SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post

krashkart · 01-12-12, 01:55 PM

Recently got a hankering for some history on the Korean War, so picked up a copy of The Korean War 1950-1953 by Brian Catchpole (ISBN 978-1-84901-547-9). I don't really intend to review the book at great length, but since I had never before had an interest in the war I will say that Catchpole's extensive summary filled me in on what I had ignored for so long, and left me hungering dearly for more. I was stunned time and time again by the sheer volume of losses suffered by both sides; particularly during the tenuous UN defence of (and eventual breakout from) Pusan in the early weeks of the conflict, and also during the hellish fighting that took place along what eventually became the present-day border between the two Koreas. Additionally, Catchpole endeavors to explain in his book some of the mechanisms behind public opinion at the time, which helped me understand why the Korean War is so often called the "Forgotten War". (Not so much a forgotten war as it was a war that took place when the world was still winding down from WWII. )

As a newcomer to this chapter of military history I feel that this book really opened my eyes to a war that had always been something of a mystery to me. Overall it left me in a sort of profound and thoughtful state of shock with even more questions in mind than answers. A well-executed book that will probably never leave my collection; I highly recommend it.

Are there any other Korean War books you guys would recommend? I think I might start a small personal library on the subject.

01-12-12, 01:55 PM	#1
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	History of the Korean War Recently got a hankering for some history on the Korean War, so picked up a copy of The Korean War 1950-1953 by Brian Catchpole (ISBN 978-1-84901-547-9). I don't really intend to review the book at great length, but since I had never before had an interest in the war I will say that Catchpole's extensive summary filled me in on what I had ignored for so long, and left me hungering dearly for more. I was stunned time and time again by the sheer volume of losses suffered by both sides; particularly during the tenuous UN defence of (and eventual breakout from) Pusan in the early weeks of the conflict, and also during the hellish fighting that took place along what eventually became the present-day border between the two Koreas. Additionally, Catchpole endeavors to explain in his book some of the mechanisms behind public opinion at the time, which helped me understand why the Korean War is so often called the "Forgotten War". (Not so much a forgotten war as it was a war that took place when the world was still winding down from WWII. ) As a newcomer to this chapter of military history I feel that this book really opened my eyes to a war that had always been something of a mystery to me. Overall it left me in a sort of profound and thoughtful state of shock with even more questions in mind than answers. A well-executed book that will probably never leave my collection; I highly recommend it. Are there any other Korean War books you guys would recommend? I think I might start a small personal library on the subject. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard Last edited by krashkart; 01-14-12 at 07:08 AM.