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by Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman.
Hardback (6.3×9.4 inches). 368 pages. 2025.
This one-volume history of the war offers enough of an overview to follow the June 25, 1950 North Korea invasion of South Korea, US defense of Pusan, Inchon counter-attack and drive to the Yalu, Chinese intervention, and general stalemate. Obviously, there’s a lot that’s covered quickly, but the salient battles and tactics are there.
Because it’s often at such a high level, tactical battle descriptions suitable for tabletops are minimal. The section covering the UK Gloster battalion’s mountain defense against most of three Chinese divisions is quite well done. Now, that is worthy of a tabletop scenario. Page 241 has a rudimentary map sans terrain that’s a start, but you may need additional sources.
The authors are of the opinion that the drive to the Yalu was unnecessary and the UN should have stopped at the 38th parallel. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing. The discussion about overthrowing the aggressor and turning Korea into a unified country versus just returning the border to the parallel makes for the essence of history — balance, research, and contemplation. On the one hand, restoring the status quo offers an incentive for dictators to settle. On the other hand, dictators often face little if any consequences, regardless of casualties.
The book contains 31 black and white photos and seven black and white maps.
With the upcoming 75th anniversary of the start of the war, now is as good a time as any to contemplate the defense of countries suffering invasions and how dictators could or should be countered.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
