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The Korean War

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The Korean War

By: Max Hastings
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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It was the first war we could not win. At no other time since World War II have two superpowers met in battle. Max Hastings, preeminent military historian, takes us back to the bloody, bitter struggle to restore South Korean independence after the Communist invasion of June 1950.

Using personal accounts from interviews with more than 200 vets, including the Chinese, Hastings follows real officers and soldiers through the battles. He brilliantly captures the Cold War crisis at home, the strategies and politics of Truman, Acheson, Marshall, MacArthur, Ridgway, and Bradley, and shows what we should have learned in the war that was the prelude to Vietnam.

©1987 Roma Data (P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks Korean War Military Wars & Conflicts War Imperial Japan China Russia Inspiring Vietnam War Imperialism Self-Determination Soviet Union Socialism Cold War

Critic reviews

"Must reading for any American who wants to understand one of the watershed events of the post-World War II period." (Richard M. Nixon)
"Rings true and will surely stand the test of time....Max Hastings has no peer as a writer of battlefield history." (Stephen E. Ambrose)
Comprehensive Historical Account • Balanced Perspective • Dignified British Voice • Personal Recollections
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I really loved this book! The author did a great job of being balanced in his presentation, not from the political side, but in giving just the right amount of detail, but not too much to overwhelm you.

Before reading this, I only knew that the two Koreas had a "civil" war in the 50's. I had no idea of what precipated this or how the war progressed.

This book really filled in the blanks for me and was a real pleasure to read.

Well done!

Fantastic - Good Balance!

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Excellent book. Well told. Interesting because of the lessons that we did not learn and also the narrative which includes personal statements by those involved. What ever criticisms we may have had all of the handling of the war, looking back now it was one of whom is great accomplishments only clouded by his inability to rain inMacArthur ." Our mission was to stop communist aggression and not to do the same by proceeding to the Yalu river. This was done at great cost to the lives of many soldiers and civilians. But on balance. A good varmint of war which is not always rational, if ever.

Those who don't learn from their experience are doomed to repeat it

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I should have known… I’ve read a couple other Hasting books and for whatever reason, his writings don’t resonate with me. I was hoping this time would be different, but no. The Korean War isn’t one of the conflicts I knew a lot about and sadly, after listening to this.. my ignorance continues.

A good account but not my cup of tea

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The book is well written and does a great job of telling the story of this forgotten war. Hastings doesn't pull any punches with either the Americans or North Koreans.

The narrator, though, is appalling. It took me some time and a second opinion to decide if it's a man or woman reading. His accent is the worst preening combination of public school English and East Coast prep school lock-jaw. He could hold an American accent for about one phrase before falling back into his own accent. His attempts to impersonate Koreans speaking English sound like Grade B Hollywood Gestapo agents rather than any Korean's I know.

Buy it for the book, not the narration.

Book Great, Narration Atrocious

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It is very difficult to provide even handed and culturally sensitive account to Korean war, I think Hasting did an admirable job, the narrative has clarity, but I think if the book was shorter, the book would have been more compelling. The narrator is very good, he definitely enhanced the experience with mimmicking accents. Recommended for undergraduates level.

An almost even handed account.

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This book gives a comprehensive review of this little known war from all points of view.

Excellent Review

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I love everything Max Hastings writes, and this is no exception. He is fair to all sides, but still draws important points.

Fantastic history

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I'm conditioned to Hasting's works be exhaustive and thorough. I'm not disappointed in what he said, but in what he didn't. He gave the Naval services short shrift, and while decrying lack of tactical CAS on the part of USAF, he only mentioned in passing the critical CAS on the part of Navy and Marine units, and completely ignored Naval Gunfire, it's use and misuse. And while he did talk about the army's aversion to special operations, there was no mention of the numerous raiding parties put ashore behind enemy lines by both USN and RN. Last chapters sounded more like a summary of notes made for chapters not written, like was the war winnable, how was winning to be defined, why did US make the same mistakes in Vietnam they made in Korea--with same effect (and made in Iraq and Afghanistan too)? The narration was great, just the right mixture of British superciliosness and amazement that everything turned out as well as it did--all things considered. I wouldn't recommend this for the beginner, T.R. Fehrenbach's This Kind of War is the seminal work, everything else is just texture. what Hasting's did say was excellent, but a lot could have used more context and I couldn't help feeling he was pulling his punches and being way too tactful on his American cousins!

Somewhat disappointed!

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Loved the story and writing style. Unfortunately the reader's voice would suddenly change volume or sound quality a great many times throughout the audio book, and it was a bit jarring each time.

Excellent book, inconsistent sound

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Step back in time and immerse yourself in the riveting historical journey of "The Korean War" by Max Hastings. This poignant book transports you to the heart of the Korean peninsula, where brave men fought and sacrificed during one of the most pivotal conflicts of the 20th century. "The Korean War" is not just a tale of battles and strategies; it's an ode to the unwavering spirit of the soldiers who endured unimaginable hardships and emerged as heroes.
Hastings' meticulous research and attention to detail bring to life the vast panorama of the Korean War. In these pages you'll witness the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative effortlessly weaves together personal accounts, strategic maneuvers, and historical context, creating a comprehensive and engrossing read.
As you accompany these forgotten heroes on their harrowing journey, you'll gain a profound appreciation for their sacrifices. "The Korean War" is a testament to their bravery, their unwavering commitment to freedom, and the enduring impact of their service.

A Poignant Journey Through History and Heroism

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