Reviews (9)

The Battle for Pusan
Major Terry's personal account of his experience in the Korean "Police Action" put color into the black and white images A concise, moving story...
...that will, hopefully, serve to remind us of the committed men and women who fought and died during that awful "forgotten war" on that dirty little peninsula 50 years ago. As the child of a "Pusan Commando," I have often wondered about the war that my father was so reluctant to speak of.Mr. Terry vividly illustrates that war, and wastes no time writing eulogies or second-guessing the policies of the time. He tells of the events, and little more, in a concise manner reminiscent of Hemingway, with a down-home ease and matter-of-fact manner that is sure to drawn in the reader.This book is for the Korean War what THE LONGEST DAY was for WWII.A must read for anyone.

What if we didn't fly in Army troops and Pusan fell?
This first-hand account begs the ultimate question facing us today:Read more

Subjects:  1. Army.    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Campaigns    4. Field Artillery Battalion, 49th    5. General    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History: World    9. Korean War, 1950-1953    10. Military    11. Military - Korean War    12. Regimental histories    13. United States    14. United States.    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    16. Biography: general    17. History / Military / Korean War    18. Korea   

Reviews (2)

Insights into Mao's military thinking
Along with Jian Chen 1994 book on what drew Communist China into the Korean conflict, Prof. Zhang's book provides valuable insights on how Mao and the PLA "volunteer" army conducts its warfare against the much better equipped U.S. military.Red China paid a very high price to defend the North Koreans, and Prof. Chen explores the root motivation for this "sacrifice."Prof. Zhang's book focuses on the how of the war, from the Chinese view point.Working with previously classified Chinese documents, the book details how Mao and his military commanders (led by Peng Te-huai, who was purged three years after the Armstice) differed on the strategies and tactics, with Mao coming across as an incompetent bureaucrat who placed zero value on the lives of his soldiers.While there are many mistakes in this book concerning the movements of the U.S. forces (likely because Prof. Zhang is quoting from Chinese military memos -- but it would have been nice if he caught them and corrected them), this book is a must-read for every American who has not forgotten the Forgotten War and the hundreds of thousands of U.S. casualties.

A Marine who was there
Shu Guang Zhang provides an in depth perspective to the Chinese motivation for intervention in the Korean War, and a critical analysis of the strategy employed. Much can be learned of the battlefield strategy and politicalmachinations of this most formitable foe, including the tactics of both thebattlefield and the negotiation table. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1893-1976    2. 1946-1974    3. Asia - China    4. China    5. History - Military / War    6. History: World    7. Korean War, 1950-1953    8. Mao, Zedong,    9. Military - Korean War    10. Military History - Korea Conflict    11. Military leadership    12. Politics and government    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history    14. Biography: general    15. Central government policies    16. Korea    17. Mao, Zedong    18. War & defence operations    19. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (16)

A must-read on leadership
Col. Fox's memoir is as educational as it is entertaining. This is a must-read book on leadership, which drives home two essential principles: the leader must set the example and the leader must look out for the welfare of subordinates (which includes correcting them or even steering them into better paths, if they don't fit the Marine mold). And he does it in an entertaining style. It's rare to find someone with his experience who is also such a fine writer.
Pass this book on to others!
I gave "Marine Rifleman" to my 17-year-old son last week, not to have him again revisit my Marine Corps "era" through this terrific book, but to have him exposed to these thoughts:
One Marine's Amazing Journey Through the Ranks
Every Marine that has served can easily tell you about the types of people in the Corps.There are the people who do their job and are just waiting to get out, the less than desirable bottom "10%" and then guys like Wesly Fox: the super-hardcore, gungy types who eat and sleep Marine Corps and epitomize the professionalism and dedication of the modern warrior.Col. Fox spent 43 year in, making it to 1st Sergeant before being commissioned and ultimately obtaining his bird.Many field grade officers today remember him as the CO of OCS, and his reputation carries his name throughout the Corps, even today, a decade since his retirement.Gungy Marines only come along maybe once a year in a unit, and Marines like Foxonly come along once in a great while.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - General    5. Military - Korean War    6. Military - Other    7. Military - Vietnam War    8. Biography & Autobiography / Military    9. Naval forces & warfare    10. Special & elite forces    11. USA   

Reviews (1)

The Forgotten Heroes
A book such as Quiet Heroes is long overdue.It pays tribute to an easily forgotten group of quiet heroes, Navy Nurses, that quietly continue, even to this day, to provide dedicated care and comfort to our war casualties. Books are constantly written of the combat heroes, combat commanders,pilots, medal winners and even all their support personnel...until you cometo the one class of heroe no one remembers, the Navy Nurse.By Ms. Omorifocusing on the Navy Nurses of the Korean War (1950-1953) she captures anera on the brink of passing into our memories without tribute orrecognition.Wonderfully supplemented with actual photographs andinterviews of the quiet heroes themselves, the book pays that tribute longoverdue.A must read for anyone interested in our nation's history and theagony suffered during the Korean Conflict. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Korean War, 1950-1953    5. Medical care    6. Military - Korean War    7. Military - Naval    8. Military nursing    9. Navy Nurse Corps    10. Nursing - General    11. United States    12. United States.   

Reviews (1)

"You Are There", flying the F86 in Korea.
Osprey's author Warren Thompson has woven an excellent collection of candid and "formal" photos with historical information and personal stories to give the reader a real "I was there"experience.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - Korean War    6. Air forces & warfare    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    8. Battles & campaigns    9. China    10. History / Military / Aviation    11. Korea    12. USA    13. c 1945 to c 1960   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - History - Military / War    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. History - Military & Wars    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Korean War Veterans Memorial (    7. Korean War Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C.)    8. Korean War, 1950-1953    9. Military - Korean War    10. National monuments    11. United States    12. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

an exciting account of the withdrawl of the 1st Marine Divis
as with his previous books, Mr. leckie has created a personal, and down to earth look at one of the most heroic battles in history.mr. leckie brings the reader right into the foxholes of the men who refused to surrender to overwhelming forces in the frozen highlands of north korea.i believe it a must read for anyone who is a student of history, of gallentry, and a believer in honor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. General    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Korean War    5. Military - United States    6. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    7. China    8. History of specific subjects    9. USA    10. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - General    3. Military - Korean War   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - Korean War    3. United States - State & Local - South   

Subjects:  1. 1945-1953    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Korean War, 1950-1953    6. Military - Korean War    7. Military History - Korea Conflict    8. Politics and government    9. U.S. Foreign Relations    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century    12. United States - 20th Century/50s    13. War & Military    14. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    16. China    17. Korea    18. USA    19. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (7)

Classic Leckie

Excellent, fast paced overview
A great book to use for high school reading. In this day and age, it is probably good for the college student. A quick overviewof what has turned out to be a SUCCESS project in South Korea. That nation would not be here otherwise1 This by one who was there in 50 - 51 and then later in '68-69.

If you like your prose purple...
I found this book to be polemic as all get out. The monograph was a black and white portrayal of history told in a Cowboys and Indians style that was frustrating to read if the reader is looking for depth and ambiguity in the subject.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. History: World    5. Korean War, 1950-1953    6. Military - Korean War    7. History of specific subjects    8. International relations    9. Korea    10. War & defence operations    11. c 1945 to c 1960   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Korea    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - Korean War   

Reviews (4)

A Very Enjoyable Read
While not the most action-packed of submarine narratives, this is perhaps one of the best written of the bunch, and I found it hard to put down.In addition to the WWII patrols, descriptions of the snorkeling mechanism and procedures were interesting, as were the Korean War patrols.

Deceptive tactics.
Many naval officers write well, pehaps because they write many reports carefully to those who read carefully. This book is well written. Schratz's report on his corner of WWII and the occupation of Japan is worth reading. His take on the torpedo problem--and the solution he implemented at the edge of his orders--is unique. His report on certain incidents of command and loyalty add to those extant. His explanation on the possible cause of the Tonkin Gulf incident is worth the price of the book. This officer has understanding and insight. He's committed to making a contribution and leaving a legacy. But he doesn't express this directly, and this raises character as an issue. As a naval officer, he's efficient, effective, innovative and exacting. He knows that healthy organizations have fun, including shipboard organizations, so he plays hard, but doesn't let play stand in the way of work and is uncompromisingly severe on those who do. He knows the difference between a wartime navy and a peacetime navy, between bureaucratic tactics that get one promoted and what happens if one tries to use them in battle. He knows better than to use the same plan twice. His conscience makes him uncomfortable when action puts him on the wrong side of his values or when justice and regulations conflict. Basically, he favors thinking and acting "outside the box" whenever the box keeps him from carrying out his mission, broadly defined. He presents himself as a black sheep for doing so; and yet, read carefully, each of his forays into apparent undisciplined self-indulgence have the effect of producing pride, increasing morale, bonding shipmates together, and ultimately placing his superiors in a good light. What's odd is that he doesn't take credit for these as willful achievements, but invites us to treat them as unruly and undisciplined, as if initiative and command were antithetical. It's possible that he's unaware of his own character, but unlikely. What we have here is a man who doesn't want others to know who the inner man is and is willing to derogate himself so as to put others on the wrong track, all except those who love him for himself rather than for his role, to which he refuses to succumb--avoiding numbness. Far from being untypical of naval officers--whom he sees as conformist, he is typical of certain kind of non-conforming officer that American naval tradition produces in abundance: daring, resourceful, unwilling to let protocol inhibit effectiveness or survival, willing to work hard and play hard, willing to cut the Gordian Knot with pleasure. My guess is that, under his flash and feathers, the gentleman is as shy as a violinist. He'd be interesting to meet. If I'm right, he's already read enough comments about his book to wonder, out loud, whether anyone who commits memoirs to paper is a fool . . . while taking secret comfort in the fact that no one has found him out. Well, almost no one.

A great personal description of wartime in subs
Unlike the official histories of subs, which come directly from the patrol reports and talk almost exclusively about the captain, this book focuses on the personal side of life on a WWII diesel boat.The author was just a little too junior to be in command at the outbreak of war.He shows what it was like to be on a boat where the CO failed, and what people did to keep the boat going.His discussion of the people side of operating as well as his postwar experience in Japan is more forthright and blunt than many accounts.It doesn't hurt that the author is a "cowboy" CO--I remember seeing pictures of things he did when I was at school and an almost panicky reaction in the more sober and composed officers when confronted with outrageous up angles or special forces operations.The book is similar to "Baa Baa Black Sheep" in tone without the sad outcome that Pappy Boyington had to go through.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Korean War    5. Military - Naval    6. Military - World War II    7. Naval History - Korea Conflict    8. Naval History - World War II    9. Europe    10. European history: Second World War    11. Korea    12. Naval forces & warfare    13. Pacific Ocean    14. World history: Second World War    15. World history: postwar, from c 1945 -   

Reviews (11)

A very good read and interesting man as well
I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book at the Reno Air Races several years ago,when Mr. Kirkland was promoting his book there. The book itself is a good read; good enough that when I saw that he had a second book out I ordered it promptly.
An ace indeed
Tales of a War Pilot is about pilot Richard Kirkland who took me to islands near Japan. He flew treacherous rescue missions for the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.)in North Korea. The book includes stories like "Escape from the Stone Age" where a good friend of LT. Kirkland makes a critical mistake and is forced to bail out and survive alligators, malaria, and cannibals. Another memorable story,"Mystery of the MagnificentBeast," involved a huge Convair B-36 that disappears on Valentines Day with an A-bomb in its bay. This is not a history or true memoir
The billing for this book is very misleading especially the Smithsonian History of Avaiation Series title.It is historical fiction and not truly a memoir or a personal account. I don't doubt that the piece is generally accurate. Once fiction is injected, however, the reader never knows what is true and what is not. Nothing is mentioned in the description here or on the book jacket that this is the case. I wish I had my money back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerial Operations    2. Aerial operations, American    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Kirkland, Richard C    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - Korean War    10. Military - United States    11. Military - World War II    12. Military Personal Narratives    13. Personal narratives, American    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. 20th century    16. American history: Second World War    17. Aviation skills / piloting    18. Biography: historical    19. Military vehicles    20. USA   

Reviews (2)

From a safe place
Colonel Gole's latest work, "Soldiering" is an absolute delight to read. This book is full of humor and wit as the pages unfold to show us a contemporary life spent in service to ones country. Gole cleverly traces an historical thread of events through the medium of what he calls "zeitgiest"..a picture of what's happening in the big world and in his own world at that particular time. Of course, adventure courses in the veins of any career soldier, and the author provides the reader with ample exposure to heart pounding moments and violent death from his own experience as a snuffy in Korea and as a Special Forces officer in Vietnam. His vignettes which spring from a life in the Army will bring back fond memories for all who have served..and it will kindle in those who haven't a wish that they did.

Thank You Col. Gole
The profession of arms is a strange one. t simply asks that you be willing to go out and fight for your life with another man doing the same thing. And both of you are doing it for home, country and other nebulous things that are very hard to define.In recent times the opinion of the public has not held soldiers in high regard. I remember the stories of Chelsea Clinton insulting soldiers in the White House.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Korean War    6. Military - Vietnam War    7. Biography & Autobiography / Military    8. Biography: historical    9. USA    10. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - Korean War    6. Military - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Air forces & warfare    9. Battles & campaigns    10. History / Military / Aviation    11. Korea    12. Military vehicles    13. USA    14. World history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (3)

KOREA UNVEILED.
To a Coastie of the 90's this brought the "Forgotten War" of the sailor of the 50's to life.I enjoyed how it gave a little personnel insight to Mr. Alexander's life aboard the destroyer and also his personnel love letter's to his future wife.Then it gave a little Navy operations overview and finally an overview of the armed forces (i.e. Army and Marine) in the Korean War.I didn't realize that the destroyermen and those who manned the sweepers paid for their service in blood.I would have enjoyed more personnel stories from the sailors, but over all I enjoyed this story and have a new found respect for all Korean War veterans.I salute you all and thank you for your service and sacrifices for mine and my children.Thank you.

KOREA UNVEILED.
To a Coastie of the 90's this brought the "Forgotten War" of the sailor of the 50's to life.I enjoyed how it gave a little personnel insight to Mr. Alexander's life aboard the destroyer and also his personnel love letter's to his future wife.Then it gave a little Navy operations overview and finally an overview of the armed forces (i.e. Army and Marine) in the Korean War.I didn't realize that the destroyermen and those who manned the sweepers paid for their service in blood.I would have enjoyed more personnel stories from the sailors, but over all I enjoyed this story and have a new found respect for all Korean War veterans.I salute you all and thank you for your service and sacrifices for mine and my children.Thank you.

Brings back a lot memories to a tin can sailor in the KW
Very good description of life on a tin can during Korea.I was a radarman petty officer on the USS Eversole (DD789). Some flaws:I saw no "posh hotels" in Yokosuka; in fact, nothing posh in Japan at that time.Misspelled the Keyes from Desdiv 31.Accurate description of a tin can in a typhoon except I believe the descriptions of rolls in the high 50-degrees and up to 70 degrees exceed the design limits of a top-heavy Sumner.The worst I ever experienced was 47-degrees and we almost didn't come out of it.The "incident" that MacArthur was apparently trying to create off Swatow begs for verification.Have never read of the incident in any history of the war, including a book on the covert/intelligence side.Without giving a source for the information, the author is asking a lot of the reader.But I highly recommend the book for any tin can sailor in the Korean War. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1930-    2. Alexander, James Edwin,    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: American    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military - Korean War    8. Military - Naval    9. Military Personal Narratives    10. Naval History - Korea Conflict    11. Naval operations, American    12. Personal narratives, American    13. Alexander, James Edwin    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history    15. China   

Reviews (2)

A True Picture of War, and the real victims
Jimmie Joe does not write to entertain, he writes to tell exactly what War does to young men, and to those who live in War's path.If you can read this without tears, you must be from another planet!Every Vet who has seen action has vivid memories,this Vet not only describes the horror of war, but the rage and frustration that comes later when he learns of decsions that reveal betrayal and 'ego-trips' that caused many deaths.I pray that Jimmie Joe has finally obtained some Peace with the memories.

Jimmie Joe is a natural born author
Granted I have special interest in the subject of this book, my father was kia in Korean, so being a child of a man who died before seeing him, this book makes it easier for me to understand what happened and why, and I thank Jimmie Joe so very much for giving me this gift.Unless you don't have a heart, you will be crying when you read this book, but it's so worth it.Awesome book, great work Jimmie Joe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Family/Interpersonal Memoir    5. Military    6. Military - Korean War    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    9. Korea    10. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Army    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Korean War, 1950-1953    7. Military - Korean War    8. Military - United States    9. Pictorial works    10. Uniforms    11. United States    12. United States.    13. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. History / Military / Korean War    16. Korea    17. Land forces & warfare    18. USA    19. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (2)

Excellent!
Warren Thompson has done an excellent job both pictorally and verbally describing one of the lesser known but most effective weapons of the Korean War, The F-84 Thunderjet. I think the F-84's in Korea may have flown more sorties than any other type. I flew 55 missions in the F-84G, took one AA hit in the wing and it brought me home safely as it did many pilots. Since so many of our G models were given to NATO countries, this model which was the best of the straight wing models, can rarely be seen in a museum today in the U. S. I am buying two more books to send to both the small USAF detachment at Taegu Air Base and the 110th Korean Fighter Squadron for their history of the base which I recently visited after 48 years. ...

Excellent!
Osprey and author Warren Thompson have done it again!An excellent combination of sharp, vibrant color photos, historical narrative and personal stories makes the third in the "over Korea" series anexceptional book for any aviation or Korean War history buff.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military - Korean War    7. Military - World War II    8. Air forces & warfare    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    10. Battles & campaigns    11. History / Military / Aviation    12. Korea    13. Military vehicles    14. USA    15. c 1945 to c 1960