The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War

It's a tragedy that Halberstam died just prior to the publication of this book, and maybe he had a better book in him, but I kind of doubt it: this is truly magisterial in its description of battles and more importantly the men fighting them. No, it's not a complete account of the Korean War, but what it tells, it tells with great depth, nuance, and feeling. One of the greatest war books you'll ever read. A truly moving tribute to these forgotten warriors.

A thoughtful reader can appreciate good writing. Good writing can ofter make the most distasteful events take on a new meaning. There certainly was a lot of stumbling going on during the Korean war years and not all of them were made in the front lines. As matter of fact, errs of strategy and tactics often occurred due to the misuse of military intelligence at the highest levels.

A very well written book by Pulitzer writer David Halberstam. If you lived through the Korean War, you will be surprised at what you did not know at the time. This was Halberstam's last book. He was killed in an automobile accident just before the book was published.

As other reviewers have noted, this is not a comprehensive history of the Korean War. However as in most good historical works, the author is highly selective in the material he chooses to present. That material supports the author's main theme: the political failures that lead to the war, the personal failures that resulted in the creation of a debacle, and the failure to learn any lessons from the war that resulted in a repetition of the failures, even to this day.

The book draws to a rather abrupt, and for me disappointing, conclusion immediately after the events of Chipyongni with about 2 years left to go in the war. But on reflection I think the unsatisfying conclusion to the book simply mirrors the unsatisfying conclusion to the war itself.

The nugget of gold in this book is found at the end in the section called "The Consequences", and in the epilogue. A lot of food for thought there. And some interesting conclusions as to the consequences of the war for the rest of the century and beyond.

I came away with a much better understanding of this war, its causes and consequences. And it was an excellent read by a good author.

Another brilliant and well researched work by David Halberstam. I do wish he had delved more into the air war, since I feel that would have explained how the Chinese could lose 40,000 soldiers in a particular battle while the Americans only lost 500. On the other hand, perhaps he spared me some nightmares.

This book presents a complete account of the Korean conflict. I had read about the Chosin Reservoir debacle, but wanted the larger picture and this book provides that, as well as the history of North Korea's cult of personality. An excellent book.

The Author failed to provide good 1953 year details when so many men were lost, especially during the final months-June & July during the Chinese offensive against the Capitol ROK Division in central Korea, requiring two American Divisions to fill in and stop the surge!! .

This is a captivating history read that sets the tone for understanding post-WWII US domestic politics and international policy as it related to Asian affairs. Our actions in the conduct of the Korean War pretty much set the stage for our later actions in Viet Nam. I needed some more context for understanding the current state of affairs vis-a-vis the DPRK and its repressive government and this book helped provide it. I'm currently reading "The Fifties" also by David Halberstam and finding it illuminating and very well-written. His death in a car accident took one of our best modern history writers.

Great book--nested series of bios and accounts of political and military events leading up to and during the Korean War, with some treatment of how Right Wing politics then influenced Kennedy and Johnson Administrations to become involved in Vietnam. A lot of attention is devoted to the pernicious role of MacArthur, and how he got the country in trouble, and prolonged the war through his personality disorder. I learned an awful lot and enjoyed the instruction. All the people I knew as a child whined about how Truman had lost China and how great a man MacArthur was. Now we know better, but they are all dead. I kept wondering if anything would have convinced them otherwise, since their beliefs were so ill-founded. I didn't have any complaints about this book, except it got really painful reading about how disastrous Ned Almond was as a soldier and as a human being.

Halberstram was a great author and his chronicles of important events have provided us with a valid and unvarnished true recounting of events and the people who shaped them. His portrayal of Generals MacArthur and
Almond and their egotisitical natures and how they cost thousands of lives. This book strips away the veneer of some of our vaunted "heroes" and tells the true story of how the Korean War was almost lost. I love Halberstram's writing and the way in which he doesn't hold back when criticism of decisions are justified.For instance, he portrys General Almond as a "yes man" to MacArthur and as a tyrant to his subordinates.
Robert A. Shaines
author of "Command Influence"

Wonderfully researched account of one of America's forgotten wars. Interesting background histories of the top and mid-level commanders and politicians and a devastating appraisal of General MacArthur, warts and all. Highly recommended for those of us who assume the top brass are at the top of their game.

Written with the usual Halberstam style and attention to detail. This book is not only entertaining, it is educational at multiple levels. The book provides insight into history along with the personalities, motivations, and behind the scenes positioning that made things happen. This book sets the record straight and corrects many legends of the American media.

Really liked this book. It was a detailed history of how Korea was back then, and helps explain why North Korea and South Korea are today. It also helps explain why rhe U.S. got involved in Viet Nam. It also removed the cloak from the Gen. Douglas McArthur hero image, one largely created by McArthur.

Have not yet finished reading it, but it fills in a lot of the gaps about what happened, the behind the scenes happenings, and the reasons things happened. I have been a little stunned at some of the events. My father was in Korea, never talked about it, and I wanted to know what it was like. I don't think I would have much to say when I returned either. Good read.

I’ve always wanted to learn more about the Korean War and this book answered many questions. Well written. A nice combination of personal stories about the soldiers and then diving in depth into the architects of it all.

Excellent book on the Korean War. The only negative in my opinion was he sometimes went into too much detail on the background of the players involved. I was sorry to read that he died in an auto accident after this book so no more from this fine author.

What a treasure we lost when Halberstam died. This was his final book. If you've never read a good history of the Korean war, this is a very good one, in my opinion. Considerable coverage of the Truman/MacArthur controversy.

The book is the most comprehensive of any Korean War book that I have read. It provides insight into the Russian, Chinese, N.Korean, and U.S. leaderships over the course of the war, not just battle descriptions. I have read quite a few Korean War books. This is the one that I would recommend to someone to provide the best historical insight into the war. David Halberstam is as good as they come.

What a treasure we lost when Halberstam died. This was his final book. If you've never read a good history of the Korean war, this is a very good one, in my opinion. Considerable coverage of the Truman/MacArthur controversy.

The book is the most comprehensive of any Korean War book that I have read. It provides insight into the Russian, Chinese, N.Korean, and U.S. leaderships over the course of the war, not just battle descriptions. I have read quite a few Korean War books. This is the one that I would recommend to someone to provide the best historical insight into the war. David Halberstam is as good as they come.

Provides insights on the prevailing politics in the US prior to and during the Korean War. The book covers how the state of the US military was allowed to deteriorate to such an abysmal level. Halberstam details why the Korean War turned into a bloody standoff.

the book was written in a very concise and entertaining way. informative and pulled no punches. for someone who knew a very little about the war and the conflict between Truman and McArthur it was an eye opening read. having read a number of history books over the years it was an easy read.

This book was extremely well researched with a balance of the military/political and human interest. It is very relevant for today's debate over the use of infantry versus drone strikes. My only regret is that I cannot reach out to thank many of the individuals named for their military service. However, David Halberstam insured their actions would be recognized and remembered.

An outstanding presentation of the "Forgotten War". The author has done a remarkable job of researching not only the Korean war but the history and actions of all the principal personages of the time. Finally someone had the guts to spell out the REAL Douglas Mac Arthur and expose the many GIs that died to satisfy his vanity. As a GI who spent 15 months of my life in the "forgotten War" I found "The Coldest Winter " one of the best books of my time. Only a person who lived through those trying years can really appreciate this book. You can bet I will recommend it as MUST READ.

While this is not a complete story about Americas Most Forgotten War- The Second Korean War. (We fought a brief Campaign in Korea during the Post Civil War Era of showing the Flag) It is however a brillantly written story of the fall of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and one of our greatest military defeats of the Cold War. (Korea has a lot to teach us about the way the world works if we were to take heed of its lessons offered.)
While it has been previously & rightfully pointed out in the other reviews, some minor errors of details in this book. None the less the Author (who will be sorely missed by this reader) creates an excellent overview of the causes of the war & the tragic fall of a great but in no way perfect American Icon. Altogether this book is well worth the time and coin to get and read if one is interested in this period of American History.
As an added plus two forgotten but excellent - Generals Walker & Ridgeway are brought back into the light. Walker being the fellow who with an ill trained, equipped, supported and poorly led Army fought the Ruthless North Korean Army to a Standstill at the Pusan Perimeter.
Ridgeway who later on took over the 8th Army after the death of Walker in a jeep accident. Proceeded to make it into one of Americas Premier Fighting Armies and gave the Communist a severe whipping on the field. Ridgeway also later on helped delay Americas entry into Vietnam for almost 10 years.

Fifty years later, it appears that was a war worth fighting. Look at South Korea today! And North Korea! Leadership flaws are revealed here, too. Halberstam lets us see no only what mistakes the generals made, but the deadly was these errors hurt their subordinates.

For too long, Americans have known little about the Korean War. Halberstam's learned and engaging account explains both the horrors suffered on the ground by American soldiers and the hubris of General Douglas MacArthur.

I can only recommend this book. It goes well below the surface of the detailed military operations to show how the domestic politics determined the outcome in the battlefield. Regrettably. Not for the right wingers, though, as things are called by their name. Thanks to Mr Halberstam I have know a clearer vision of the events of the post-war era. Invaluable.

I knew almost nothing about the Korean War. Halberstam's well-researched and very detailed accounts provided me the kind of detail to give me a good understanding of what went on during that conflict. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in U.S. history or reading accounts of war.

very interesting about a War that little was or has been written about....no where it the world have such battles taken place in any war. really unbelievable that 300 000 enemy troops in the area and we think there are NONE!!! Hard to believe.

An excellent recounting of the "Forgotten War," with the political intrigue of General Douglas MacArthur wanting a war with China and President Harry Truman, who wanted a limited "police action." The war pits the Communist giants Stalin and Mao against the United States and the United Nations troops. Early in the war Mao understands the egotism of MacArthur who want to rush through the Korean Province to reach the Yalu River. MacArthur underestimates the strength, will and tenacity of the Chinese troops. The Korean troops almost seem a by-line to the war. The travesty of this war was the beleagured American troops, ill-prepared for the Korean winter and over-extended supply and re-enforcement lines, following the orders of a theatre commander, safely ensconced in Tokyo, who never spent a single night in Korea during the War. The book portrays the bravery and and valor of the soldiers and the ineptness of many of those in command positions. Despite this ineptness that cost many lives and war wounds, the generals are rewarded with more stars and medals. The backdrop of the war is the political climate in Washington being led by the anti-Communists and supported by the likes of Henry Luce, the publisher of Time and Life magazines.
Halberstam provides an all-encompassing view of the political and military situation and the warring personalities of Mao and MacArthur.

This book has helped me understand the situation and circumstances around this "war" we chose not to win. It provides the basis for the liberal thinking that has made it possible for us not to win Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan.