The Korean War

Children's Literature

For many years the military events in Korea from 1950-53 were known as "The Forgotten War." During those three years hundreds upon thousands of South Korean, American, and United Nations troops fought a vicious war with over a million North Koreans and Chinese soldiers. More than 34,000 Americans died in the Korean War. Combat featured frigid temperatures, arduous mountain fighting, a ruthless and highly motivated opponent, and brutal treatment of POW's by both sides. Simply put, the Korean War combined all the traits that one could expect from a twentieth century clash of rival political and ethnic forces. Grant's story of this bloody and often overlooked conflict is capably told. Using the approaches that typify the "Atlas of Conflicts" series to which this book belongs the author combines a readable narrative with numerous photographs and colorful maps. In fact, the maps go a long way toward explaining the geography and the events that the author discusses. Also included are sidebars that capture interesting quotations and bits of information related to the text's central themes. The Korean War is a strong work of history that elucidates a conflict that was both an important element of the Cold War and a forgotten chapter in American history. 2005, World Almanac Library, Ages 12 up.
—Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-Both authors begin by recounting the background to the conflicts, and then provide objective overviews of their military, diplomatic, and political aspects. Grant concludes with an analysis of the consequences of the Korean War. Woolf ends with a discussion of the prospects for peace in the Middle East, but does not include information about Arafat's recent death and its implications for the peace process. Both of these informative books make extensive use of maps to illustrate their discussions. These maps will definitely help students understand how the geography of the regions influenced the conflicts as well as the specifics of strategies, battle plans, and occupations. Each volume also includes some paragraph-length profiles of relevant military and civilian leaders and statistical information about participating personnel and casualties. Black-and-white and color photos and reproductions add interest. Although these books do not have the level of detail found in Maurice Isserman's Korean War (Facts On File, 2003), their many maps and charts will help students better understand these conflicts. Good introductory choices.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.