- Paperback: 427 pages
- Publisher: Pan; 3 edition (7 Jan 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330392883
- ISBN-13: 978-0330392884
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 293,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
The Korean War (Pan Military Classics)
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Review
Drew Middleton "The New York Times" Admirable...penetrating.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
From one of Britain's most respected and popular historians comes 'the best narrative history of the Korean conflict' (Guardian)
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First Sentence
Seldom in the course of history has a nation been so rapidly propelled from obscurity to a central place in the world's affairs as Korea. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Seldom in the course of history has a nation been so rapidly propelled from obscurity to a central place in the world's affairs as Korea. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is an excellent account of a war the West has forgotten about.The battle accounts are well written and use many eyewitnesses,but it's real strengh is in the way it tries to examine the reasons for the war and the lessons we didn't learn without trying to make political points scoring,the writer recognises the essential rightness of the UN cause while not flinching from the faults of the South Korean regime.There is a sense of tragedy about the way it is shown that so many of the American policies were dress rehearsals for the Vietnam war,and a sense of outrage at the poor leadership and performance of many aspects of the UN intervention in the first year of the war.Recommended.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Korean War is to some extent an overlooked war considering its importance and scale. This might be because it was the last big war before widespread television or because the result was inconclusive or because coming so soon after the Second World War it was simply eclipsed. Max Hastings sets out to redress the balance in this work about the confrontation between the USA and its Western Allies versus China and North Korea.
The book can essentially be divided into three parts. First of all is an account of the events that ultimately led up to war starting with the Japanese invasion back in the late 19th century. The second part is a chronological narrative of the military conflict itself, this takes up the bulk of the book obviously. Finally Hastings analysis specific aspects of the war, such as the impact of air power, intelligence and the treatment of prisoners by both sides. Most of the primary research is derived from interviews with survivors so the story is told through the eyes of soldiers, officers and civilians from many countries with illuminating anecdotes breaking up the straightforward recitation of events.
The war itself appears almost a morality tale about hubris. Although it ultimately ended in a stalemate both sides squandered opportunities to settle on far more favourable terms than they eventually got. After the sneak attack by North Korea almost succeeded in taking the whole peninsula the American led UN force rallied strongly and pushed the communists out of South Korea and deep into the North. Had MacArthur not tried to go for total victory then China would not have been sufficiently concerned to enter the war. This precipitated a panicky retreat by the American army (though the Marines were much more disciplined), all the way back down the peninsula. Here China failed to use it's advantage to secure a diplomatic victory and tried to rout the UN from Korea, but the UN again regrouped under a new General, Matthew Ridgway and drove the Chinese back over the 38th parallell. This time much to the dismay of the US officers, Washington decided against going for a total victory and sought a truce based on the status quo. Achieving the status quo cost the lives of over 30000 UN troops, hundreds of thousands of Korean civilians and hundreds of thousands if not millions of North Korean and Chinese soldiers.
In 2008 the Iraq war commands public attention despite being a relatively small war, yet at the time the Korean War attracted surprisingly little attention in the West apart from frustration and confusion about why they were fighting to support an impoverished hell hole governed by the corrupt and brutal Syngman Rhee. From a contemporary prospective it is not hard to see why the War was seen as a squalid and pointless stalemate that should never have been fought. With the benefit of almost 60 years of hindsight though, where we can see the difference between the free and prosperous South and the horrific North the cause is much clearer. It signaled that the West was willing to fight overt aggression by the Communists and it helped sow discord between the two Communist powers of China and the USSR.
The book can essentially be divided into three parts. First of all is an account of the events that ultimately led up to war starting with the Japanese invasion back in the late 19th century. The second part is a chronological narrative of the military conflict itself, this takes up the bulk of the book obviously. Finally Hastings analysis specific aspects of the war, such as the impact of air power, intelligence and the treatment of prisoners by both sides. Most of the primary research is derived from interviews with survivors so the story is told through the eyes of soldiers, officers and civilians from many countries with illuminating anecdotes breaking up the straightforward recitation of events.
The war itself appears almost a morality tale about hubris. Although it ultimately ended in a stalemate both sides squandered opportunities to settle on far more favourable terms than they eventually got. After the sneak attack by North Korea almost succeeded in taking the whole peninsula the American led UN force rallied strongly and pushed the communists out of South Korea and deep into the North. Had MacArthur not tried to go for total victory then China would not have been sufficiently concerned to enter the war. This precipitated a panicky retreat by the American army (though the Marines were much more disciplined), all the way back down the peninsula. Here China failed to use it's advantage to secure a diplomatic victory and tried to rout the UN from Korea, but the UN again regrouped under a new General, Matthew Ridgway and drove the Chinese back over the 38th parallell. This time much to the dismay of the US officers, Washington decided against going for a total victory and sought a truce based on the status quo. Achieving the status quo cost the lives of over 30000 UN troops, hundreds of thousands of Korean civilians and hundreds of thousands if not millions of North Korean and Chinese soldiers.
In 2008 the Iraq war commands public attention despite being a relatively small war, yet at the time the Korean War attracted surprisingly little attention in the West apart from frustration and confusion about why they were fighting to support an impoverished hell hole governed by the corrupt and brutal Syngman Rhee. From a contemporary prospective it is not hard to see why the War was seen as a squalid and pointless stalemate that should never have been fought. With the benefit of almost 60 years of hindsight though, where we can see the difference between the free and prosperous South and the horrific North the cause is much clearer. It signaled that the West was willing to fight overt aggression by the Communists and it helped sow discord between the two Communist powers of China and the USSR.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has it all, it describes all the nationalities that fought in the war. The reasons why it happened, what happen in the war and even what happened once peace returned.
It has a lot of information on the British and other European units that fought in the war (though it is pointed out that American?s defiantly supplied most of the troops).
It has a lot of information on the British and other European units that fought in the war (though it is pointed out that American?s defiantly supplied most of the troops).
Nothing in held back when describing some of the battles that took place, and the accounts of the battle on the Imjin by the Gloucester?s is breathtaking.
Its interesting to read this book as it points out a lot of the flaws that the great nations had at the time with fighting in the east. And why many European nations later on would not supply troops for the Vietnam war, even if they did understand what America was trying to do in Vietnam.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Korean War, by Max Hastings, at Amazon.co.uk
The book was originally edited in 1987 and has lost nothing of its ability to discuss the US politicians who were engaged in first instance with the korean war: the President,... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Vittorio De Alfaro
The Korean War - Max Hastings
The Korean War (Pan Military Classics)Another fine book by historian Max Hastings. This story shows all the flaws that have dogged American foreign policy since,or even before... Read more
Published 3 months ago by colin
The forgotten war
I had only a vague understanding of this war. I knew that there was fluctuating movement of troops up (North) and and down (South) and the conflict proved to be the demise... Read more
Published 4 months ago by DennisF
Free Flowing History
Having studied history at the university level I have read my fair share of historical works, ranging from the dire to those that I couldn't put down. Read more
Published 9 months ago by PauseForThought
Excellent account of this forgotten war
My knowledge of the Korean War has always been very limited, and like many people, mine has been slanted by the 1970s TV series MASH. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Simon Welch
The forgotten war remembered
This is an excellent overview of the "forgotten war". I bought it because my understanding of the war was hazy and it very good job of bringing home the realities of the conflict... Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Duducu
The Korean War by Max Hastings
An excellent read about this "forgotten war". The research has been exhaustive and anyone interested in military conflicts will find this book a first class research item.
Published 20 months ago by Harry Blair
The Forgotten War
The Korean War - Max Hastings
North Korea, for a while now, has intrigued & appalled me. I was just too young to remember the North Korean invasion of the South in June 1950. Read more
North Korea, for a while now, has intrigued & appalled me. I was just too young to remember the North Korean invasion of the South in June 1950. Read more
Published 20 months ago by J Wheeler
Book
the actual book was great. However it was for a birthday present and it didn't turn up in time.
Published 23 months ago by Ms. Lr Morris
A well written Book
I have always wanted to find out a little more about this war, and this book does tick all the boxes. Max Hastings is a first class writer, well worth the money, JW
Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Jorg Wheelan
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