Book About the Korean War

[erpowers]

I might have asked this question before. If I did I apologize. Can anyone give me a list of good books to read about the Korean War? What would be the best book for me to read in order to learn the history of the Korean War? I am interested in reading about the Korean War mainly because the war is not talked about very much.

[pnorman]

1. There's one "contrarian" book you should most definitely include with all the others recommended

by others here. And that would be: "The Hidden History of the Korean War, 1950-1951: A Nonconformist History of Our Times", by I. F. Stone. Here it is at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-History-Korean-1950-1951-Nonconformist/dp/0316817708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255971076&sr=1-1

He does a good job of debunking "conventional beliefs", and does so by referring mainly to MSM news items. On occasion, he shows that only the European office of the USA publication does honest reporting, as opposed to the "home office"!

pnorman
On edit: There's also a 3 volume "Origins of the Korean War", by Bruce Cumings. The prices at Amazon look to be "collector prices", but hopefully, it'll be available at your local library. Stone and Cumings would be described as "leftist", and would be useful counterbalances to all the others.

[erpowers]

2. Looking Forward to the Stone Book

I have heard a great deal about I.F. Stone so I am looking forward to reading a book written by him about the Korean War. Thank you for the recommendation.

[pnorman]

3. A funny thing about that book. I had first come across it in a post library at Fort Ord in 1951!

I'd been drafted in June of 1951, and had my basic training at Fort Ord. Unlike almost all my fellow 'cruits, I had some political 'savvy'. I didn't recognize the authors name at first, but when I got into the book, it was like: "WOW!!! What in the world is a book like this, doing out in plain sight in a MILITARY BASE?". The base commander (I can't recall his name at present) had earlier served in Korea during that conflict, and according to that book, he was an outstanding and aggressive general and much beloved by all whose served under him. But his very success somehow interfered with MacArthur's "Master Plan", so he was summarily relieved and sent stateside! Ordering that "commie book" for the post library, was apparently his petty revenge!

Enjoy that book, and while you're at the library, see if you can find other books by (and about) Izzy Stone.

pnorman
On edit: I finally recalled the name of that base commander; it was Major General Robert McClure. Googling him, I learned that he was an early pioneer of military psywar. That might have explained at least some of MacArthur's antipathy. He LOATHED the CIA, and no doubt 'spooks' in general.

[pnorman]

4. Consider those 3 volumes by Bruce Cumings too, if theyre available at your local library.

They're a very lengthy read, but they cover much of what you WON'T find in mainstream books on that subject. And also look for whatever is available on Izzy Stone! He's 'iconoclastic', but never shrill or abusive, and always a pleasure to read (not to mention very informative).

pnorman

[ramapo]

5. Halberstam's The Coldest Winter

He covers the war and the political side of things back in the states including Truman, Congress, & McArthur, & Eisenhower. A fascinating eye-opener.

[WCGreen]

6. That's a really good, detailed and rngaging book....