The Vietnam War was a complex conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1955 to 1975 that influenced not only military strategies but also societal, political, and cultural landscapes. Chris Crowe’s novel, Death Coming Up the Hill, navigates through this turbulent period, portraying the Vietnam War’s reverberations across American individuals and society. Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s, the novel is immersed in the Vietnam War’s political entanglements and moral quandaries. During this time, the United States was embroiled in a protracted struggle to contain the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam. The year 1968, a critical juncture in the war, witnessed pivotal events that dramatically impacted both the war’s trajectory and the nation’s psyche. In his novel, Crowe portrays how “the fog of war cast a haze” over everything (26).

The 1968 Tet Offensive, a series of surprise attacks launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on South Vietnam’s cities and military installations, marked a turning point in the conflict. Despite the military setbacks faced by the attackers, the Tet Offensive profoundly influenced public opinion in the United States. It shattered the prevailing belief that victory was imminent and eroded faith in the government’s claims of progress in the war effort.