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on August 18, 2017
Extremely well written. Puts one right there. The Korean War is not covered well in our "taught" history. My father did not speak much of his time in Korea during the war, so I've been reading up on that conflict. A must read for anyone that wants to know more about that time in history.
on January 19, 2017
First of all, I will review the edition. Like any Penguin Classic it is sturdy and holds up well, despite being a paperback. My first order came with a badly bent cover but Amazon replaced it free of charge.
Mr. Russ's story reads like an epic, except an epic where every occurrence is hard historical fact. Most non-fiction books are an incredibly difficult read, listing endless troop numbers and regiment labels until the most incredible events of human history are mind-numbingly dull. Mr. Russ manages to avoid most of this by telling the story through the eyes of the men who lived it. After first explaining the battle officially, he switches to an interview of a soldier describing what his experience was in the line of duty. It is one thing to read that several thousand Chinese soldiers attacked the Marine entrenchments, it is quite another to read a Marine tell his harrowing experience of having a seemingly endless enemy charge at him in the middle of the night.
I was not very familiar with the Korean War before reading this book, and it does not cover the entire war either. However, it does provide enough information to understand the larger situation, so you may realize how hopeless the Chosin campaign seemed to the world at the time. It is definitely an excellent source about the campaign, and the author sources several more academic histories if you are interested in learning more. My only complaint was that Mr. Russ had a very obvious bias against the US Army. Although their performance was poor, and the Marines despised them, there are several times throughout the book when you may notice a very strong dislike from the author. That being said, these moments are few, and overall I consider this to be an excellent book both for its storytelling and its history.
Mr. Russ's story reads like an epic, except an epic where every occurrence is hard historical fact. Most non-fiction books are an incredibly difficult read, listing endless troop numbers and regiment labels until the most incredible events of human history are mind-numbingly dull. Mr. Russ manages to avoid most of this by telling the story through the eyes of the men who lived it. After first explaining the battle officially, he switches to an interview of a soldier describing what his experience was in the line of duty. It is one thing to read that several thousand Chinese soldiers attacked the Marine entrenchments, it is quite another to read a Marine tell his harrowing experience of having a seemingly endless enemy charge at him in the middle of the night.
I was not very familiar with the Korean War before reading this book, and it does not cover the entire war either. However, it does provide enough information to understand the larger situation, so you may realize how hopeless the Chosin campaign seemed to the world at the time. It is definitely an excellent source about the campaign, and the author sources several more academic histories if you are interested in learning more. My only complaint was that Mr. Russ had a very obvious bias against the US Army. Although their performance was poor, and the Marines despised them, there are several times throughout the book when you may notice a very strong dislike from the author. That being said, these moments are few, and overall I consider this to be an excellent book both for its storytelling and its history.
on June 22, 2014
I enjoyed the first person descriptions of the action because they added humanistic realism. The narrative was clear and well organized making the book easy to understand The only negative criticism I have of the book is that all Marines are heroes, afraid of nothing. What makes a soldier a hero is mustering the will to move forward toward the enemy when you know there is a good chance you might die a painful death or be horribly maimed. I would have liked to read the account of those Marines too. At least one or two those fearless Marines must have had their stomachs twisted in knots. Overall though it was a supremely heroic effort by the Marines, one to be very proud of. An orderly retreat when being attacked by the enemy at the same time is among the most difficult maneuvers.
on December 7, 2009
OK, so you think you have it tough? read about these Marines! you will be cold, tired, hungry, sad, dirty, and amazed when you're finished reading this book. you will have a new respect for what many many went through in this forgotten war; both civilian and military, American and non-American. these are largely first-hand accounts by Marines, soldiers, and airmen that were present for the Chosin Resevoir Campaign of 1950. the brutal truth of day-to-day living for these men could nearly be measured in two frames; daytime and nighttime. during the day, if you weren't killed by an enemy sniper or didn't freeze to death, you would attempt to keep warm around a fire or catch up on sleep that you didn't get at night, or maybe even eat. at night, like clockwork at 2am, the enemy bugles and horns would sound off and as many as 500 to 1,000 enemy would rush the lines in waves, forcing you to defend yourself with frozen equipment that would jam up. many of your friends would be killed before your eyes, and the odds were that you yourself would be killed or wounded in one or many of the following ways: a.) an enemy grenade going off next to your head, b.) enemy burp gun fire that would spray your direction constantly, c.) the butt of a an enemy rifle upside your head, d.) friendly fire, or possibly e.) getting wounded by one of the above, falling back into your foxhole, and praying that someone could help you before you freeze to death. if you don't already have an enormous amount of respect for the armed services of the USA, you surely will after reading this astounding piece of history.
on April 20, 2017
Good description of the Korea Marines action...
on May 17, 2014
As a Marine Corps combat veteran and an author of four books about Marines in battle myself, I yield to the vastly superior storytelling of Maritin Russ in this gripping account of the 1st Marine Division's breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in 1950. i rank this book in the top five percent of the best war stories ever told. Russ, who is also a Marine Corps combat veteran, takes us down to the individual Marine level, while at the same time framing the story in the overall struggle of the 1st Marine Division as it fought its way to freedom through a vastly superior Chinese communist force. Recommended for anyone who is interested in men in battle.
on August 26, 2017
Needs better pictures of the major events such as the treadway bridge installation and the railroad trestle removal etc.
on February 22, 2016
A rivitting day by day report on the U.S. Marine's escape from the trap the Chinese had set for them in the Chosin Reservoir area of northern Korea.. Heroism was a daily-happening.among the Marines. And the leadership provided by General Oliver Smith paved the way for their escape at a time when U.S.Army soldiers to the west were being led into captivity. Truly, this is a gripping account of a legendary battle
on July 7, 2015
Quite simply, the best book ever written on the subject of one of the most important and challenging campaigns of the Korean War, and a defining moment in the history of the United States Marine Corps. The first-hand interview technique used by the author was completely successful and drove the story forward. I literally could not put this book down until the clock told me each night that it was time for bed.
An unforgettable read.
An unforgettable read.
