The Korean War: The West Confronts Communism

by Michael Hickey

Waged half a century ago, the three-year Korean War has been called "America's first Vietnam." It was also the first flash of fire in an otherwise cold war between the forces of capitalism and those of communism. Little was written about the war for many years, as if it were something best forgotten. Recently, books such as Martin Russ's controversial Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 and Stanley Weintraub's MacArthur's War: Korea and the Undoing of an American Hero have brought renewed attention to the bloody ordeal.

Michael Hickey offers a valuable contribution to the literature with The Korean War, which examines the conflict from the point of view of America's United Nations allies, an international force comprising contingents from Turkey, England, India, Australia, Canada, Belgium, and Norway, among other countries. Hickey, who served as a lieutenant in the British forces (he modestly describes himself as an "insignificant packhorse"), examines the debates surrounding UN involvement and the British government's fear of parting ways with the Truman administration over the best approach to containing North Korean and Chinese ambitions. Hickey acknowledges events that are now much in the news, such as the South Korean military's murder of thousands of civilians thought to be sympathetic to the North. And he ventures the view that China was drawn somewhat unwillingly into the conflict after General Douglas MacArthur led a surprisingly effective counteroffensive deep into North Korean territory, uncomfortably close to the Chinese border. Yet Hickey is no apologist. He observes that the war was "well worth the effort," for with it world communism "was firmly confronted and rebuffed." Well written and carefully documented, his book offers a thoughtful history of a conflict that still haunts our time. --Gregory McNamee

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction, Military History

397 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2000

About the author

There is more than one person in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for Michael ^ Hickey.

Reviews

[David Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I finished The Korean War: The West Confronts Communism by Michael Hickey. A really good book that missed being great. A history on The Korean War by a soldier who fought for the United Kingdom and was going to bring the perspective of the non U.S. soldiers who fought under the auspices of the United Nations.

I expected a integrated history of The Korean War and in some respects it was wildly successful bringing the face of the war and the contributions of the U.K. and other members of the Commonwealth Contigent. The book to a lesser degree touched on contributions of India, Pakistan, Greece, Turkey and Columbia as well as aspects of the war from the North Koreans, China and The Soviet Union. So far wildly successful.
The big at a high level desks with the origins of the war, the failure of the Truman administration and Dean Acheson to leave Korea out of the strategic concerns of the United States in the Far East and the consequences of this oversight. Their is a fair degree of attention given to the early days of the war and the lack of resources and professionalism and preparation of the available soldiers by the U.S.
The leadership both good and bad by General Douglas MacArthur including his finest moments in risking the integrity of the Pusan Perimeter for the amphibious landing at Inchon.

The book takes the reader through learning and relearning of small unit tactics as well and leadership from the lowest to highest levels. The insubordination and sacking of MacArthur for Matthew Ridgeway.

The book also reviews at a high level the peace talks as well as the problems and the prisoners camps on both sides.

Where the book fails in my opinion is in having a well defined integrated history of the war by U.N. forces it is instead a book heavily dedicated to the history of the Commonwealth Forces. If the book had achieved a fully integrated history of United Nation forces and the Communist forces it would have been a even better history of the war.

Well worth the reading but so close to a great history, but alas falls short a 3.3 to 4 star review of the book.

[Bill V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew very little about the Korean War prior to reading this book. The author writes in an interesting fashion but given he served as a British serviceman in Korea during the war he stresses the international or non American involvement in the conflict. I would say close to half of the book covers the British and while they and the other United Nations' countries certainly contributed, their coverage is out of proportion compared to what the United States put into the effort. This is an an informative read but I would have been better off reading a different title for mt first book on this war.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely detailed read of the Korean War (1950-1953). It is very much recommended. while focusing on the British efforts as well, Hickey gives details in such battles such as Pusan, Chosin, and Kapyong, and dives into the war in such amazing detail.

[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of a major battle in the Korean War. A must read for anyone interested in this conflict.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the war in Korea, focusing on the U.S. forces as well the British and Commonwealth troops. Five years after the end of WWII, South Korea became the target of the North Koreans who wanted to unite the two countries under their rule. The early days saw many defeats until the United Nations forces were forced into the Pusan Perimeter. Under the command of Douglas MacArthur, the UN forces held on and finally fought their way to Inchon, and into North Korea.

I have read other books on Korea, but most are American-oriented while this book does justice to the allies who supported the Americans. Many countries such as Britain were still feeling the effects of WWII, financially and with regard to their weapons. There was much to learn. Unfortunately, MacArthur made several crucial mistakes which cost lives and brought in the Chinese.

The spectre of nuclear war haunted the world for decades; this book provides a detailed look at what could have been the beginning of a horrible tragedy. A divided Korea may not be a good thing, but it could have been worse--much worse.