Korean War Reference Library: Primary Sources

Korean War: Almanac and Primary Sources covers the background of and issues related to the conflict, including:

• U.S. strategy for containing communism
• The role of the United Nations
• The entrance of Chinese troops in the conflict
• The possible use of the atomic bomb
• And others

  The volume also includes approximately 12 full or excerpted primary sources from the period, including President Harry S Trumans Statement on the Atomic Bomb. Also included are maps, a detailed chronology, sidebars featuring related information, a glossary of Words to Know, | research and activity ideas, 85 photographs and a list of further readings.|PIM|31-MAY-18|01

Grade 6-10-These useful resources provide introductory information that will help students understand the conflict's influence on the Cold War, other American military engagements, and U.S. foreign policy. Almanac is divided into two parts. The first section summarizes the major events leading to the war through to the end of hostilities. Included are black-and-white maps; photos; and sidebars containing glossaries and related information on such topics as Korean names, U.N. forces in Korea, and more. The second part contains 12 full or excerpted documents, including a number of firsthand accounts of war experiences. A short introductory statement precedes each document, followed by suggestions of "Things to remember" while reading and a brief discussion of the document's impact. Biographies provides 25 alphabetically arranged entries on international figures such as Dean Acheson, Mao Zedong, and Y Un-hy ng. Each entry includes some personal information but focuses on the person's wartime role. Quotes by the individuals are highlighted in the margins. Average-quality, black-and-white portraits and war scenes illustrate the entries. Both volumes include a lengthy glossary and time line.
Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This addition to UXL's Reference Library series, aimed at supporting the middle- and high-school history curriculum, is made up of two volumes: Almanac and Primary Sources and Biographies. Consistent with the series, the layout provides uncrowded pages with boxed information clearly delineated in gray-toned areas. There are approximately 140 black-and-white photographs and maps complementing the text. Both volumes provide a time line and a "Words to Know" section. Web-site suggestions are current through mid-2001.

The Almanac and Primary Sources volume has 13 chapters in the "Almanac" section and 12 documents in the "Primary Sources" section. The 13 chapters provide an overview of the war, its causes, major battles, and the peace process. The 12 documents include excerpts from speeches, memoirs, oral histories, reports, and government documents including the "Bridge at No Gun Ri: Survivors' Petition," Mao Zedong's "Nuclear Weapons Are Paper Tigers," and Harry S. Truman's "President's Address: Korean War Dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur." For each document, important background information is provided, and the document's impact on its author and audience is explored. A glossary in the margin defines terms, people, and ideas.

The Biographies volume profiles 25 people who played pivotal roles in the Korean War, including generals such as Mark W. Clark and Douglas MacArthur and leaders such as Kim II Sung, Mao, Truman, and Syngman Rhee. Arranged alphabetically, each entry offers a black-and-white portrait, birth and death dates and places, occupation, brief summary of the early years, emphasis on the person's work and involvement in the Korean War, and a short "Where to Learn More" list of resources.

These two volumes provide students, teachers, and the general public with an excellent starting point for researching the events and people of the Korean War. Like other titles in the series, its selective coverage and wealth of background and context make it a good choice for the designated age group. Older students will want to consult Spencer C. Tucker's Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social, and Military History (ABC-CLIO, 2000), which is the most complete treatment in a single source. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved