The Ugly American
by William Lederer, Eugene Burdickliterary work· published 1958
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This book is a fictionally written depiction of America^s failed foreign policy, tactics and blunders in a country depicted as an area similar to Viet Nam. The journalist author was entrenched in the region for several years as the French tried, without success, to exploit the area. Shortly thereafter the U.S. stepped in and, with typical American (monkeys in a watch shop fashion) enthusiasm, started the decimation of a people and their country. The story follows an American Ambassador as he wheels and deals his way into the hearts and pockets of the local elite whilst paying little notice to the pulse of a disgruntled rural populace allowing the Soviets to step in and sew the seeds of war.
Adaptations (1)
The Ugly American was adapted into a 1963 film.
The Ugly American1963 · film · 120 min · dir. George Englund · IMDb ↗IMDb6.667%An intelligent, articulate scholar, Harrison MacWhite, survives a hostile Senate confirmation hearing at the hands of conservatives to become ambassador to Sarkan, a southeast Asian country where civil war threatens a tense peace. Despite his knowledge, once he's there, MacWhite sees only a dichotomy between the U.S. and Communism. He can't accept that anti-American sentiment might be a longing for self-determination and nationalism. So, he breaks from his friend Deong, a local opposition leader, ignores a foreman's advice about slowing the building of a road, and tries to muscle ahead. What price must the country and his friends pay for him to get some sense?
