The Korean War: 1950-53 - Softcover

Catchpole, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786709243 ISBN 13: 9780786709243

Publisher: Basic Books, 2001

Synopsis

From the American attempts to take back Pusan from the North Korean communist forces at the outset of the war in 1950, to the U.S. assault on Inchon and capture of Seoul, to the final bloody battles of Pork Chop, Old Baldy, and the Hook in 1953, this military history authoritatively chronicles the conflict that became America's first unwinnable foreign war and gravely demonstrated the limits of the West's power in the East.

About this title

About the Author:

Brian Catchpole is a Korean War veteran and the author of many books including Twentieth Century Germany, The Modern World and Britain; Clash of Cultures and Balloons to Buccaneers. He lives in Yorkshire.

From Publishers Weekly:

A 34-year veteran of the British Continental Army who retired a lt. colonel in 1987, Catchpole has published map histories of the U.S., China and Russia, as well as the sweeping study Clash of Cultures. This single-volume account covers the conflict from North Korea's early victories and attempts to penetrate the Pusan defense line and MacArthur's amphibious assault at Inchon, which reversed the tide of the war, drawing in the Chinese People's Liberation Army, all the way up to the 10-minute Battle in the Yellow Sea just two years ago. Writing from the British perspective, Catchpole naturally highlights British involvement in this unpopular war, which was the first to take place under United Nations auspices. That perspective makes for a fresh take on events like MacArthur's decision to move to the Chinese border in late 1950. Under Americans commanders throughout the war, British troops suffered the second highest number of casualties of the UN nations. Chapters encompass naval and air warfare, and contributions of Canadian, New Zealand and Australian troops, and examine the effect of the war on the home fronts. Scrutiny of UN covert operations, prisoner of war problems, the positive effects of the war on Japan and consequences for the rest of the Far East round things out. The British amateur historian's-eye view of things is likely to appeal only to those who have exhausted U.S.
focused accounts. Maps not seen by PW. (Oct. 30)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0786709243
• ISBN 13: 9780786709243
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384