Retreat Hell

Any one with some familiarity with the Marine Corps, has heard of the Chosin Resevoir. This book is an anthology of personal histories of the Marines who fought their way from Wonson to Chosin, and back to the sea to safety. The book begins with a very brief orientation to the geography of Korea, and with an equally brief discussion of the unprovoked North Korean attack on June 24th, 1950. Another quick chapter on the US counterattack out of the Pusan perimeter, and the reader now has the strategic overview of where the 1st MARDIV story begins. The personal recollections of the war are absolutely incredible tales. Individual rifle companies showing fire discipline, and small unit leadership held off entire regiments of Chinese soldiers -- the proverbial David vs. Goliath. All the while, fighting off temperatures that seldom reached above zero. This book is an absolute page-turner once you get into it. The epilogue contains the requisite "what happened" section, including highlighting three Marines who earned the Medal of Honor. While reading the book, their stories blend in with the other incredible tales of heroism. My only complaint is the lack of maps in the paperback edition. Spend the extra money and buy the hardcover, or go to Wikipedia and look up "Chosin Resevoir". The maps on the website perfectly complement the book.

Very good book on the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. Although it didn't have as much emotional impact or are as personal as the other books on the subject, it does give a broader picture of the campaign by displaying a great amount of information on operational details and chronology as well as the background to the campaign. It is a recommended read for anyone who is interested in at least getting a idea of what the campaign was about.

This book was my first read into finding out what my now deceased father experienced as one of the 1st Marines in Korea and Chosin. An absolutely excellent book that has fundamentally changed the way I view this Nation, my own not nearly so "forgotten" Army service some twenty years later, the Marines in general, and most importantly the incredible pride I feel towards my father's and his generation's service. This book has a great deal of detail but never drags. During some passages I would actually have to put the book down to soak in the visual images painted by the skilled story teller. To know that the events so described actually took place fills me with awe and wonder. How anyone could survive is amazing. I'm also glad I read this book first, before Lt. J. Owen's "Colder Than Hell," it made that book all the more impactful. If you do not know much about the Chosin area, go to the web and find some of the maps there to go along with your read of "Retreat Hell." I found it very helpful as that is the only area lacking in the book. Thank heavens people like Mr. Wilson have put forth the effort to create such works for future generations to learn about what "service" and "sacrifice" really means.

I had a chemistry teacher in High School who was a survivor of the Chosin Resevoir. His stories got me interested in the event. The heroism our soldiers showed battling the cold and the chinese should never be forgotten. This book, an oral history, of the campaign is top notch. You feel like you are there when you read this book. It is a fine tribute to some fine soldiers. Korea should not be the Forgotten War. This book is a must read. I had the pleasure of working in Washington DC the summer the Korean War Memorial opened. I had the pleasure of meeting many Vets who stopped at my place of work, the USHH, which was located near memorial. The vets that I met were wonderful people and they should have the thanks of this nation for what they did in Korea and especially at Chosin. This book does them justice. What a read!

One of the finest accounts of one of the most difficult campaigns in Marine Corps history. Particularly significant is that this author was not a Marine but a Soldier. Jim Wilson captures the horror, terror, and raw courage inherent in war, through the personal accounts of the men who fought this horrendous fight. This is a "must read" for anyone searching for American Heroes.