Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950

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Summary: Brillianly written citations of REAL individual heroism.
Review: This is a book that you can read, put down, and start up again, with ease. Only problem is that you won't. It is so enthralling - the military strategy: the brilliant utilization of limited firepower and equipment. But the most interesting was the recordation of the good, the bad, and the ugly that occurred in that god-forbidden, sub-zero wasteland. It is filled with descriptions of the individual accounts of suffering and bravery by those men who repeatedly risked their lives in unbeleivable scenarios. A darned good book that really makes me proud to to know that there are men willing to fight to the end for their country and fellow man. Semper Fi.

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Summary: Confusing without more and better maps
Review: Breakout is a good comprehensive story of one of the greatest ordeals suffered by the U.S. military (Marines and Army!). My main criticism is the lack of sufficient maps. The few maps given are too simplistic. I found I had to go to the internet and download more detailed maps from Korean War web sites. I hope the second edition corrects this problem.

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Summary: A great story of an unbelievable feat of arms by the Marines
Review: As a Marine in Korea, I served on the MLR and Martin Russ's platoon relieved mine on the lines which was superby described in THE LAST PARALLEL, his first book. BREAKOUT brings all of his knowlege and ability to describe the unbelievable feat of the !st Marine Divison against horrible elements and overwhelming enemy forces. It is a must read for those interested in military history. Furthermore, I agree with his assessment of the Army even though that branch has improved over the years since then.

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Summary: Accounts of incredible valor
Review: My son bought me "Breakout" and "The Triumph and the Glory" for Father's Day and I finally found time to read them. First of all, Martin Russ has written a definitive account of the Chosin Reservoir fighting with this fine book. Marine valor at Chosin is perhaps only rivaled by the magnificent display of the Corps on Iwo Jima. Two different types of battles in two very different locales, with one common factor--the bravery of the average Marine rifleman carried the day when all looked lost. Chosin will never be forgotten as long as America lives and Mr. Russ' book is a contribution to the memories of the men who fought there. That new WWII novel, The Triumph and the Glory was pretty good too.

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Summary: This is the best written treatment of the Chosin Battle
Review: A Marine veteran of Korea himself, Martin Russ has masterfully researched and written the most outstanding history of the 1st Marine Division's epic battle at and withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir in December 1950. Russ has melded into his history, using official documents, other primary sources, the first-person testimony of the heroes who fought this battle. I know of no other narrative of this engagement which is so insightful and which tells of the brave feats of endurance by Marines of the 1st Division, its accompanying Navy doctors and corpsmen, and the Royal Marine commandos who fought with them. Benis M. Frank, Chief Historian of the Marine Corps, Retired.

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Summary: At last a book that equals the action
Review: If you are interested in heroism, courage and honor, read this book. I wrote the Wall Street Journal review of it and all I can say is that I want those who are looking at this to buy this book and read it. My motive: If you are not sure whether you understand the culture and the greatness of the US Marines or if you never served, this book is the first book I have read that made me feel like I was there at the Frozen Chosin. Mr. Russ has done us all a great service. Read it.

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Summary: Outstanding Story of Survival
Review: Having read many books on the Korean War I rate this one at the top. The book could have used more mapping and was too top heavy in army bashing and I take tongue in cheek at the criticism of task Foce Faith. Many believe that if the army regiment on the east side of the reservoir hadnt punished the Chinese that its conceivable that the Marines might not have gotten out even in the manner in which they did. So the criticism cuts both ways. Russ tells the story in the best manner and that is with narrative and from the mouths of the participants themselves. This was a real dog fight and the Marines planning and fighting spirit carried the day. One wonders if Ned Almond ever listened to anyone else in the world besides MacArthur. He was a master of impatience.

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Summary: Ranks with the finest of all books on the art of war
Review: The only book on the Korean War fit to be placed beside Russ's masterpiece is S.L.A. Marshall's "The River and The Gauntlet." When these two books are read in conjunction, there can be now doubt about the Army's hubris about Chosin and the Chinese and the remarkable valor of the Corps.It does need more detailed and accurate maps-publisher's error/not the author's.

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Summary: ranks with the finest of all books on the art of war
Review: The only book on the Korean War fit to be placed besid Russ's masterpiece is S.L.A. Marshall's "The River and The Gauntlet." When these two books are read in conjunction, there can be now doubt about the Army's hubris about Choisin and the Chinese and the remarkable valor of the Corps.

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Summary: the best book on combat i've read
Review: The author uses ancedotes from the men who were there to describe the desparate situation the 1st Marine Division was in at Chosin. Very graphic and totally real. He pulls no punches, tells it as it was. I've read four books on the Korean War and this one is the BEST.