Format: PaperbackChange
Price:$11.49+ Free shipping with Amazon Prime
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on March 6, 2016
The brotherhood or esprit de corps in the USMC is something that can only be appreciated by serving in the Corp during battle. Excellent infantry training, loyalty to brothers, a stubborn but steadfast commitment to get the job done. All these are apparent, yet again, in the description of a marine unit faced with impossible odds (elements as well as a determined foe). None of us readers, unless undergoing the same experience, can really conceive the pain of dwelling in a foxhole during a blizzard at sub-zero temperatures and then asked to do battle at the same time; this book, however, does an excellent job in its portrayal of the conditions - I could almost imagine it. The toys and trials of the relief column are really outstanding; I mean the navigation at night in mountain terrain, at night, in a blizzard, leading an entire foot battalion? Man, this goes beyond bravery and commitment, this is downright professionalism at its peak! Frequent maps allowed a feeling of the terrain; they could be better - but sufficient.
Fox holds the critical choke point to allow the surrounded US Marines from Chosin Reservoir to “advance in another direction”.
on April 19, 2017
A true story and grand slice of US Marine history recounting the duty, heroism, persistence and courage of a relatively small band of men in Fox Company who hold off an overwhelming number of Red Chinese in bitterly cold North Korean weather where weapons froze and grenades failed to trigger. Uncommon valor kept open an area that might otherwise been a killing ground for thousands of US Marines headed south toward safety and evacuation. An incredible slice of Marine history, told in the vernacular of the US Marines and well worth the read.
on September 6, 2017
It was hard to stop reading this book once I started it. Truly amazing how these Fox Company marines kept the road open for retreating Army and Marines. The sheer guts it took just to survive in the freezing temperatures, constant snow, and digging Fox holes in the frozen ground not counting the overwhelming Chinese forces they fought. This book should be required reading in history classes showing the sacrifice, tenacity, and courage of our Marine Corps. Thankfully, we have people like these protecting our country and freedoms.
on August 1, 2017
Here is proof that the truth is better than fiction. Drury and Clavin talked to the amazing men who fought and survived on this desolate chunk of ground and weave their stories into a gripping narrative of courage and endurance. When it's all over you may want to take a road trip to spit on MacArthur's grave, but you will want to finish the book first. The authors include follow-up with the men who still gather for reunions.
on July 30, 2017
Great story of men who did what was assigned of them and ultimately it was a key piece of the plan to evaluate the Chosin reservoir. These men did things for their fellow Marines/soldiers that the rest of us can only hope that if it was us in that position that we could perform at least half of what they accomplished. If you think your a bad ass, the story about the men of Fox company will humble you pretty quickly.
on April 14, 2017
The only military history I know of that provides accurate maps and descriptions of movements of units. First rate interviews of participants; original material, not a rewrite of a rewrite. Only fault is the confusing use of flashback in the begiinning. I wish writers knew that the story is what happened chronologically, the plot is how you tell the story. The use of flashback is a part of a writer's choice as to how to tell the story. Flashbacks should be barred unless the writer know how to clearly signal what happened when and not risk mixing them up. That aside, a really valuable book.
on March 6, 2017
Amazing story of Marine Valor in a pretty much forgotten war. Images of what these young men went thru and the hardships they were able to endure are truly beyond the comprehension of almost all of us.. Read it asap....
on July 14, 2014
Review of The Last Stand of Fox Company By Alfred Wellnitz
Authors; Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
The Last Stand of Fox Company was read and reviewed by a book club I belong to. During the review we had a member of Fox Company present who participated in the battle described in The Last Stand of Fox Company. My review reflects both the reading of the book and the Fox Company veteran's memories of the battle.
The book begins as the Marine 7th Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Division moves inland after landing at Wonsan, North Korea. Other than a clash at Sudong Gorge the marines did not encounter resistance as it moved up a single primitive mountain road in an advance toward the Yalu River. The war with North Korea had been considered over except for some mopping up by the MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo. The marines advancing into the mountains weren't so sure. There were persistent rumors and signs of Chinese during the advance. North Korean natives said there were many Chinese in the vicinity of the advance. The soldiers encountered at Sudong were identified as Chinese. The presence of the Chinese was ignored or discounted by the Tokyo headquarters. The marines continued the advance into the mountains seventy eight miles and reached a hamlet called Yudam-ni. The road going to Yudam-ni went through Taktong Pass, a narrow twisting path cut through high mountains. Fox Company with 234 men was dropped off to guard Toktong Pass as the 7th Regiment passed through. Fox Company came under attack almost immediately after taking up positions at Toktong Pass. At the same time the marines that had reached Yudam-ni came under a massive attack as the Chinese sprung the trap they had set to destroy the 1st Marine Division. During four nights and five days Fox Company withstood attack after attack by battalions of enemy soldiers. Three quarters of the Fox Company marines were killed, wounded or captured before they were relieved by a daring overland rescue mission. Three Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded and the Fox Company stand is considered one of the signature Marine Corps actions in the twentieth Century. These were Belleau Wood during World War I, Iwo Jima during World War II, Khe San during Vietnam and Fox Hill.
The Last Stand of Fox Company book describes the Fox Hill battle in part by describing the actions of about two dozen officers and men that participated in the battle. The narrator intersperses this information with descriptions of higher level actions on the company and battalion level and with overall battle strategy by the enemy and marine forces. The reader will not become attached to any of the these battle participants as the narrative jumps from one individual to another or to some higher level action without going to any depth on any part of the action. The technique provides a realistic battle experience where each individual involved sees the battle from a different perspective and fights the war he sees. Sometimes the jump from one action to anther is jarring and it takes a moment to become reoriented. That said the story held my attention. The books descriptions of the ferocity of the fighting, and the terrible cold weather and its effect on everything were excellent.
During the book club review the Fox Company veteran pointed out some instances where his memory of events differed from the books description. Sixty year old memories can vary so who knows what the facts are. The book picked up on a number of the Chosen Reservoir clichés, including the Fox Company forming up and singing the marine anthem when they came into Hagaru and getting a small dick out of multiple layers of cloths. Every story about the Chosen Reservoir seems to include those tidbits. This brings into question non-fiction based on the sixty year old memories of a number of individuals and an assist by the author's imagination. Maybe it should be labeled an enhanced true story. In any case the book is assumed to be non-fiction and certainly the battle was very real.
One thing the The Last Stand of Fox Company does do is help make people more aware of the history of the Korean War. The Korean War is called the forgotten war. This book will help keep the memory of that war alive.
Authors; Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
The Last Stand of Fox Company was read and reviewed by a book club I belong to. During the review we had a member of Fox Company present who participated in the battle described in The Last Stand of Fox Company. My review reflects both the reading of the book and the Fox Company veteran's memories of the battle.
The book begins as the Marine 7th Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Division moves inland after landing at Wonsan, North Korea. Other than a clash at Sudong Gorge the marines did not encounter resistance as it moved up a single primitive mountain road in an advance toward the Yalu River. The war with North Korea had been considered over except for some mopping up by the MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo. The marines advancing into the mountains weren't so sure. There were persistent rumors and signs of Chinese during the advance. North Korean natives said there were many Chinese in the vicinity of the advance. The soldiers encountered at Sudong were identified as Chinese. The presence of the Chinese was ignored or discounted by the Tokyo headquarters. The marines continued the advance into the mountains seventy eight miles and reached a hamlet called Yudam-ni. The road going to Yudam-ni went through Taktong Pass, a narrow twisting path cut through high mountains. Fox Company with 234 men was dropped off to guard Toktong Pass as the 7th Regiment passed through. Fox Company came under attack almost immediately after taking up positions at Toktong Pass. At the same time the marines that had reached Yudam-ni came under a massive attack as the Chinese sprung the trap they had set to destroy the 1st Marine Division. During four nights and five days Fox Company withstood attack after attack by battalions of enemy soldiers. Three quarters of the Fox Company marines were killed, wounded or captured before they were relieved by a daring overland rescue mission. Three Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded and the Fox Company stand is considered one of the signature Marine Corps actions in the twentieth Century. These were Belleau Wood during World War I, Iwo Jima during World War II, Khe San during Vietnam and Fox Hill.
The Last Stand of Fox Company book describes the Fox Hill battle in part by describing the actions of about two dozen officers and men that participated in the battle. The narrator intersperses this information with descriptions of higher level actions on the company and battalion level and with overall battle strategy by the enemy and marine forces. The reader will not become attached to any of the these battle participants as the narrative jumps from one individual to another or to some higher level action without going to any depth on any part of the action. The technique provides a realistic battle experience where each individual involved sees the battle from a different perspective and fights the war he sees. Sometimes the jump from one action to anther is jarring and it takes a moment to become reoriented. That said the story held my attention. The books descriptions of the ferocity of the fighting, and the terrible cold weather and its effect on everything were excellent.
During the book club review the Fox Company veteran pointed out some instances where his memory of events differed from the books description. Sixty year old memories can vary so who knows what the facts are. The book picked up on a number of the Chosen Reservoir clichés, including the Fox Company forming up and singing the marine anthem when they came into Hagaru and getting a small dick out of multiple layers of cloths. Every story about the Chosen Reservoir seems to include those tidbits. This brings into question non-fiction based on the sixty year old memories of a number of individuals and an assist by the author's imagination. Maybe it should be labeled an enhanced true story. In any case the book is assumed to be non-fiction and certainly the battle was very real.
One thing the The Last Stand of Fox Company does do is help make people more aware of the history of the Korean War. The Korean War is called the forgotten war. This book will help keep the memory of that war alive.
on August 5, 2017
My knowledge of Korean war was limited to 3 things: history books, shell shocked man rambling frequently through the student union building of college years, and second stories of family. My father was a marine in the south Pacific. This account strives honestly to give an honest telling of this terrible battle. The battle not only of WAR but also survival of the elements. The reader is cold just reading the intensity. God Bless those who serve.
