Uncertain partners tells for the first time the inside story of the creation of the Sino-Soviet alliance and the origins of the Korean War. Using major new documentary sources; including cables and letters between Mao Zedong and Stalin; and interviews with key Russian; Chinese; and Korean participants; the book focuses on the domestic and foreign policy decision-making in all three countries from 1945 through October 1950. The authors examine the complex relations between Stalin; Chiang Kai-shek; and Mao during the last year of the Chinese civil war and the emergence of the Cold War. They show how the interplay of perceptions; national security policies; and personalities shaped those relations and were used by the North Korean leader Kim Il Sung to win backing for the invasion of South Korea. The authors also examine the Sino-Soviet alliance; drawing on hitherto unknown secret protocols and understandings and the records of high-level planning that led to the invasion and to the Chinese intervention in Korea. The book is illustrated with 42 photographs and two maps and is the fourth volume in the series; Studies in International Security and Arms Control; sponsored by the Center for International Security and Arms Control at Stanford University.
#538920 in Books 2005-09-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .54 x 5.98l; .76 #File Name: 0803293445242 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. OutstandingBy KJAGThe authors have masterfully woven together the complexities of this campaign into an engrossing; easy-to-read and comprehend; and well-balanced book that covers the failed initiatives beginning in 1862 to the subsequent surrender of Grand Gulf in 1863 after the fall of Vicksburg. In addition to the siege of Vicksburg; the battles of Port Gibson; Raymond; Jackson; Champion Hill; Big Black River; and Port Gibson are outlined with very good maps and analyses.Other Union efforts west of the Mississippi to tie up Confederate forces and keep them from reinforcing Vicksburg or harassing Grant's troops as they marched south along the western coastline are covered; as well as the Sherman's demonstration north of Vicksburg and Grierson's cavalry raid that kept Confederate forces busy and guessing while Grant's army marched along the coastline and crossed undetected below Grand Gulf. The efforts of both Porter's brown river fleet and Farragut's blue water fleet are also given their due in neutralizing Confederate gunboats and shore batteries and closing down their transport operations; protecting Union transports; providing fire support for troops along the coastlines; and supporting siege operations. This Army/Navy collaboration is often overlooked in Union successes during the war including; but not limited to; Forts Henry and Donellson; Island #10; Shiloh; and Vicksburg. The book also provides insight into why Grant and Banks did not combine forces as directed by the Lincoln administration; why McClernand was finally sacked by Grant; and why Johnston did not bring his forces to the aid of Vicksburg.Excellent background information is provided on Vicksburg and the leaders on both sides; including a followup on their lives after the campaign. Their decisions and actions during the campaign are clearly outlined; so you can make up your own mind on how this pivotal campaign was won or lost. If you want extensive day-to-day or hour-by-hour battle details down to the regimental levels and lots of participant inputs from journals; letters; after action reports; etc.--you will need to read other books on those battles. Consider the following outstanding books as companion pieces: "Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg;" and "Grierson's Raid: A Daring Strike Through the Heart of the Confederacy." The Champion Hill book also covers the Port Gibson; Raymond; Jackson; and Big Black River battles in detail.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Battle for Vicksburg Ably RelatedBy Steven PetersonVicksburg Is the Key: The Struggle for the Mississippi River; written by William Shea and Terrence Winschel; reflects Abraham Lincoln's view that (page 1) "The Mississippi is the backbone of the rebellion. . . .[I]t is the key to the whole situation." And central to the Confederate strategy to hold the Mississippi after 1862 was Vicksburg; "The Gibraltar of the West." This book does a serviceable job of explaining the Vicksburg Campaign and the context in which that campaign took place.It begins by laying out the Civil War in the West; and the efforts by the Union to assert control over the Mississippi; from the taking of New Orleans to the success of John Pope at Island # 10. Confederate strategists came to realize the value of Vicksburg as Union forces moved upriver from New Orleans and downriver from island # 10 and Memphis. Vicksburg was transformed into a bastion to control the river from high atop the steep hill overlooking the Mississippi River.The book proceeds by describing Grant's original plan; with him heading to Vicksburg overland and Sherman by the great river. After one of Carl Van Dorn's few great successes in destroying the Union base at Holly Springs; forcing Grant to retreat; Sherman ran into a stout defense alone and was repulsed. Thereafter; the book discusses the various failed "experiments" that Grant carried out; trying to figure a way to get at Vicksburg without what would surely be a sanguinary frontal assault on the bluffs.Finally; Grant marched down the west bank of the Mississippi; crossed over at Hard Times; and began one of the most well implemented campaigns of the Civil War. First; Grant prevented General Joe Johnston from reinforcing General John Pemberton; Commander of the Vicksburg forces. Johnston was pushed out of Jackson. Thereupon; second; Grant turned to take on a mobile force sent to defeat Grant by Pemberton. At Champion Hill; Grant's forces won the day. After another reverse at the Big Black River; Pemberton's forces retreated to Vicksburg. After a futile attack on the city's works; Grant settled in for a siege. On July 4th; 1863; the defending forces surrendered to Grant. At that point; and with the later surrender of Port Hudson to Union General Nathaniel Banks; Lincoln could note that the Father of Waters flowed unvexed to the sea.The triumph of Grant was a key turning point in the Civil War. This book does a solid job in describing the events leading up to the opening of the Mississippi River as a Union stream. It provides useful maps to clarify the geography and the nature of the campaign.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive History of the Vicksburg CampaignBy ConsumerRead this before going to Vicksburg and it was helpful in refreshing the history as to what had occurred leading up to and during Grant's campaign. I took Shelby Foote's book also and found it better written and therefore more memorable in keeping the events straight in my mind. So; I give this a slightly lower mark than The Beleaguered City; but honestly; they are both so very good; that comparing them is difficult. And; it always has for me been a worthwhile endeavor to read more than one book on a subject as each author has some special quality that makes one thing or another stay with you.
