In Mortal Combat: Korea, 1950-1953

From Publishers Weekly In this Korean War history, Toland ( Infamy ) makes skillful use of material gathered in Chinese and North Korean archives and through interviews with Chinese and North Korean veterans of the 1950-1953 war. In crisp, lucid prose he relates the familiar chronology from Pusan to Panmunjom, personalizing the course of events through well-chosen anecdotes and quotes, examining from a fresh perspective the controversial aspects of the conflict, including Chinese allegations that the Americans used germ warfare, the Truman-MacArthur confrontation and American brutality against Korean civilians. The relatively static last half of the war, usually given short shrift, is here fully developed, with Toland explaining how critical the POW issue was for both sides during the truce talks. In a book full of impressive features, the most noteworthy is this: Toland has gathered previously inaccessible material enabling him to describe Mao Zedong's direct role in the war as well as that of his field commander Peng Teh-huai. The "forgotten war," in which four million people perished, has never been described more interestingly. Photos. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Toland, author of Adolf Hitler ( LJ 12/15/78), Infamy ( LJ 3/15/82), and The Rising Sun ( LJ 3/1/71), applies his skills as a popular historian to the Korean War. There is little historical background; some of the ongoing analysis is weak and poorly documented (e.g., when dealing with Chinese motives and policy-making); and there are also a few omissions and errors. Of the almost 20 maps, many are confusingly drawn and not very helpful. These problems are generally minor, however, and the story is well worth reading. Toland makes good use of participants' interviews (from both sides) to enrich the secondary literature in a lively, moving, and at times disturbing presentation. He covers strategic and tactical maneuvers, correspondents, political struggles, behind-the-lines activities, prisoners of war, and numerous acts of combat and leadership heroism (and failure) in a fluid style certain to hold the reader's attention. Highly recommended for public libraries and subject collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/91.