Military history is a very popular subject in our library - especially 20th century American military history. So it shouldn't be surprising to find out that we have over 20 books about World War I, over 50 books about the Vietnam war, and a whopping 225 books about World War II. What should be very surprising is that we have only 2 - yes, 2 - books about the Korean war. For some reason, this is not a popular topic with authors. However, we have just put out what might well become the definitive book on the Korean War.
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War is by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam. Completed just days before his untimely death in a car accident, The Coldest Winter covers military strategy, international diplomacy, Washington politics, battlefield accounts and two strong willed characters: President Harry S. Truman and General Douglas MacArthur. The book is extremely well researched, with plenty of maps and endnotes. For anyone who is well-versed in the events of the period or in military tactics in general, this book will be a welcome addition. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the details of the Korean War, Halberstam is such a good writer that the entire story will grip you and keep you interested until the end. And, in fact, there is no real end to this story. There is no peace treaty, no 'winners' and 'losers', no closure. The demilitarized zone still exists, there is still conflict between the two halves of the peninsula, and America is still closely involved - even to the extent of having troops stationed at the border. The consequences of the Korean War are still being felt today, and The Coldest Winter is a great way to learn more.
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War is by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam. Completed just days before his untimely death in a car accident, The Coldest Winter covers military strategy, international diplomacy, Washington politics, battlefield accounts and two strong willed characters: President Harry S. Truman and General Douglas MacArthur. The book is extremely well researched, with plenty of maps and endnotes. For anyone who is well-versed in the events of the period or in military tactics in general, this book will be a welcome addition. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the details of the Korean War, Halberstam is such a good writer that the entire story will grip you and keep you interested until the end. And, in fact, there is no real end to this story. There is no peace treaty, no 'winners' and 'losers', no closure. The demilitarized zone still exists, there is still conflict between the two halves of the peninsula, and America is still closely involved - even to the extent of having troops stationed at the border. The consequences of the Korean War are still being felt today, and The Coldest Winter is a great way to learn more.
No comments:
Post a Comment