Witness to War: Korea [Mass Market Paperback]

Rod Paschall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995 | Series: Witness to War

From the post-World War II division to the first Soviet-American political argument, from the June 1950 invasion to the truce talks, this oral history of the Korean War presents the story of the conflict in the words of those who fought it. A running timeline of events provides a chronological context for the materials, including seven maps and 20 never-before-published photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Paschall's history of the Korean War is of modest dimensions (and, therefore, selective coverage) but of high quality. Paschall of necessity views the conflict from the perspective of the half-century since its end. That half-century included the end of the cold war, an event which allows him to place the "forgotten war" in Korea in context as an early and necessary victory for the opponents of Communism. Paschall's narrative is straightforward, and his analyses of such issues as those involving the POWs of both sides and that of the role of MacArthur (who emerges as a superb strategist who lacked any political judgment worth mentioning) are brief but sound. On the whole, Paschall provides one of the best introductions to the Korean War in quite a while. His effort definitely deserves to be in any modern history or military history collection. Roland Green

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1st edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399519343
• ISBN-13: 978-0399519345
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,211,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars List Division and/or regiments in reviews, February 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Witness to War: Korea (Mass Market Paperback)

It would be helpful if the reviews of war history books noted which military outfits are covered, since many would like to read about a particular outfit.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Paschalls' witnesses don't give very gripping testimony....., September 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Witness to War: Korea (Mass Market Paperback)

I like Paschall's book, but I wish I could like it more. The author, a retired Army Colonel, 'was schooled by Vets of the Korean War.' He tweaked my interest immediately when he said the book was the 'story of the war in the words who fought it.'

Well, the author frequently quotes other texts or reports verbatim, but that is not the same as first person. Quoting an army cameraman who got a 'lulu of a shot' provides a pretty pale rendition of the Inchon landing! During Knox's account of the Chosin disaster I shivered with cold. (by the way, I was cold. My quarters were brutally air conditioned) Paschall's 'firsthand' accounts are sterile and dull.

The author does a good job showing how Matt Ridgway turned around an army dispirited and reluctant to engage the enemy. Ridgway states the case for a limited war in Korea in very cogent terms: the US had other responsibilities and military limitations of its own.
The story of the rescues of the 7th infantry, and the 23rd RCT [Task Force Crombez, for you Korea buffs] are gripping accounts of action under fire. But his pallid interview with a few NK POW's describing how they evaded US airstrikes is weak and incomplete. The North Koreans did a heck of a lot more than just walk, wear white, and scatter to the hills when they heard US aircraft!

It is amusing to hear General Spike Momyer say Americans could not 'follow [MiGs] into Chinese air space' in hot pursuit, when it was done constantly after April 1952. If you want to read about cat-and-mouse games between MiGs and F-86 Sabres, read No Kum Sok's book: A MiG15 to Freedom. On the other hand, Paschall's description of how the North Koreans used their rugged terrain to neutralize American advantage in armor and airpower is good [although the officer who is being quoted is never revealed in the text] .
Secretary of State Atcheson's summary of negotiation issues is scattered and incomplete (then again, so was Atcheson). You'd be much better off reading Turner Joy's firsthand account of the Panmunjom negotiations.

Paschall needs to realize that very often a historical issue has to be well explained and developed, or it is best not treated at all. Much the same criticism can be made for the Paschall's treatment of the repatriation issue: you may as well turn to Joy's book. Paschall is much better when he discusses issues other authors have not covered much, such as how General Clark's improved ROK army demonstrated its mettle at the Battle for White Horse. So is his description of the final hours on the lines before the truce became effective at 10 PM local time.

The final chapter is the best part of the book. His discussion of post Korean War military doctrine: limited war, massive retaliation, flexible response; is superb. It is ironic that Paschall, for all his claims that this book is a 'firsthand account of the war from those who lived it,' is at his best when writing in his own words. Even here, though, there is room for improvement. His claim that 'beyond doubt a prime reason for the poverty of NK is its bloated military establishment' could be right out of Jane Fonda's playbook. Like most analysts, the author equates natural resources with wealth. If that was the case, Africa and Siberia would be the worlds economic superpowers. It is economic and political freedom (Hong Kong, The US and Canada, Europe and Australia) which leads to economic growth and prosperity.

But I don't mind military guys taking a stab at economics. After all...I take stabs at military analysis all the time