Overview

A ground-breaking history of this global conflict including the errors and miscalculations made on both sides. Korea: War Without End examines the stand-off between East and West in Korea that ultimately defined the second half of the 20th century. It provides a critical analysis of the lack of preparation by the West for war; the results of the North Korean invasion in June 1950; the counter-stroke by MacArthur in September and then the strategic overreach which led to communist China’s involvement on the North Korean side, and the rapid escalation to consideration of the use of nuclear weapons. Through meticulous analysis of all the source material, this book details the chaos of political decision-making at the war’s outset and as it progressed. The Korean War was not planned as a Communist offensive against the West. In turn, the East did not understand the principle at the core of the Western response to Kim Il-sung’s aggression, namely a refusal to appease an aggressor, the key mistake the West considered to be at the heart of the rise of Nazi Germany and militaristic Japan in the 1930s. Korea: War Without End also considers the effect of the fighting on civilians. While the war was a proxy one between East and West, the people of Korea suffered immensely, with approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II. This is the definitive history of the conflict that is long overdue.

Full Product Details

9781472869753

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Reviews

Compelling, highly thought-provoking and timely. * James Holland * By turns insightful and exciting, profoundly researched and well written, this book forces us to rethink the Korean War completely… With the challenges posed by modern China and the choices faced by Ukraine today, this book has a pressing modern relevance. * Andrew Roberts, author of 'Churchill: Walking with Destiny' * A compelling new history of the Korean War... provides superb new insights, reflections, and lessons of enormous relevance to the contemporary situation in east Asia. Korea: War Without End is aptly titled and a must read for all who are focused on the Asia Pacific, the most important theatre in today’s world. * General David Petraeus, co-author of 'Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza' *

Author Information

General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL is one of the UK’s most respected military commentators. As Chief of the General Staff his leadership and example were critical in shaping the debate about the role of the professional army in modern warfare. Robert Lyman is one of Britain’s top military historians with several acclaimed books to his name. He spent 20 years in the British Army and he is currently a Research Fellow at the Changing Face of War Centre, Pembroke College, University of Oxford.

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