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On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle by Hampton Sides
notsorrycharlie's review against another edition
4.0
** I received a free copy of this book through a Goodread's Giveaway. However, I will do my best to leave an honest and unbiased review. **
I enjoyed the narrative story telling style of the book - much easier for my mind to process than reading a textbook about the subject. I also really liked that there were a lot of different perspectives from the people that were actually on the ground, rather than the vague top-down overview that most historical books lean so heavily on. This book does center around one major battle and a few related skirmishes, so it doesn't quite give you the overview of the entire war that I was looking for, but I still feel like I learned a lot of new information!
I enjoyed the narrative story telling style of the book - much easier for my mind to process than reading a textbook about the subject. I also really liked that there were a lot of different perspectives from the people that were actually on the ground, rather than the vague top-down overview that most historical books lean so heavily on. This book does center around one major battle and a few related skirmishes, so it doesn't quite give you the overview of the entire war that I was looking for, but I still feel like I learned a lot of new information!
samizimecki's review against another edition
4.0
I love when history writers are able to tell the stories of soldiers as a narrative, verses just spewing out facts and this is a great one! We follow the US Marines of 1st Division mostly through the battle of the Chosin Reservoir, and it's eye opening, mostly because of the hubris of some of the men in charge who ignored the intelligence warning about the dangers of pushing north, and the fact that this story is technically one of a retreat.
Sides does a good job of introducing the heroes of the battle in bits and pieces, making sure to recognize other soldiers who did memorable actions but were not necessarily household names. My only real complaint is that sometimes there's too many characters that only get a small section every couple chapters, so that when we later return to their stories in another small section, you tend to mix a few people up. That is the style that works best for these narratives though, so it's understandable. Also I loved that Sides included an epilogue that gave a summary of the rest of some of the main guys' lives after this battle so that the readers got some closure. 4.5 stars, rounded down for pacing
Sides does a good job of introducing the heroes of the battle in bits and pieces, making sure to recognize other soldiers who did memorable actions but were not necessarily household names. My only real complaint is that sometimes there's too many characters that only get a small section every couple chapters, so that when we later return to their stories in another small section, you tend to mix a few people up. That is the style that works best for these narratives though, so it's understandable. Also I loved that Sides included an epilogue that gave a summary of the rest of some of the main guys' lives after this battle so that the readers got some closure. 4.5 stars, rounded down for pacing
silverandbluedc's review against another edition
5.0
This was outstanding! I read quite a bit of history, but I haven’t read much on the Korean War. Hampton Sides has created a very vivid account of the horrors of this war and multiple individuals that took part in it. Highly recommended.
arielkirst's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this with almost no below surface level knowledge of the Korean War, and I came out of it with an amazing respect and appreciation for the Marines who fought. Sides brings these people to life, makes us care about them, makes us feel like we are there with them in that battle, and we feel their pain, and we care about whether they live or die, and we cheer at their victories.
This was easily one of the best historical nonfictions I've read in a decade.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the review copy! I loved it!
This was easily one of the best historical nonfictions I've read in a decade.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the review copy! I loved it!
technophile's review against another edition
4.0
There seemed to be some factual inaccuracies early on (specifically regarding how much knowledge of and agreement with MacArthur's goals and plans there was in Washington), and I think it would be well worth reading this book alongside [b:The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War|448135|The Coldest Winter America and the Korean War|David Halberstam|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1326474263l/448135._SY75_.jpg|2171159] for a great political background to the war, but the story of the Chosin Reservoir is an amazing and heartbreaking one for many reasons and this was a well-written account of it.
sevenacrebooks's review against another edition
4.0
On Desperate Ground by Hampton Sides is an incredibly well-researched account the battle at Choisin Reservoir during the Korean War. As someone who doesn't normally pick up nonfiction titles I was amazed at how quickly I was pulled in to the story of the Marines and their extraordinary heroism. Engaging writing and amazing attention to detail provides the reader with an immediate connection to not only the soldiers, but the innocent people who were affected by the war.
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
kelleymarsden's review against another edition
4.0
Truly riveting account focusing on one battle/retreat of the Korean War, with context of the entire war (which I know very little about). I need some warm happy fiction to follow this up with though.
18thstjoe's review
4.0
I would have liked more on the actual "fighting withdrawl", but this is getting me to read some other sources