About this title: Up until now, the Korean War has been the black hole of modern American history. "The Coldest Winter" changes that, giving readers a masterful narrative of the political decisions and miscalculations on both sides. He charts the disastrous path that led to the massive entry of Chinese forces near the Yalu, and that caught Douglas MacArthur and his soldiers by surprise. He provides astonishingly vivid and nuanced portraits of all the major figures - Eisenhower, Truman, Acheson, Kim, and Mao, and Generals MacArthur, Almond, and Ridgway. At the heart of the book are the individual stories of the ...
read more
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Fair. Purchasing this book supports the King County Library System Foundation. Thriftbooks and KCLSF have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. 0786888628 Fast Shipping. Cover torn, wrinkled, missing or book is otherwise damaged. Publishers Overstock. Customer service is our #1 priority. read more
Description: Very Good. 0786298324 **Hardcover**--Exact ISBN Match--**Ex-library book, with minimal markings** Cover has extremely minor shelf wear at tips of corners. No personalizations, writing or marks in the text. Clean, Tight and Neat. Ships Quickly-IN STOCK-Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780786888627ISBN:0786888628
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Near Fine, Uncreased spine, clean and unmarked with light edge/page wear. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 736 p. Audience: General/trade. Ships from US-NE. Support Independent Booksellers! Omahabooks offers same or next day shipping-satisfaction guaranteed. APO, International may require additional postage-contact seller. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Hyperion Books, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9781401300524ISBN:1401300529
Description: Very Good in Very Good jacket. The late David Halberstam brings to this history of the Korean War the same combination of research, analysis, and narrative skill he delivered in THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, his Pulitzer Prize-winning book on the Vietnam War. THE COLDEST WINTER chronicles the political and military missteps by the larger-than-life personalities, including General Douglas MacArthur, as he shows how their gross misunderstanding took the nation off-course and exacted a costly toll ... read more
Description: Good. Ex library copy with usual library markings. Slight curve to thick spine, and moderate edgewear to cover. Still a nice reading copy. Pages are clean, straight, & unmarked (except for libary stamps). C3a. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Hyperion, New York
Date Published: 2007
Description: Good in Good jacket. Ex-Library. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Stated First Edition; a few ex-library markings, otherwise clean, good binding, dust jacket is protected. read more
"This volume typifies the care with which the author develops his books. The start is the surprise appearance of Chinese troop at Unsam in October of 1950. Their vast numbers and surprise attack shredded American forces, which had advanced by then deep into North Korea. The discussion of the fighting is classic Halberstam, with a lot of veterans reporting their experiences here, with great detail to provide a sense of the confusion and chaos as the Chinese attacked. And, amazingly, General Douglas MacArthur proceeded as if all was well as the Chinese melted back into North Korea after the attack, no longer to be seen. The continuing march to the Yalu River, of course, was to have dire consequences for the American and Allied forces.
The book then examines the context for the outbreak of the Korean War, with a look at key actors--from MacArthur (no longer, apparently, at the top of his game), Mao Zedong, Kim Il Sung (the leader of North Korea), Syngman Rhee (the South Korean leader), Harry Truman, to Joseph Stalin. Many other characters are portrayed as well, such as Dean Acheson and George Kennan and Chiang Kai-shek. The depiction of these characters in the unfolding drama provides context, as does placement of Korea in the historical context of repression under the Japanese for much of the first half of the 20th century.
One example: the detailed discussion of Douglas MacArthur is not very flattering. But the description of his relationship with his father (a Civil War hero) and mother (a "stage mother" to her son's military career) and his need to always be right and to have control helps understand some of the decisions made early in the war. Many will doubtless be upset about this portrayal of the General, but it is one of those detailed descriptions for which Halberstanm is well known.
Then, the actual invasion of the South by the North in June, 1950 is laid out. The discussion includes the dawning realization in Japan (MacArthur's HQ) and Washington D. C. of what is happening "on the ground" and their military and political response. In great detail, the book considers the battlefield picture, including the surprise and effective counterattack by MacArthur's forces at Inchon, the rolling up of the North Koreans, and--then--the emergence of Chinese troops to turn the picture around once more--and finally, to the deadly stalemate near the line from which the war had begun.
Some of the more valuable aspects of the volume are the interviews by the author with surviving veterans. These data provide invaluable richness to the text and make the nature of the fighting come alive for the reader.
In short, another epic work from David Halberstam. He died shortly after completing the book in a car crash, so this represents his last major work. It represents the author still at the peak of his powers. A book well worth attending to."
"This is a magisterial treatment of the Korean war. It is well written, well researched, and spares no one in
pointing out judgmental errors. It also shows the
hardships endured and bravery demonstrated by those who had to fight the war. More, it describes the political uses made of the war by the politicians in Washington. Not only do I recommend this book, I have given it as a gift to others."
"This is a wonderful book on many levels. As a history of the Korean War, few can match it. As an overview of the start of the Cold War it is excellent. As a look at MacArthur it is unflinching. A man whose sense of his own greatness led to so many unnecessary American deaths.
The book also gives us a view at the birth of the Republican tactic that is still in use today. After losing to FDR for all those years and then even losing to Truman they were desperate for an issue. When China was "lost to the communists" the Republicans found as issue. They discovered that making almost insane claims of treason in the state department and even accusing the venerated General Marshall of communist sympathies, enough people bought it. They were able to gain traction and derail the Truman administration by spouting wild claims and fear mongering...Sound familiar? Death Panels anyone. Read this book and you will not only understand the importance of the Korean War but also gain some insight into today's politics."
"Not a blow by blow account of the war but rather a study of the major personalities that contributed to it, both American, South Korean, North Korean, and Chinese. He follows their strengths and weaknesses with glorious 20/20 hindsight that is a compelling read. I recall going to a class member's close by neighborhood home, on a class field trip, as they had the good fortune to own a television set. In fuzzy black and white, we watched Mac Arthur's "retirement" speech to Congress where he enshrined the words from an old army song, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away". I further the recall praying for the welfare of "our soldier boys" around Grandpa and Grandma's dining room table at their evening prayers. When the cease fire was accomplished, I was at a summer military school, Camp Culver, and we all celebrated accordingly, with a nine year old's enthusiasm, not really understanding the enormity of the situation. A fascinating read of the "forgotten war" and it's participants."
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
