This Kind of War: A Study in Unpreparedness

1st Edition, 1st Printing - Macmillan (1963). VERY GOOD in a Very Good mylar covered dust jacket with a $10.00 price on front flap. No marks in text. Binding is tight and square. xii, 688 pages : illustrations, portraits, maps ; 25 cm. . . . . . . This book is regarded as the most comprehensive single-volume history of the Korean War, distinguished for both its narrative depth and critical analysis. Written by a veteran who commanded U.S. Army units during the conflict, the book blends vivid memoir with strategic and operational history, focusing especially on the experiences of small-unit commanders and infantrymen in fierce combat against North Korean and Chinese forces.? The book's subtitle, "A Study in Unpreparedness," reflects its central critique: Fehrenbach laments the U.S. military's lack of readiness, discipline, and institutional organization at the war's outset, tracing the army's transformation as troops hardened through combat. He emphasizes the difference between civilian and military mindsets, arguing that effective armies must be organized along principles distinct from those of civilian society and warning that sending unprepared soldiers into battle is tantamount to "murder". The book combines personal narratives, operational reports, and analysis of global political maneuverings, making it a touchstone work for understanding the harsh realities and enduring lessons of the Korean War.…