Reviews (34)

The Classic Military History of the Korean War
T.R. Fehrenbach's "This Kind of War" is the classic military history of the Korean War.Fehrenbach addresses the strategic and operational aspects of the conflict, but much of his focus is on the tactical experience of U.S. units.His book is a searing indictment of the U.S. military and of the United States for having failed to maintain combat-ready forces less than five years removed from the end of the Second World War.
Must-read for citizens
Fehrenbach's bang-up history of the Korean War is a terrific view of the conflict, written by one who was there.It is not, however, a matter of personal reminiscence.
This should be required reading for those powers that be
This is one of the best books about War that I have ever read.The author is steel on target and should be read by anybody that cares for our nation. His outline of how we got into the Korean War and how we almost got handed our jock strap by a 4th rate nation is scary. There are a lot of lessons to be learned here that could apply to what is going on right now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - Korean War    6. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    7. History / Military / Korean War    8. Korea    9. Korean War, 1950-1953    10. War & defence operations    11. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (9)

Did Cumings write volume one?
In volume one we have nothing but crap from Cumings, and the book reads like socio-cultural and statistical study of Korea after the Japanese surrender, a lot of boring, dry facts.
SUPERB - *THE* GUIDE TO THE ORIGINS OF THIS WAR
It is with appreciation and gratitude that I approach scholars like Bruce Cumings.Courageous, meticulous, and honest, Cumings examines in painstaking detail the societal structure of the Korean state from the end of the Yi Choson dynasty to the role Korea played as a component of the Japanese empire to the various political movements that came to the surface upon Japan's defeat.
The Bible for Students of Modern Korean History
I was an East Asian Studies (focus on Korea) at Harvard.Both Volumes on the Origins of the Korean War by Bruce Cumings are absolute prerequisites to understand and study this unfortunate part of Korean history.I note how some reviewers trashed the book because they think it is "revisionist leftist nonsense" - I believe it is a matter of the reader not liking what actually happened.Prof. Cumings scholarship is impeccable.His tendency to let his passion and compassion for the Korean people show in his writing has earned him the distrust of some.However, scholars in Korean studies - of whatever political persuasion - hail these volumes as masterpieces of scholarship and writing.Both volumes (outrageously priced as they are) are absolute must haves for any library that has a section on Korean history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied occupation, 1945-1948    2. Causes    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Korea    7. Korean War, 1950-1953    8. Military - Korean War    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history    10. China   

Reviews (18)

Readable, But Questionable
This book was pretty readable, however I did have a couple of issues.The biggest problem I had was that it jumped around chronologically.It would appear to be relating events sequentially, then jump back and add an event years prior that would seem to have been too important to skip the first time.This was both confusing and irritating.It also left out alot of significant events.For example, it only mentioned the Pueblo incudent in one sentence in the entire book.It did not explore the event at all.It also did not touch on defections of US servicemembers to the North.And it barely referenced the North's kidnappings of Japanese in the 70's.Also, some event details were erroneous when compared to other books I've read on the same subject.This book seemed heavily subjective/opinion-based in alot of areas.Not my favorite book on the subject.

An overview of Korea
As I have recently moved here, this book was a must read to increase my understanding of Korea.This book does an admirable job of overviewing 1972-2001 on the Korean peninsula, and not only paints a portrait of the politics of South Korea, but also does so with North Korea.Although the specifics of what exactly went on in Pyongyang can only be guessed at, the author makes a competent stab at it, by utilizing the facts as we know them.The journey this book takes you on is astonishing: South Korea's transformation from a largely agrarian authoritarian society to an industrialized, democratic one, and North Korea's slow downward spiral from one level to hell into worse and worse ones.
Good Read
I've found from reading a lot of history books over the years that well-written books on history read more like novels than textbooks. This is such a book. The author weaves a story of the modern Koreas in such a way that not only is it easily comprehendable, but entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Korea    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Korea (North)    6. Korea (South)   

Editorial Review

Bruce Cumings traces the growth of Korea from a string of competingwalled city-states to itspresent dual nationhood. He examines the ways in which Korean culture has beeninfluenced by Japan andChina, and the ways in which it has subtly influenced its more powerfulneighbors. Cumings also considersthe recent changes in the South, where authoritarianism is giving way todemocracy, and in the North,which Cumings depicts as a "socialist corporatist" state more like aneo-Confucian kingdomthan a Stalinist regime. Read more

Reviews (25)

My pillow loves this book.
It loves it because every time I go to read it my pillow gets used when I fall asleep.This book has a couple of parts that are interesting, but mostly it is boring political views. If you don't have a passion for East Asia, do not read this book; it is like pulling teeth.

Don't read this book for its treatment of politics of Korean War to now.There's plenty of other books for that!
What makes this book GREAT is Cummings' ability to artfully and intelligently convey the cultural and historical flavor of Korea!He does this amazingly with such honesty, insight and intelligence.This is what makes this book one of the BEST books about Korea!If you're interested in kearning about Korean culture, people history, READ THIS BOOK!
Craven apologist
It shouldn't be possible to write a book like this and have it get the plaudits it has.Basically, Cumings, a toady of the evil Juche-communist Monarchy in North Korea, has set out to write a skewed and biased history of the peninsula to gloss over the horrors of the most evil state on earth.
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Subjects:  1. 1864-1910    2. 20th century    3. Asia - Korea    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. International Relations - General    8. Korea    9. Korea (South)    10. Korea - History    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    12. History / General   

Reviews (7)

Interesting read, but obviously opinionated
Feffer gives an historical account of Korea and tires to show how much the US played a part in its history.It goes up through the dissolution of the agreed framework and attempts to explain Bush Sr., Clinton and Bush Jr's administration policies.Feffer does a reasonable job but constantly offers very opinionated views against the Bush administration that aren't very well thought out.I found the book interesting and informative and enjoyed reading it but my mind wouldn't allow me to believe everything he said because of the obvious agenda to discredit the current administration.The author does show that the North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il's isn't completely crazy and that there may be a small amount of logic to his leadership.Understanding DPRK's history gave me a more understanding view of their desperate situation of trying to survive in a world that has completely changed since the beginning of their State.

Outstanding; clear and concise discussion
After WWII, Feffer writes, the Americans installed Syngman Rhee in the South and the Russians installed Kim Il Sung in the North. The Rhee regime had little popular support. In 1948 on the island of Cheju, in suppressing a rebellion, the regime killed about 60,000. Overall the U.S. backed regime killed about 100,000 oppositionists in its first five years..South Korea started many border clashes with the North beginning in the Summer of 1949 causing huge casualties
Great Book on North/South Korea-US Relations
I enjoyed this book very much.It covers a wide variety of issues concerning U.S.-North Korea-South Korea relations.North Korea is a country we as Americans know so little about.This is a great introductory book to the U.S. policies towards North Korea and why even the U.S. Government's ally, South Korea doesn't agree with their policies.A definite must-read for anyone interested in International Affairs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History: American    4. Politics / Current Events    5. United States - 20th Century    6. ASIA    7. History / United States / 20th Century    8. International relations    9. Korea    10. USA   

Editorial Review

Martin Russ's controversial book Read more

Reviews (104)

Wow, what a book!
I was a History major as an undergrad, so I've read my fair share of books on wars from Carthaginian to Vietnam, but this is far, far, far and away the best I have ever read. I've never, ever been more amazed in my life by the telling of a war story. I've read Pork Chop Hill, Colder Than Hell, and one or two other Korean war books, all good, but the problem the Korean war always had for me was the lack of a sense of closure. This is certainly not the fault of the authors- if I remember my History classes correctly they pretty much had no choice in the matter- it ending in a draw and all. However, with the Chosin Resovoir, much like Dunkirk, the retreat was so necessary and so miraculous that it comes across more like a victory, and the individual stories transcend the inconclusive nature of the war.
"This is a work of fiction"
I like Non-Fiction military books and I was looking for battle accounts of the Korean War. This book seems pretty promising with over 100 customer reviews; After reading one review saying the book was a work of fiction, I went to the Library to check for my self before ordering the book.
Essay in Mendacity
I read this book when it was first released and am astonished at the approach that the author (Martin Russ) decided to take while characterizing the US Army involved in this campaign as well as the scope of his ignorance on the subject.
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Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Changjin Reservoir    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Korea (North)    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military    8. Military - Korean War    9. Military - United States    10. Regimental histories    11. United States    12. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    13. Battles & campaigns    14. History / Military / Korean War    15. Korea    16. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (67)

If you read only one book this year make it, About Face.
I read About Face several years ago now.It is a long read and you will find yourself emursed in the life of this man we come to know as Hack.I emailed this man several times and he always responded back.He has sinced died and America has lost a son.This book is the best read ever if you have a patriotic bone in you don't miss it.
As a soldier, Hack is my hero
Hack told it like it is. We had a batallion commander like him a couple of years ago. If you read the Book "Heavy Metal" Then you would know who it is. In this book hack always had the soldiers by his side. Something officers in todays army dont have. He always knew how to work the system for the benefit of his men. Something today few officers or nco's are willing to do. As a soldier this is my leadership handbook. If civilians want to know how the army works today read this book. Eventhough this book is based on the 50', 60' and 70's I still find officers and nco's today doing what they did 30 to 40 years ago. Once you read this book your outlook on the Army will change. RIP Hack!

A Real American Hero
If you like books about war, then this may become one of your favorites. Don't expect a flowery tale of heroism though. Col. Hackworth is not telling this tale to build his own legend. His interest is in telling the truth and in preserving the memory of Korea and Vietnam, two wars that many people don't know much about. Although he eventually became a full Colonel, Hackworth began his career as an enlisted man, and his book often looks at war from the view of a man on the ground. Overall, this book is an enthralling read, and it has about it that feeling of truth that separates it from many other war books I have read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Historical - U.S.    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military    8. Personal narratives, American    9. Soldiers    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Biography: general   

Reviews (1)

Top-Scoring F-86 Pilots in MiG Alley Action!
Hard on the heels of his recent history of the 51st FW, noted Korean War historian Warren Thompson serves up the exploits of the top-scoring 4th FW in this nicely done Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' series.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - Korean War    6. Military - United States    7. Air forces & warfare    8. History / Military / Aviation    9. Korea    10. c 1945 to c 1960   

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. History - U.S.    3. Reference    4. United States - State & Local - South    5. American history    6. American studies    7. Central Southern states    8. Reference / Encyclopedias    9. abolition; Anglo-American antebellum culture; Atlantic world; Civil War battlefields; Cold War; colonial heritage; Confederate States of America; emancipation; frontier heritage; Great Depression; globalization; Paleo-Indian period; archaic period; woodland period; Mississippian period; Indian removal; Jacksonian Democracy; Jeffersonian Tradition; Korean War; maritime tradition; Mexican War; black migration; military bases; military tradition; New Deal; Progressive Era; Reconstruction; sharecropping; slave culture; slave revolts; Spanish-American War; Vietnam War; War of 1812; World War I; World War II; Robert Beverly; Daniel Boone; William Byrd II; John C. Calhoun; Jimmy Carter; Citizens' Councils; Bill Clinton; Confederate veterans; Congress of Racial Equality (CORE); Davy Crockett; Jefferson Davis; Frederick Douglass; W. E. B. Du Bois; Medgar Evers; Farm Security Administration; George Fitzhugh; Nathan Bedford Forrest; John Hope Franklin; Grimke sisters; Fannie Lou Hamer; James Henry Hammond; Andrew Jackson; Jesse Jackson; Stonewall Jackson; Jamestown; Thomas Jefferson; Andrew Johnson; Lyndon B. Johnson; Martin Luther King Jr.; Robert E. Lee; John Roy Lynch; James Madison; James Meredith; James Monroe; NAACP; Frederick Law Olmstead; Frank Owsley; U. B. Phillips; James Knox Polk; Elizabeth Allston Pringle; John Randolph; Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); Southern Historical Association; Southern Historical Society; Jeb Stuart; Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); John Taylor; Trail of Tears; Nat Turner; United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC); 1965 Voting Rights Act; Booker T. Washington; Ida B. Wells-Barnett; Woodrow Wilson; Carter G. Woodson; C. Vann Woodward; Alvin C. York   

Reviews (35)

Cold Hard, Mean and True
You have a choice with this book. You can read it like an adventure story and be stunned by the thrilling story or you can read it like the true account it is of a horrible war. It is a stunning book. It is a must read. Forget the movies read this book. This author deserves a Pulitzer Prize for his account of Korea. He also deserves a medal.

Amazing tale, modest writing
As far as heroism goes Joe Owen and the men he served with are 5 stars plus.What they went through was so amazing that the story was an easy to read page turner and we are forever beholden to the sacrifices they made.I have read other first person narratives that I thought were better for writing craft but this is a book I would recommend for the close up view of this historical moment in Marine history.

RECOMMEND THIS ONE TO YOUR COLLECTION
Excellent read for those interested in this particular conflict.The author is quite discriptive in his narration.He is able, somewhat, to give the "feel" of the circumstances..if that is even vaguely possible through the written word.The author has a tallent for enabling the reader to actually visualize the situation...sometimes rather difficult to accomplishe when addressing military movement on the battlefield.Again, I recommend you add this one to your collection.I makes a very nice reference book along with being a very good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Changjin Reservoir    3. History - Military / War    4. History: American    5. Korea (North)    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military - Korean War    8. Military - Vietnam War    9. Personal narratives, American    10. Regimental histories    11. United States    12. History / Military / Vietnam War    13. Owen, Joseph R    14. USA    15. War fiction   

Reviews (8)

A sell for "The Coldest War"
As a previous reviewer I thought that Brady's book would be more of a focus on the DMZ and perhaps show some insight into "the scariest place."I did enjoy his war time reminiscences but that wasn't why I purchased his book.I didn't particularly care for his 'how he belatedly was awarded the Bronze Star,' and chumming around with colonels and generals at galas and such as it sounded like 'how great I am after all.'Oh, and by the way, Senator Chafee was my CO.I got tired of Mr. Brady selling his earlier pub,"The Marines of Autumn" (which is a fine read) but in particular I did not like him pimping (perhaps a bit too strong) his "The Coldest War."There are sections of the book where he cites this book seemingly every other page.After awhile I started to feel a bit sorry for Mr. Brady which is too bad as I'm sure that he was a fine officer for his Marines of Dog Company.It's an ok book for what it is but it really isn't about "the scariest place."

Reunion with Combat
The Scariest Place in the World by James Brady. Published by St. Martin's Press 11 April 2006. Paperback. ISBN 0312332432.
A warm look back at a cold and scary place
Man... Talk about crabby... Everyone else who's reviewed this book so far here don't seem to be impressed. But I always enjoy James Brady's writing and this book was no exception. It's a memoir, of course. The underlying theme of the book is the march of time and how one looks back at -- or in this case, returns to -- a specific geographic place where youthful impressions were made, ideals died or changed... Where a young, unsure Marine officer discovered he did, in fact, have what it took to lead Marines in combat.
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Subjects:  1. 1928-    2. Asia - Korea    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Brady, James,    7. Description and travel    8. Korea (South)    9. Korean Demilitarized Zone (Kor    10. Korean Demilitarized Zone (Korea)    11. Korean War, 1950-1953    12. Military    13. Personal narratives, American    14. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (10)

A very good over view of the Korean War
My Dad who was in the that war told me that it was one of the best books he had read on the war. Enough said.

a qualified great accomplishment
A very finely written book, that delves into the people that shaped the war.The first chapter, that deals with all the characters and events that broght about the demobilization of the armed forces after WWII is absolutely riveting.The final chapter on the settlement talks is also as comprehensive as any book on the subject that I've read.Throughout the book, there is great attention to all the figures that shaped the war. There is only one caveat.That is, the bulk of the book on the war itself, is a case of overkill. I literally found myself skimming parts, simply because it seemed like I had read it all before.While technially a great achievement.I think that a 500 page book, with the first and last parts left intact, may have had a greater impact.Nonetheless, this is a definite must read on this war.

Exhaustive command history of a forgotten war...
The Forgotten War: America in Korea is an exhaustive study of command level combat in Korea.While the title claims to cover the war for 1950 thru its conclusion in 1953, in reality only perhaps 25 pages cover the last two years of the war.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Campaings    3. History: American    4. Korean War, 1950-1953    5. Military - Korean War    6. Military History (General)    7. Sale Adult - History - Military / War    8. United States    9. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (4)

an interesting treatment of another aspect of conflict
Beginning with the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, followed by its replacement by the United States in 1945, the military governments established a series of bases, and from around these bases grew camptowns, a section of businesses that offered everything from souvenirs to alcohol to prostitution.For her own extended metaphor, Yuh refers to the shadow, or influence, that is cast by these camptowns not only across the Korean landscape but also within the Korean people, most specifically the women who worked, often as indentured servants, within these camptowns and went on to marry soldiers.Yuh makes explicit her change in referring to these women as military brides over war brides.This does not obfuscate, however, the historical value of war brides as being equivalent to war booty and hence configured more as property, even as the remnants of this idea manifest in certain social attitudes (i.e., domestic subservience) that many of the American servicemen may have had toward their Korean wives.
Powerful and Well Written
As the author points out, there is very little work on international military wives, and Korean military wives in particular.By such a logic, this book is a welcome project indeed. A moving and eye-opening account
This book fills a need by covering Korean women who married American military men and their experiences in life, the prejudices they've encountered from other Koreans and white Americans, and how they stake out a place of meaning for themselves through church activities with other Korean military wives.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Cultural assimilation    4. Emigration & Immigration    5. Ethnic Studies - Asian American Studies    6. History    7. History: World    8. Korean American women    9. Korean Americans    10. Military - Korean War    11. Social conditions    12. Sociology    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Cultural studies    15. Ethnic studies    16. Immigration & emigration    17. Korea    18. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    19. USA    20. War & defence operations    21. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Banks and banking    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Comparative Economics    6. Economic History    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    8. Finance    9. Financial Economics (General)    10. Japan    11. Korea (South)    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Taiwan    15. Business & Economics / Economic Development    16. Development economics    17. Economics | Industrial    18. International finance    19. Korea   

Reviews (4)

AuthorZone.Com Book Review
Excellent book. Well written, easily read, thought provoking. Is long, but not cumbersome. should be required reading for all seving military leaders
I first came to hear of ABOUT FACE from a friend and fellow NCO in Korea.He said I might think it was good,Was that an understatement. I read About Face in one fourteen hour plane ride back to Korea. I've read itthree more times so far and recommend it to all my friends deserving thetitle Non-Commisioned Officer. I truly believe that all military leadersshould read this and take from it; Hack's wisdom and experiance dealingwith the military, Integrity and soldiering.

A Great Man, A Great Book, A Great Read
I bought this book when I was about 11 years old and a big fan of "war stories".I am now approaching twenty and have read this book at least once a year since first purchasing it, to the extent that it is now in three parts and the photographs have fallen out.This book is an intense, gripping, readable but most of all honest and believable account of one of America's greatest warriors and his experiences...from the forested slopes of Trieste in 1946 to being chased around Washington DC by Army Intell goons in 1971, this book, while entertaining, will also teach you everything you need to know about duty, honour,bravery and honest patriotism, qualities that come hard to find in the era of Iran-Contra, Tailhook, Whitewater and the like... This book will make you laugh, cry and think. Please, read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Hackworth, David H    7. Korean War, 1950-1953    8. Military - Vietnam War    9. Military History (General)    10. Personal narratives, American    11. Soldiers    12. United States   

Reviews (1)

Close observation at Chosin, although not under fire
In general, this is about (part of) Chosin operation.The author was thecommander of H&R company of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine during Chosinoperation.He gave a good account about the hardship the marines enduredduring the operation.Mind that his battalion was assigned the task oftaking Hill 1081 and wrestled the control of Funchilin Pass out fromsuperior Chinese Communist Part (CCP) forces.Unfortunately, he was insuch a position that he spent most of his time staying very close tobattalion HQ and could not provide more details about the fighting. (Interesting readers should look up S.L.A. Marshall's "Battle atBest".There is a chapter dedicated to the battle of Funchilin Pass.) But, it is still a good book with the first hand account of the Chosin. Of course, nobody who are interesting in Korea War would want to miss thetwo very valuable reports about CCP troops' attack patterns, written byS.L.A. Marshall himself, attached at the end of the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Changjin Reservoir    3. Fiction    4. History - Military / War    5. Korea (North)    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Marines    8. Military - General    9. Military - Korean War    10. Regimental histories    11. United States   

Reviews (1)

Testosterone Plaza!
After the testosterone-fueled rebirth of (South) Korean cinema in the '80s and '90s, only in the last few years have serious, critically rigorous books on the subject begun to appear in English in dribs and drabs. Kim Kyung-hyun's The Remasculinization of Korean Cinema is the most theoretically sophisticated to appear so far, and is must reading for all crit-theory heads wondering what the hell has been going on in South Korean society in the past few decades--especially on the big screen, which has been dominated by brooding, raging men for quite some time now.