The Korean War was the first “hot spot” in the Cold War between the Soviet Union and America. It was a back and forth see-saw that ended up exactly where it had started, the only changes being the casualties suffered and the ravages across the countryside. It increased tensions between The USSR and the west, and almost became a wider conflict. When China entered the war, it took America threatening to use nuclear weapons to make them back out. It was a war that could of (and should of) been avoided, yet it was a war that had to be. And people everywhere would do well to learn from it, as there is the possibility for a sequel of sorts. The North Korean leadership is pushing brinkmanship with the rest of the world because of its nuclear weapons program. In the interest of furthering understanding of the conflict, I am recommending the following five books to the reader.
Conflict:
The History of The Korean War 1950-1953
By Robert Leckie
Is a crisply written book, never bogging down too much with statistics, yet keeping the reader informed with a wealth of information. The Army Times called it “The best history of the Korean War.” It keeps the interest of both the avid history fan and the lay person, letting each take away a more thorough understanding of the War through the eyes of the common GI and the field commander. The text is a little less ambiguous than I would like, sometimes trending too far toward a “Cowboy America” perspective, but it is a worthy read. It gives a feel to what it must have been like to be a soldier fighting for the same hill for the third time in the bitter cold. It covers all the major battles and many lesser ones, and it gives a perspective to the MacArthur firing.
It can be found under ISBN number 0-306-80716-5.
The Korean War:
An International History
By William Stueck
Another well written book, that gives a full international perspective to the reader. In the book, he argues that the Korean War, although tragic in its own right, actually served to prevent a wider conflict in Europe, a WWIII. He suggests that the participant nations of the U.N. force had a stemming influence on both the Soviet Union and America. It is very well researched and gives a large-scale view. For the serious student of the conflict there isn’t a better source book. The wide scope differs from the narrow view from the “eye of the G.I.” that some prefer. The maps that accompany the text are very helpful. All, in all, a great book to read for anyone interested in the Korean War and how it shaped the rest of the Cold War.
Its ISBN number is 0-691-03767-1.
Rethinking the Korean War:
A New Diplomatic and Strategic History
By William Stueck
A recent follow-up to his earlier work mentioned above, it purports to tell the story of the Korean War from the prism of a modern eye. It takes a broader look at what led up to the war, and gives the reader an even more thorough analysis. Again, a solid read for the person looking to see the big picture in a very well researched way. It gives the “second look” that a follow-up book can offer. With new information from United States, Chinese, and former Soviet Union archives, he gives an expanded fresh look to the conflict. It helps shed light on the international realities of the War, and implications for now and the future in the region.
To find it, use ISBN number 0-691-11847-7.
On Hallowed Ground:
The Last Battle for Porkchop Hill
Bill McWilliams
The reader might recognize the name “Porkchop Hill” from the film starring Gregory Peck, based on the book written by S.L.A. Marshall, “Pork Chop Hill.” The book by Bill McWIlliams is more in depth, focusing in individual and unit challenges in the so-called “outpost war” that Porkchop was a part of. After the initial grand maneuvers, the conflict settled into the back and forth tug-of-war that was epitomized on Porkchop. The fear the bravery, the intensity, and the savagery are all captured. The compelling individual stories give the reader a sense of the actuality of being in war. A very good read for anyone who is a student of the history of the war, as well as someone just interested in compelling personal writing.
The ISBN number is 1-591-14480-9.
The Korean War
By Max Hastings
A book that gives a good feel of what it meant to be a soldier in the midst of the struggle. It takes Veteran interviews farther that many, including talking to Chinese Vets. He also calls it the first war that America could not win. He captures the heart of the soldier in the more than 200 interviews, and lends a sense to that “unwinnable” feeling. He gives the reader all the required background information too, so that you aren’t left swimming in the details without knowing the sources. It is another good read for anyone wanting to get an insiders feeling for the war. Hastings also examines the politics of the time, looking at at the strategies and policies.
The ISBN number for this one is 0-671-66834-x
Of course, I would be foolish to try to say that I know the best five books about the Korean War, when so many have been written. What I have tried to do is to give the reader some ideas. The Korean War has always drawn an interest from me, as my father fought in it. And as someone who is interested in the history of the Cold War and the Soviet Union, it also strikes a chord with me. I urge anyone not familiar with the Korean War, its beginnings, its aftermath, and its relative importance to today to find out more. It really was a critical time in the 20th Century. It more than likely help keep the United States and The Soviet Union from a “hot” war. Read up!
