Honourable Exit

‘Vietnam is America’s unfinished war — unfinished because so many, men and women, have yet to come home body and soul. Honourable Exit is that homecoming. Beautifully written, achingly poignant, scrupulously reported, this story is a revelation. We see history in ways we hadn't imagined. Honourable Exit is a book for every generation of readers.’

-- Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times best-selling author of 12 Strong and The Odyssey of Echo Company

‘In this moving account of the “Righteous Americans”, Clarke celebrates the forgotten men and women who, in the face of great opposition, managed to pull off an epic humanitarian and immigration success story. A powerful and inspiring lesson in courage that could not be more relevant today.’

-- Rory Kennedy, Academy Award-nominated director and producer of Last Days in Vietnam

‘Filled with new information and riveting recreations of daring rescues, this book adds significantly to the history of a notable moment in U.S. military history.’

-- Publishers Weekly

‘America's years in Vietnam were full of shame, but the last days of the war saw a remarkable effort at redemption. Breaking rules set by their higher-ups, ordinary Americans — servicemen, diplomats, spies, private citizens — moved heaven and earth to get their Vietnamese friends and allies to safety. Thurston Clarke's Honourable Exit brings this little-known story to light with the speed and power of a riveting thriller. It challenges us to remember a time when Americans refused to abandon desperate people in a far-off country. It's a kind of Schindler's List for America's lost war.’

-- George Packer, author of The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq and The Unwinding: an inner history of the new America

‘Thurston Clarke has a genius for finding episodes in history that deserve re-examination. Just as the U.S. rescued its employees and allies from the embassy roof, this gifted story-teller has found gems of heroism, honour, and suspense in an agonising chapter of the American story.’

-- Strobe Talbott, former deputy secretary of state and distinguished fellow in residence at Brookings

‘Thurston Clarke's Honourable Exit is the missing book on the Fall of Saigon we've been waiting for. Among other things, it is a brilliant recounting of President Gerald Ford's vital leadership during the last days of the Vietnam War. Over 130,000 South Vietnamese allies were saved because of Ford's moral certitude. An epic narrative history for the ages!’

-- Douglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite

‘In this intelligent study, [Thurston Clarke] shows how in those final days a motley group of soldiers, diplomats, missionaries and spies airlifted more than 130,000 refugees to America – all in defiance of superiors and public opinion. He creates a nuanced portrait of those days that popular misconceptions of the iconic photograph miss: a complex one of guilt, betrayal and honour.’

-- Steven Carrol * Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Non-Fiction Pick of the Week’ *

‘[Thurston Clarke’s] story is a tribute to these brave people ... Honourable Exit shines a light on a time when Americans refused to abandon thousands of their desperate allies. It is perhaps the only good thing.’

-- Margaret Reilly * Daily Post *

‘Despite its unfortunate subtitle, Honourable Exit is a serious, well-researched and engaging attempt to relate the story of the last days of South Vietnam, or the Republic of Vietnam ... declassified U.S. government documents that shed revealing light on the dismal failure of the Ford administration and the ambassador to South Vietnam, Graham Martin, in particular, to prepare for the repatriation of U.S. personnel and the extraction of Vietnamese whose lives would be in danger if they stayed behind ... Clarke excels at balancing captivating oral history and illuminating political history ... The author’s work as a novelist is evident in the way he delineates key players. The good are very good and the bad, well, very bad ... In its final chapters, Honourable Exit expertly captures the mayhem of South Vietnam’s dying days.’

-- Pierre Asselin * The Washington Post *

‘Honourable Exit is another important, and very readable, history from...Thurston Clarke ... Clarke’s research is relentless—he has unearthed and read pertinent material, and interviewed the players in this extraordinary story. The rich bibliography has 141 citations. It’s an extraordinary effort, giving us the back-story for the fall of Saigon. Perhaps most importantly, Thurston Clarke reminds the reader of what America gained by rescuing the Vietnamese refugees.’

-- Jerry McGovern * Adirondack Daily Enterprise *

‘Historian Clarke...offers a thrilling and fresh perspective of the Vietnam War based on new information and a showcase of American heroism ... Fans of military and U.S. history will revel in Clarke's expert storytelling, well-crafted re-creations, and research.’

-- David Miller * Library Journal *

‘A detailed account ... [and] harrowing narrative ... Moving to a hair-raising climax, Clarke meticulously sifts through hasty evacuation measures and relates the sad stories of those who did not make it out. A welcome addition to the literature on the Vietnam War.’

* Kirkus Reviews *

‘Honourable Exit is by far the best book about the tragic end of Vietnam and a must read for those interested in US military operations and especially operations in Southeast Asia.’

* US Naval Institute, ‘Proceedings’ *

‘Clarke’s writing is clear and comprehensive … Clarke’s story needs to be told; needs to circulate around Washington, DC, and be required reading for members of congressional committees. It’s my understanding that a film of this remarkable story is being made.’

-- Tony Zurlo * Peace Corps Worldwide *

‘Surprising … [A] complete story of the last days of the Vietnam War.’

* New York Post *

‘Tells of Americans still in Vietnam as it fell to the North Vietnamese and their struggle to rescue the South Vietnamese … Brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.’

* Washington Independent Review of Boo