Korea : First War We Lost

From Barnes & Noble

This intriguing and controversial book written by professional Army historian Alexander sets out to show both the politics and combat of the Korean War as they actually were -- rife with tactical and strategic blunders made by the leaders.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This intriguing analysis presents a clear and readable account of the military aspects of the Korean war, while shedding light on the political, diplomatic and social aspects of the conflict. Photos, maps. (July)

Library Journal

This respectable and fast-moving study is the first to be written by a professional Army historian. Appropriately, it is as much about politics as combat, and Bevin does a superb job of placing the war in the context of domestic and international affairs. Frequently partisan and often controversial, he capably challenges many of the traditional interpretations of American policy. MacArthur comes across as a military genius and a strategic madman. The combat descriptions are lucid, with good maps; it is easy to follow the military action from grand strategy down to the squad level. The book is historically more complete than Joseph Goulden's Korea ( LJ 2/1/82) and deserves a place in most public collections. Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles

From The Critics

In a newly revised edition, Bevin Alexander's Korea: The First War We Lost continues to be an exhaustive, scholarly exploration of the causes and effects of American involvement in the Korean War. Alexander, a combat historian during the Korean War and commander of the 5th Historical Detachment, points out the U.S. succeeded in stopping North Korean aggression, but failed in its attempt to destroy the North Korean state and eliminate this strategic shield protecting China's heartland. Alexander's informative and comprehensive text is enhanced with thirteen maps and is a seminal contribution to American military studies in general, and the Korean conflict in particular.