The Coldest Winter
America and the Korean War
by David Halberstam
Mem. Ed. $23.45
Pub. Ed. $35.00
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The Coldest Winter
Sandwiched between the triumphs of the “greatest generation” in World War II and the military and political debacle of the Vietnam War, the conflict in Korea has largely—and unjustly—been relegated to the dustbin of history. The late David Halberstam’s magnificent book changes that. In his trademark dramatic narrative style, Halberstam shows us how America found itself at war in Korea and how our involvement has continued to affect American policies today. In particular, Halberstam shows us the broader picture of how America gets involved in wars it doesn’t want, which only generate more problems both internationally and domestically. A magnificent final work from one of America's greatest historical writers.
Hardcover: 736 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Bks/Imp Of Buena Vista Bk ( September 18, 2007 )
Item #: 60-4225
ISBN: 9781401300524
Product Dimensions: 6.125 x 9.25 x 1.84 inches
Product Weight: 31.0 ounces
There is no war without politics
March 13, 2010
Some of the reviewers here apparently failed to read the subtitle of this book, which is "America and the Korean War." This signals that Halberstam's interest is not on a military history of the conflict per se, but rather the political background of the war and the political consequences that flowed from it. Since the Korean War was a war of choice, the politics of it are highly significant and remain illuminating in the early 21st century. Halberstam's larger objective clearly is to connect the American engagement in the Korean War, but ultimately also in Vietnam and Iraq, to the domestic political struggle between conservatives, mostly but not exclusively Republican, and the Democratic heirs of FDR and the New Deal. MacArthur was a pivotal figure in this struggle, and it was over the quality of his leadership that the great political crisis of the conflict emerged. As far as "trashing MacArthur and his staff" is concerned, how can one write a general history of a war without considering its military leadership? That would be like writing a history of the U.S. military in WWII without mentioning Eisenhower or Marshall (or MacArthur). I think "honest assessment" is the correct term to use, as Halberstam does give MacArthur his due for his erratic but occasionally brilliant military leadership, as well as his political skills in aggrandizing ever-increasing power and independence into his own hands. However, he was also supremely egotistical, politically extreme, and in the end profoundly insubordinate to the national command structure in a manner that placed the lives of thousands of American servicemen at risk. Halberstam lays all of this out with remarkable clarity. His book shows how the machinations of politics and power ultimately were reflected in the situation of the military forces on the ground, and the price that ordinary soldiers had to pay as competing political agendas clashed in Washington.
Reviewer: J. P
Not balanced but not bad
April 23, 2009
I agree with much that has been said about this book. The author is obsessed with MacArthur but then, he was the central figure of the early parts of the war. I thought the descriptions of the politics of that time excellent. My major complaint is that there is a repetitiveness to some parts of the book as if it needed to be edited tighter. This is not the best military book of the Korean War (that is not it's goal) but it does give a good overall view of that time of the Korean War.
Reviewer: Rjh
The Coldest Winter
November 21, 2008
One of the best books about the Korean War, I read this book in 2 days(I work at the post office, Have allot of free time) I can't understand why the Dept of Defense would send troops into north Korea in the late fall wearing summer uniforms. A great book about Chosin, is BREAKOUT by Martin Russ
Reviewer: Sam F
Good History, with politics creeping in
August 15, 2008
A good read to be sure, but the auther seems obsessed with trashing MacArther and his staff. I'm glad I plowed ahead through the political opinions, since the second half of the book, with it's descriptions of battle and stories from the men who fought them, were just riviting. It's too bad this otherwise excellent piece of history is marred by the authors political agenda, he even managed to get in a swipe at President Bush and the current war in Iraq!
Reviewer: Curt B
A truly in-depth look at the Korean War
August 13, 2008
I started this book with somewhat of a jaundiced outlook of what this book might be like based upon the reputation of the author. Halberstam was widely criticized for his reporting in Viet Nam and his liberal views. I was very pleasantly surprised by the book. Halberstam does not spend much time on battle descriptions, but he does balance the political and military sides of the war very well.
Reviewer: Stephen R
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