Collection Highlights
The Microform Collection in the Central Library has been growing steadily in size and scope over the years. Due to
the format of the material, it is not possible for users to
browse the collection to see what has been added. Hence
we are highlighting some of the major titles added, starting
with two titles on the Vietnam War.
The Echols Collection: selections on the Vietnam
War. Ann Arbour, MI: UMI, 1989.
6,496 microfiches.
Selected from the vast holdings of the John M. Echols Collection at Cornell University and published in microform by UMI, the contents of this collection provide an illumi nating insight into the pre-war and wartime history of Vietnam as well as the long-term effects of the Vietnamese conflict in Southeast Asia and around the world.Contents: The 5,000 volumes of English, French and Vietnamese language materials which make up the Selections on the Vietnam War, is a historical record of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The documents in the collection reflect the variety of political and social commentary on the period, including views expressed by anti-war groups, pro-war factions, reli gious groups and governmental organisations worldwide. It contains books, speeches, economic plans, treaties, reports, legislation, government documents, literary works and pamphlets .
Arrangement: The collection comprises 13 units ar ranged by language, with English language materials taking precedence. A considerable portion of the ma terials are in French. Within each unit, there is further division by subject.
Access: The fiches are arranged in numerical sequence. However, printed (hard copy) guides which facilitate access by author, title and subject indexes are available for each unit.
History of the Vietnam War. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI, 1988.
8,580 microfiches
This collection was selected from the Indochina Archives at the University of California, Berkeley and published in microform by UMI. An abundance of sources distinguishes the collection and includes materials from all the governments and organisations directly involved in the Vietnam War, including their respective military forces. It is reputed to represent 'all of the competing perceptions of the nature, course and purpose of the war'.Contents: Most items were written prior to 30 April 1975 and include materials such as declassified U.S govern ment documents, captured documents, prisoner of war interrogation reports, clippings from American, Vietnamese, Asian and European media, FBIS monitor reports, propaganda leaflets and unpublished manuscripts by Vietnamese writers.
Arrangement: The collection has eight units. The arrangement is from general to the specific.The most important materials are grouped together, both by units and within each unit. In the first five units, the arrangement is chronological, while the remaining three units are organised by topic.
Access: The fiches are arranged in numerical sequence. However, printed (hard copy) guides which facilitate access by author, title and subject indexes are available for each unit.
| Why should one pay such deep attention to chemical and biological weapons? After all, what matters first is the will of destruction and what one should pull from man's heart is the roots of war mania. We would like to adopt a more realistic and pragmatic perspective. This weapon has been newly developed, the scientific and industrial investments it has required are not economically considerable as in the case of the atomic weapon. Lastly, the conversion of this activity to pacific aims is easy (in fact, this weapon is but a perversion of chemical and bacteriological research and industry). The prohibition of this weapon is therefore a realistic goal. The success reaped by those struggling against it would be a great one for mankind. Source: US Chemical Warfare and its consequences : dossier. Hanoi: Vietnam Courier, 1980. p.178. |
The Echols Collection : selections on the Vietnam War and History of the Vietnam War contain a wealth of primary research material. It should be of interest to researchers from a number of disciplines, including History, Political Science, Sociology and Law. It would be of particular interest to students of the Southeast Asian Studies Programme.