. During the talk, he discussed his book "Because Our Fathers Lied" as well as his journey with the International Program Department in producing the two-part documentary "The Clash of Wills". This documentary is scheduled to air on VTV to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification. Since late July 2024, the VTV4 production crew had been in contact with Mr. Craig McNamara, providing him with the opportunity to visit Vietnam. Alongside the production crew, he visited many locations throughout the country, exploring the historical remnants of the war.
Mr. Craig McNamara explained that his motivation for writing “Because Our Fathers Lied” stemmed from his love for his father - Robert McNamara.
"For me, my father’s eight years as Secretary of Defense were filled with decisions that could never be undone. Worse yet, many of those decisions caused irreversible harm, such as authorizing the spraying of over 13 million liters of Agent Orange across Vietnam", he said at the event. "I believe he had a responsibility for the consequences his decisions inflicted on the Vietnamese people. There was always a fundamental difference in how we saw things, and this memoir helped me find reconciliation between myself and my father. I am pleased to announce that Tre Publishing House will release the Vietnamese edition of my book in April. I believe making this book available to Vietnamese readers is just as important as its publication in the U.S".
Journalist Hoang Linh and Mr. Craig McNamara.
"The 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification is a rare and significant milestone. This documentary must capture perspectives spanning half a century while ensuring it presents fresh rather than merely rehashing past works. With countless films and exceptional documentaries about the Vietnam War already produced, how do we offer a fresh perspective? That was the challenge our production team faced. We watched many films and read extensively, and fortunately, we discovered Mr. Craig McNamara. Convincing him to participate in the documentary and understand its message was a long and careful process", said journalist Hoang Linh from VTV’s International Program Department.
In addition to Mr. Craig McNamara, the documentary features other prominent figures, including historical witnesses and renowned experts on the Vietnam War in the United States.
