Rating: 
Summary: Breakout
Review: The book is a good account of men in battle under extreme weather conditions. Most Marines will fall in love with the author and his story. Also like most Marines, Martin Russ finds it necessary to degrade the US Army whenever possible. He views the Army, as basically children with guns and without the protection of the Marines would be totally lost. Every Marine was brave, noble and strong while every GI was a coward, weak and confused. Mr. Russ makes fun of some of the Army division "nick names" i.e. Tropic Lighting and Screaming Eagles for example. It reminds me that in WWII these same "doggie" Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division held off up to 250,000 Germans at a little town called Bastogne in one of the coldest winters on record. By the way the Germans had hundreds of Tiger Tanks supporting their attempt to overrun the 101st, yet the Army paratroops never gave up nor retreated. Just a thought, but is there a comparison here to Chosin?
Rating: 
Summary: Not Forgotten
Review: As the son of a Korean War navy corpsman and a person born thirteen years after the conflict, the picture of my country's military exploits was painted in the afterglow colors of WWII and the mixed colors of Vietnam. Thanks to Breakout, I know now the extent of the bravery and resilience of our Marines as well as the extent to which the Chinese were involved in Korea. With many answers provided about the nature of the fighting and the major characters involved in the breakout, I have new questions about the Korean War, not the least of which is: Why didn't the US confront the Chinese government after their armies marched south from Manchuria? Regardless, the author has given us an unforgettable story about "The Forgotten War". As long as this kind of writing can be brought to light, the conflict in Korea will not go unnoticed or forgottenby this generation and future ones.
Rating:
Summary: I feel ashamed
Review: I have much to be ashamed of in my 70 years. But it wasn't until I read Breakout that I came to realize that the most shameful, contemptaible period of my life was when I served in the Army infantry in the Korean war. I'm telling people I was a draft dodger, that seems to be more respectable now-days.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent descriptive history of part of the Korean War
Review: This is an excellent history lesson on the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in the Korean War as told from a Marines perspective. Mr. Russ has a gift of being able to convey the feelings of the men and well as the conditions and emotions that they were enduring. While reading the book I could picture myself as one of the Marines (though in real-life, I have no idea how anyone can have that much bravery, endurance, and stamina). I enjoyed the quotes from the actual veterans and the photo section in the back. I must admit that I had a hard time keeping track of all of the players and how they interacted. But, Overall it was a very enjoyable book that left me with a real appreciation for all those that have fought for our country; especially the United States Marines. I highly recommend this book and one of his other books, "The Last Parallel".
Rating: 
Summary: Expected More
Review: Mr. Russ used all the appropriate quotes and dredged-up memories from the participants in this incredible story. It is the story and background between these quotes that is wanting. I would have enjoyed the book far more if there had been a number of detailed maps reflecting the situation as it changed daily, or even hourly.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent description of the horror of combat
Review: Mr. Russ has provided a very well written graphic description of the nightmarish difficulty the US Marine combat infantrymen faced during the winter months of 1950. Not only the enemy, numbered in the thousands but the wind and below zero temperatures presented situations that demanded human beings to respond in exremely heroic ways. History, political/geographic results may prove that their sacrifices may have been in vain but they shall never be forgotten. This book assists in supporting and maintaining that memory.
Rating:
Summary: A Biased Review on how the Marines Won the War Alone.
Review: Let me start out by saying that I have nothing but the highest respect for the United States Marine Corps. Not only for what they accomplished during the retreat from Chosin in particular, but for all the Corps has accomplished during its long and honorable history. However, if one were to take Russ's book at face value, the Marines did it all alone with no help whatsoever. This is just not the case, as any real military historian of the capaign will attest. His anti-Army rhetoric detracts from the main story he is trying to tell, that of the Marine exploits during the retreat. Had he stuck to just the story of the Corps, the whole book would be somewhat more credible. As it is, his comments about the conduct of the army troops at the reservoir and in other areas show an appalling lack of research. His list of sources, ironically, lists books that directly contradict the anti-Army stories he likes to tell. I can only assume that Russ needed the list to try to impress his readers that he did some form of research. Let's face it, the definitive work on the Campaign is THE CHOSIN RESERVOIR CAMPAIGN, Vol. 3 of U.S. Marine Operations in Korea. Even here, Russ distorts what positive information that was presented on Army operations. He sure used all the positive information on the Marines, however. The one glaring example of the many distortions on the Army relates to Company D, 10th Combat Engineers (Third Infantry Division) which was the largest single Army unit in the battle for East Hill. It comprised a total of 77 GI's and 90 ROK troops. Russ states that a Marine Major came upon Company D's encampment and found only one guard outside the tents, a Private Franklin Kestner. FACT. Franklin states that the whole Company was outside preparing for a work detail. Russ further states that the Marine Major was disgusted as the Engineers had not a single radio nor even one machine gun. FACT. Every account (MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA, CHOSIN, COMBAT SUPPORT IN KOREA and others) show that Company D had four 50 and five 30 caliber machine guns. As stated by Lt. Rosen and Private Kestner the unit had its full compliment of radios. Russ states that during the battle GI's broke and were fleeing for their lives down the slopes. FACT. The only trops that seemed to disapear were the ROK troops. The Engineer troops fell back 250 yards and held fast under the inspired command of both Captain Kulbes and Lt. Rosen. In the morning, there were some 400 dead enemy troops in front of the Engineer position. Captain Kulbes and Lt. Rosen were awarded Silver Stars for their leadership and COmpany D was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation from the Department of the Navy for their part in the action on East Hill. What is so ironic is that Kulbes, Rosen, and Kestner were all available for interviews should Russ really have wanted to be objective. But then they were Army. Even the books Russ lists as references refute his commentary on Company D. Again, obviously he did little or no reserach on any information presented on the Army units. His distortion of the facts is an insult to the ten brave infantrymen of Company D who gave their lives that night. There is no need to comment on Russ's unjustified and ill-informed accusations on the conduct of Task Force Faith and General Walker and the 8th Army. Suffice it to say that Russ and his myhopic view of the mission of the 10th Corps shows again his lack of objectivity and research. it is the considered opinion of most military experts that had not the Chinese 80th Division been diverted to attack the Army's 31st RCT, the Marines might not have been able to hold Hagaru-ri. This could have doomed the 1st Marine Division. In conclusion, Russ tells a nice folksy story about the Marine retreat. He did not, however, have to spend useless time vilifying the Army. I was very proud to have served in Combat during the Korea Conflict as a member of the Army. We fought just as hard and bled just as freely and died just as bravely as any Marine.
Rating: 
Summary: Hell in an Icebox
Review: It's the cold. The cold. The cold! I cannot concieve how these brave men survived the weather -- 20 below zero, plus the wind. How did they do it?! It's a helluva read altho more photography would have added perspective to the story. And I was surprised that there was no mention of medal of honor winner, Col. John Page. Minor complaints tho. My respectful, humble thanks to all the brave men who went through the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir fight.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the most stunning book I have ever read.
Review: This book is quite simply the most powerful story ever written about the Korean War. It left me stunned, amazed, shaken. There are not enough stars to rate this book. The Marines at Chosin epitomized the very essence of the words courage, tenacity, endurance, and honor. If you miss this book, you may as well quit reading altogether. To all of you who made it back, and to those who didn't, thank you.
Rating:
Summary: outstanding book about the Chosin few
Review: Carls workshop.comm Captain Carl Johnson USMCRet.On pages 425-428 two PFCS, Bill Phillips and Carl Johnson of A co. Engrs were sent by Capt. Gould up the road as security. After Recon passed we could hear tanks coming down the road, I went back and informed Capt. Gould. The lead two tanks appeared and crossed the bridge before we blew the bridge. MSGT Phillips USMC Ret. now lives in Vista, Calif. Capt. Johnson now lives in Baton Rouge, La.
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