• Colder than Hell

  • A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir
  • By: Joseph R. Owen
  • Narrated by: Richard Rohan
  • Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (419 ratings)

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Colder than Hell  By  cover art

Colder than Hell

By: Joseph R. Owen
Narrated by: Richard Rohan
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Publisher's summary

Joe Owen tells it like it was in this evocative story of a marine rifle company in the uncertain, early days of the Korean War. His powerful description of close combat in the snow-covered mountains of the Chosin Reservoir and of the survival spirit of his Marines provide a gritty real-life view of frontline warfare.

As a lieutenant who was with them from first muster in California, Owen was in a unique position to see the hastily assembled mix of some 200 regulars and raw reservists harden into a superb Marine rifle company. The action and narrative move fast as the company learns to fight under enemy fire, eat frozen rations, and keep pushing forward when its wounded and dead go down.

©1996 by Joseph Owen (P)1998 by the Naval Institute Press
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"Owen's firsthand account is chilling and rather wonderful." (James Brady)
"Joe Owen's account of Baker-One-Seven's courageous ordeal is blunt, authentic, and compelling - a fitting tribute to his company and to his Corps." (Col. Joseph Alexander, USMC (ret.))

What listeners say about Colder than Hell

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

First of all the narrator does a great job with the book. The book itself is a gripping tale of infantry combat in the Korean War. The author tells it like he saw it and the book does not dwell on the larger issues of the war (military or political). But if you want a great 'you are there' story of infantry combat this is one of the best accounts I have read. A classic.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

At last!

Refreshingly devoid of the clinical approach & window dressing customarily surrounding this fateful nexus of the Korean War. A well written and absorbing exposition of the early northern offensives from the perspective of those who fought them. A highly esteemed keepsake for the veterans and families of B/1/7.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Semper Fi Mortars

Loved the book. Almost made me want to reenlist. Just kidding. This book brought back a lot of memories from the time I served from 99-2003. I was in 81mm weapons platoon. These Marines were 60mm line platoon Grunts. I made several cold weather trips to Norway and Iceland but never under fire like these guys. My heart goes out to the Frozen Chosin Marines that lost their lives for our freedom in that frozen Hell Hole.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gritty Story

This was an amazing read for me I thought it was well written and narrated very well. I could picture the places the author was describing and the events being told. I really like when you hear/read material from veterans who were there and are telling you about their experiences. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys biographies, military history, and/or captivating stories.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good first Person account of the first year of the

Any additional comments?

Good first Person account of the first year of the Korean Wars first year and the 7th Marines Actions

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Great book that ties in well with another book on the Frozen Chosin called "Last Stand of Fox Company". Listening to both books back to back and listening to a lot of the same details from two different writers is a good way to pick up on the what these brave men dealt with.
Well written, well read I enjoyed them both and would highly recommend them.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Interesting Book

This book gave me a greater understanding of the Korean war from the perspective of a soldier who fought on the front line. The story moved smoothly and held my attention. The book starts slow with some background details that help set the foundation for who the soldiers are who will later be fighting so desperately for their lives. The action soon picks up and you will begin to feel like you almost know the main character as he tells the story of his experience. I highly recommend this interesting book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful..but poor word choice "Negro"???

The story was insight as it lasted...however, the author could have used a better word choice than using "Negro" over and over again. Some of his readers are offended by it including his fellow soldiers he is honoring...many readers will not appreciate the word choice. overall the story was vivid and could be a good teaching material for solders and cadets.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

heroes

Have a personal interest in the store as my grandfather was there. Is a great performance well put together story not dry like most military journals.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Read

Colder than Hell is the account of the Marines during the early days of the Battle for the Chosin Basin in North Korea In November 1950. The account reveals the brutality of the fighting with the Chinese as well as the impact of such other factors as weather, lack of proper field gear, and food upon the fighting men of Baker company.
You feel that you are right there in the trenches with them as the cold permeates your body. Thinking about -20 degree + temperatures as the norm for the day (worse at night).
You learn important facts concerning a "Forgotten War" & the sacrifices these men (and families) made.
You meet men like 1 LT Lee. His intensity first makes you hate the man but, as the story develops, you cannot help but admire him and the other men who fought in this far away learn.
I could add an epilogue to this story. Fox Company was stranded on what became know as Fox Hill. Elements of Baker Company along with Battalion Commander Davis embarked on a rescue mission to bring the remains of that Company out to safety. They were successful. This is a testament to the character of the men who fought with company.

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1 person found this helpful