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This Kind of War: The Classic Korean War History Audiobook
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(4.02) - 285 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War makes this an appropriate time to revisit This Kind of War, the monumental study of the conflict that began in June 1950. Successive generations of U.S. military officers have considered this book an indispensable part of their education.
T. R. Fehrenbach's narrative brings to life the harrowing and bloody battles that were fought up and down the Korean Peninsula. Partly drawn from official records, operations journals, and histories, it is based largely on the compelling personal narratives of the small-unit commanders and their troops. Unlike any other work on the Korean War, it provides a clear panoramic view, sharp insight into the successes and failures of U.S. forces, and a riveting account of fierce clashes between U.N. troops and the North Korean and Chinese communist invaders.
The lessons that Colonel Fehrenbach identifies still resonate. Severe peacetime budget cuts after World War II left the U.S. military a shadow of its former self. The terrible lesson of Korea was that to send into action troops trained for nothing but "serving a hitch" in some quiet billet was an almost criminal act. Throwing these ill-trained and poorly equipped troops into the heat of battle resulted in the war's early routs. The United States was simply unprepared for war. As we enter a new century with Americans and North Koreans continuing to face each other across the 38th parallel, we would do well to remember the price we paid during the Korean War.
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"I decided to save five stars for books I think will enter my consciousness and that I will want to own and return to. This is one of those. Not everyone's going to agree with his opinions, but his thoughts on why Americans go to war and what it takes gave me some good stuff to chew on."
— Prawlins (5 out of 5 stars)
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A comprehensive and impressively written history of the Korean War.
— The Washington Post
This Kind of War Listener Reviews
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" Great book, particularly about a war that isn't as well known as some of the other US wars. Definitely an eye opener. "
— Marko, 2/19/2014 -
" If you'd like to learn what you didn't learn about the Korean War in the public schools, read this book! "
— Michael, 2/17/2014 -
" The best history from the American point of view of the Forgotten War. A must read for all Army Officers. "
— Chadwick, 2/17/2014 -
" This book gives a very detailed account of the Korean conflict. I was surprised that the last half of this war was basically meaningless. I thought it was very well researched. I enjoyed this book. "
— Wachlin007, 1/12/2014 -
" This is _the_ book about the Korean War, which may not be saying much because there aren't many books about this conflict. But, even if there were, they'd have a tough time besting this excellent account. "
— G.T., 1/7/2014 -
" Long and dry, this book is the quintessential book about the Korean War. It touches upon all aspects of the war from the boot private all the way through that of Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. Its depth of scope is impressive. "
— Joe, 12/5/2013 -
" Even though it was written 50 years ago, still very applicable to America today. Very interesting study of why the American people will always be at odds with its own military and other countries in the world. "
— Allan, 11/21/2013 -
" A history of the Korean War. Very readable and in a narrative format. Entertaining without all of the maps and details that keep you from seeing the big picture. "
— John, 10/29/2013 -
" Once of my favorite military history books. More inspirational and philosophical than historical. But I think that somebody needs to write a book like this for the current conflict we face in Iraq, if the administration wants to have the American people buy into why we're fighting over there. "
— Patrick, 9/18/2013 -
" I knew close to nothing about the Korean War before reading this book, which I found very enlightening. "
— Brian, 2/10/2013 -
" I am currently about halfway finished. "
— Ashley, 12/2/2012 -
" One of the best histories of the Korean war from the small unit and individual soldier perspective. "
— Peter, 10/20/2012 -
" Probably the strongest and most scathing description of the necessity for military discipline under fire. Neither for the faint of heart nor for those with delusions about the terrible necessity of battle. "
— Grahambo, 5/6/2012 -
" extraordinarily thorough, but to a fault. i felt like i didn't know enough about the korean war, and this book certainly rectified that. that doesn't, however, make it a masterpiece of a book. i feel like there should be a condensed version that is 40% shorter. "
— Jake, 12/13/2011 -
" Masterful history of the Korean War. Fehrenbach is an underrated historian, and this book well-deserves the "classic" moniker. Chapter 25, "Proud Legions," can be read as a stand-alone, a warning that today's America would do well to heed. "
— Land, 10/28/2010
About T. R. Fehrenbach
Colonel T. R. Fehrenbach (Ret.) commanded United States Army units in Korea at the platoon, company, and battalion levels. He is the author of Comanches: The Destruction of a People, Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, and Seven Keys to Texas. He has also been a contributor to many publications, including Esquire, the Atlantic, the Saturday Evening Post, and the New Republic. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, Lillian.
About Kevin Foley
Kevin Foley, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has more than thirty years of experience in radio and television broadcasting, commercial voice-overs, and audiobook narration. He has recorded more than 150 audiobooks, including River Thunder by Gary McCarthy, for which he earned a Spur Award for Best Audiobook from the Western Writers of America.