Robert J. McMahon’s Contested Memory: The Vietnam War and American Society, 1975–2001 explores the persistent and deeply divided collective memory of the Vietnam War in the United States, positioning it as one of the nation’s most contentious historical events since the Civil War. The article examines how public memory, shaped by societal needs and elite-driven narratives, remains a site of ongoing debate. Competing perspectives—the vindicationist view celebrating American motives and veterans’ heroism, and the critical view emphasizing moral and strategic failures—reflect broader struggles over the war’s meaning and legacy. McMahon highlights how U.S. political leaders, from Gerald Ford to Bill Clinton, selectively framed the war through themes of patriotism, reconciliation, and veteran valor, often sidelining the devastating impact on Vietnam and the broader moral reckoning. By linking Vietnam’s memory to debates on America’s global role and military interventions, McMahon underscores its enduring influence on U.S. foreign policy and national identity.

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