“The most balanced and comprehensive account of the Korean War.â€â€•The Economist Sixty years after North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea; the Korean War has not yet ended. Sheila Miyoshi Jager presents the first comprehensive history of this misunderstood war; one that risks involving the world’s superpowers―again. Her sweeping narrative ranges from the middle of the Second World War―when Korean independence was fiercely debated between Roosevelt; Stalin; and Churchill―to the present day; as North Korea; with China’s aid; stockpiles nuclear weapons while starving its people. At the center of this conflict is an ongoing struggle between North and South Korea for the mantle of Korean legitimacy; a “brother’s war;†which continues to fuel tensions on the Korean peninsula and the region. Drawing from newly available diplomatic archives in China; South Korea; and the former Soviet Union; Jager analyzes top-level military strategy. She brings to life the bitter struggles of the postwar period and shows how the conflict between the two Koreas has continued to evolve to the present; with important and tragic consequences for the region and the world. Her portraits of the many fascinating characters that populate this history―Truman; MacArthur; Kim Il Sung; Mao; Stalin; and Park Chung Hee―reveal the complexities of the Korean War and the repercussions this conflict has had on lives of many individuals; statesmen; soldiers; and ordinary people; including the millions of hungry North Koreans for whom daily existence continues to be a nightmarish struggle.The most accessible; up-to date; and balanced account yet written; illustrated with dozens of astonishing photographs and maps; Brothers at War will become the definitive chronicle of the struggle’s origins and aftermath and its global impact for years to come. 95 illustrations; 16 maps
#1160784 in Books 2006-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.70 x 6.10l; 2.60 #File Name: 0393328473976 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Amazing book; but be ready to do the work!By Kris L. WrightIt should be stated up-front that the information in this book can be overwhelming. Rodger does not intend to hold the hands of any readers attempting to make it through his comprehensive telling of the rise of the British Royal Navy as the dominant military force from the late 17th to early 19th century.That said; if one enters this adventure (and it is an adventurous read; just in the scope of what is covered); it is best to have the Wikipedia app on your smart-phone/tablet; and keep it at the ready for the sheer sake of doing side research on the politics and important historical figures that helped shape the history of this continent during this century-and-a-half of European history. Rodger's work does not focus on the chronology of historical events; assumes a level of background knowledge of the goings-on during this time; and focuses instead on the inner workings of the administration of the Royal Navy.The book is primarily broken into three subjects; and these subjects are explored for a chapter or two at a time as the book progresses through the time period covered. The subjects are as follows: Operations - focusing on the background of the engagements and explorations of the Royal Navy. The focus; however; is mostly not about describing the minute by minute details of battles like Trafalgar or The Nile; but instead about the impacts of the Navy as a whole that these operations had on the history of Europe. Administration - focusing on the inner workings and evolution of the Admiralty; Navy Board; and the men who were the important figures of shaping these organizations Social History - describing the impacts that the Royal Navy was having on the people of Europe; and the impacts that the people of Europe were having on the Royal Navy. These sections are not primarily re-tellings of the overall history of Europe during this time; but there is enough of that here to keep you interested in doing background research on your own to fill in the missing piecesOverall; this is an extremely thorough historical text; and if one is ready and willing to do the work it takes to have the entire perspective of the information that Rodger presents in this book; it is well worth the time.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well-written but Solid ReadBy zoostraThis is seriously dense with facts; but is written ina thoroughly engaging writing style.Each chapter is relatively easy to grasp and willend with well argued conclusions. Nevertheless;you would need to read each chapter 20+ timesbefore you could remember all the facts.Always mindful of the strategic and grand strategicit constantly drills down to the contributions ofleadership; relationships; tactics; supply;shipbuilding and the like. The role of winds andcurrents also show the chokepoints of the seas.Every chapter produces well arguedhistorical conclusions. For example; the firstcouple of chapters show that Oliver Cromwell;who executed the King and distrusted theRoyal Navy; was also the 'father' of England'snaval dominance.This was based on his paranoia that the otherkingdoms / states of Europe were intent ondestroying the 'kingslayer'.Cromwell's army henchmen broughtdisciplined command; control andcommunications to the navy; whichpreviously had ships act independently;and built the efficient naval bureaucracyand logistics infrastructure that made itthe world's best.No prior knowledge required although I didhave to look up 'victual' which means'provisions'.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Naval Supremacy!By GeraldtonjjeeperFollowing on from "Safeguard of the Sea"; N.A.M. Rodgers continues his meticulous research and writes of the twists and turns; the battles and troubles overcome to build what was; for a couple of hundred years; the world's most powerful navy! The financing; management; crewing; rigging and building of these magnificent sailing fortresses is covered in his usual over abundance of information! Wonderfully replete after reading these two books; I look forward to the third book; should it ever hit the shelves! Thank you Mr Rodgers for the knowledge!!!
