Korea cover

Description

A ground-breaking history of this global conflict including the errors and miscalculations.

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.

Table of Contents

SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION
Introduction
Part 1
The first War for Korea
Sergeant Collins' Baptism of Fire at P'yongt'aek
Chapter 1 – Who started it, and Why?
Chapter 2 – From a clear blue sky
Chapter 3 – Blitzkrieg, In Mun Gun style
Chapter 4 – Pusan Perimeter
Chapter 5 – Inchon
Part 2
The second War for Korea
Captain Muñoz and the ambush of the 2nd Division below Kunu-ri
Chapter 6 – The Yalu or bust
Chapter 7 – Cataclysm
Chapter 8 – The End of the Proconsul
Part 3
Return to the status quo ante: Stalemate Prologue: [British example (David Green, Imjin River?)]
Chapter 9 – Rorke's Drift, again…
Chapter 10 – Captives and captivity
Chapter 11 – Moral Anaesthesia
Chapter 12 – Stalemate and armistice
Epilogue

Product details

Published May 22 2025
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 352
ISBN 9781472869784
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 1 8-page section of photos in colour and black-and-white
Series General Military
Short code GNM
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Richard Dannatt

General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL is one of t…

Author

Robert Lyman

Robert Lyman is regarded as one of Britain’s most…

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases