East of Chosin: Entrapment and Breakout in Korea, 1950 (Texas a & M University Military History Series)

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Summary: A reader from St.John's, Newfoundland
Review: A very engrossing account. Despite the level of detail on the geography, personnel and their units it holds your attention. Also provides comment on areas of uncertainty over what actually happened. One of the most successful books on warfare in putting you there - to the point where it was difficult to read ( in this case an indication of the author's success ). One really sensed the isolation of the units and the desperate situation in which they found themselves. Recommended.

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Summary: The definitive tale of the 31st RCT
Review: Appleman's book is meticulously researched and wonderfully detailed. (Though you will find yourself wishing you had a set of really detailed topo maps to follow the action.) The one weakness of Appleman's research has to do with the 31st Tank. Appleman seems to have relied heavily on the recollections of Col. Drake, who commanded the 31st Tank. Drake claimed the rescue attempt on Dec 2nd was considered but never actually happended. According to my father, James R. Close, who was a gunner in one of Drake's tanks, the rescue attempt was made. The rescue party did reach the 'school house' and a little over a hundred personnel were extracted.

Even with this descrepency, Appleman's book is superb.

John F. Close

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Summary: Can it get any worse?
Review: Having read several books about the Chosin Campaign, I was pleased to finally get the story of what occurred on the East side of the reservoir. Mr. Appleman exaustingly found the details through official Army and Marine combat reports as well as listening to the survivors of this tragic event. The 31st RCT was doomed almost before they started and poor weather, traffic jams, raw Korean recruits, bad luck and command mistakes caused its demise. The Soldiers fought bravely and tenaciously but being out-numbered by as much as 10 to 1 was just too much to overcome.
The author has given us a clear, detailed, hour by hour account
of this heroic but heartbreaking episode in American military history.

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Summary: east of chosin
Review: I was also at Chosin and this book is for real. It refreshed memories, and explained the many reasons we were in such horrible, outmanned conditions.Appreciate the authors kind considerations of all the men who endured this part of the Forgotten War.

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Summary: Honest, In Depth and Heartbreaking.
Review: I've long been very familiar with the 1st Marine Division's history at the Chosin, but until I read Roy Appleman's book I didn't realize just how much I didn't know about the Army's side of the conflict. This tale of desperation and bravery should be required reading amongst all American service personnel and perhaps even in High Schools. Excellently written, this book holds your attention despite the huge amount of very detailed geographic and unit data presented.

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Summary: Infantryman's War
Review: I've read a lot of military history over the years, though I'm definitely not as well-read as some. This book and the others in Appleman's Korean War series really helped me understand small unit operations. They can be dry and a little tough going, but if you give them a chance you may discover a side of battle often overlooked. Making great use of original after action reports as well as interviews and the more common types of sources, Appleman reminds us that (unlike the movies) often ammunition and rations run out and what happens when they do. (Real men have to be sent to get more.) He shows us how and why troops are moved from one nondescript hill to another. (Almost never due to command brilliance.) And better than anyone else he shows us how great battles are built up from squad and platoon actions.

You may lose track of which regiment "L Company" is a part of, but you will come to care what happened to L Company.

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Summary: Infantryman's War
Review: I've read a lot of military history over the years, though I'm definitely not as well-read as some. This book and the others in Appleman's Korean War series really helped me understand small unit operations. They can be dry and a little tough going, but if you give them a chance you may discover a side of battle often overlooked. Making great use of original after action reports as well as interviews and the more common types of sources, Appleman reminds us that (unlike the movies) often ammunition and rations run out and what happens when they do. (Real men have to be sent to get more.) He shows us how and why troops are moved from one nondescript hill to another. (Almost never due to command brilliance.) And better than anyone else he shows us how great battles are built up from squad and platoon actions.

You may lose track of which regiment "L Company" is a part of, but you will come to care what happened to L Company.

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Summary: Hung Out to Die
Review: Never served. I've read plenty of war stories telling of brave men though. This story of the Army's fight trying to get back from the east side of the Chosin Reservoir is the saddest story I've ever read.

Bad plan. Frigid weather. Four straight days and nights under attack in the cold. No help available. Get back on your own, guys. Frostbite. All out of bandages, gasoline, ammunition. Then death in the cold cold night so close to getting back.

I've read this book twice and it effected me even more the second time.

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Summary: Steven Spielberg, please make this book into a movie!
Review: This book should become required reading for any officer in the Armed Services. The hardships that our soldiers faced East of Chosin make me proud to be an American. Appleman pulls no punches.