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Born October 21, 1940
New York, New York

American journalist and author

Journalist Frances FitzGerald spent sixteen months in Southeast Asia during the height of the Vietnam War. During her time there, she became convinced that America's involvement in the conflict was having a devastating impact on Vietnamese society and that U.S. efforts to save South Vietnam were doomed to fail. After returning to the United States, she published an account of her experiences and impressions titled Fire in the Lake: The Vietnamese and Americans in Vietnam. This book, which examined the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese people, received tremendous critical praise, and it is credited with increasing American opposition to the war.

Decides on career in journalism

Frances FitzGerald was born on October 21,...