A review by marywahlmeierbracciano
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam

challenging informative slow-paced

4.0

Finished just days before his death, master journalist David Halberstam’s The Coldest Winter extensively chronicles the politics surrounding the Korean War, intimately profiling key players: Truman, MacArthur, Mao, Kim Jong Il, and more.  Plentiful miscalculations on both sides—many due to flagrant racism, swollen egos, and military politics—were matched with incredible feats of bravery, talent, and selflessness by many lesser-known figures (see: Kansas’s own Fr. Kapaun).  Halberstam offers an enlightening look at cultural differences in strategy alongside personal stories from the front lines.  An excellent overview of the conflict for those curious about the “Forgotten War.”  Scott Brick’s commanding audiobook narration is superb. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture