A review by maozetinna
The Korean War: A History by Bruce Cumings

5.0

Not so much about the “Korean War” but rather jumps around to different points of 20th century Korean history as a whole. Exposing the many ties between the U.S, South Korea, and the Japanese occupation was eye opening, as well as covering some of the massacres committed in South Korea from 1945 to 1950 which gives a new perspective on the mainstream story pushed by Americans, that being of an unprovoked attack by North Korea in 1950. It mostly serves to contextualize the 1950-1953 conflict and provide an introduction to the circumstances beyond “Americans are helping South Korea fight against communists” and if that’s your understanding of this period in history than this book is highly recommended.