The Coldest Winter

America and the Korean War

By: David Halberstam

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

David Halberstam's magisterial and thrilling The Best and the Brightest was the defining book for the Vietnam War. More than three decades later, Halberstam used his unrivalled research and formidable journalistic skills to shed light on another dark corner in our history: the Korean War. The Coldest Winter is a successor to The Best and the Brightest, even though, in historical terms, it precedes it. Halberstam considered The Coldest Winter the best book he ever wrote, the culmination of 45 years of writing about America's postwar foreign policy.

Up until now, the Korean War has been the black hole of modern American history. The Coldest Winter changes that. Halberstam gives us a masterful narrative of the political decisions and miscalculations on both sides. He charts the disastrous path that led to the massive entry of Chinese forces near the Yalu, and that caught Douglas MacArthur and his soldiers by surprise. He provides astonishingly vivid and nuanced portraits of all the major figures: Eisenhower, Truman, Acheson, Kim, and Mao, and Generals MacArthur, Almond, and Ridgway. At the same time, Halberstam provides us with his trademark highly evocative narrative journalism, chronicling the crucial battles with reportage of the highest order.

At the heart of this audiobook are the individual stories of the soldiers on the front lines who were left to deal with the consequences of the dangerous misjudgments and competing agendas of powerful men. We meet them, follow them, and see some of the most dreadful battles in history through their eyes. As ever, Halberstam was concerned with the extraordinary courage and resolve of people asked to bear an extraordinary burden.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2007 David Halberstam (P)2007 Hyperion

Critic reviews

"Stirring....In a grand gesture of reclamation and remembrance, Mr. Halberstam has brought the war back home." (The New York Times)

"Alive with the voices of the men who fought, Halberstam's telling is a virtuoso work of history." (Publishers Weekly)

Great book, great reader

The Coldest Winter is one of the better war history books I've read or heard. The author, David Halberstam, certainly did his homework, and he tells a compelling story about the incredible bravery of the soldiers fighting the cold and the enemy, and dying because the stupidity of the senior command.
Edward Herrmann is a great reader and makes the listen all the more enjoyable.

A Must Read!

I have been a fan of David Halberstam's since I read The Best and the Brightest as a young adult. I haven't read everything he wrote, but I think this may rank with "The Best and The Brightest," both for his reporting and for the importance of what he tell us.

Not only is the Korean War a mystery to most Americans, Halberstam's book shows that there are valuable lessons to be learned by examining what happened, even though it was over 50 years ago.

I think he deserves another Pulitzer, though I do not know if that award is ever given posthumously. The only thing wrong with this book is knowing that it was his last. (Halberstam was killed in an car accident only a few days after turning in the final manuscript.)

Edward Hermann's reading was excellent, as always.

Expertly written

The narrator struggled at times with military jargon, but the exceptionally superb writing made up for it.

Complex. Must listen to final chapters again.

This was unfamiliar history. I will listen to the final chapters again as it is great story telling. My own dad was there while I was young...

Incredible

A fascinating tour of the key players and events as well as heartbreaking personal accounts of the ordinary men who endured so much.

Korean War should not be forgotten

Great overview about the Korean War and the mistakes that were made leading up to it. Great detail and storytelling surrounding the first year of the war but then it goes to a high level, leaving out what happened in the last two years. Overall worth listening to, especially if you don't know much about the Korean War.

Great summary of the beginning of the Korean War

Great book. I like that the author portrays the mistakes of McArthur and his struggles with Truman.

Very interesting account!

Great story of a point of U.S. history that was critical but relatively untold. Superb writing!

Perhaps Better Than "The Best and The Brightest"

Another amazing book by Dr. Halberstam. An essential work on leadership, failure, and courage. It also details the beginning of the U.S.'s relationship with the new China.

Korean War – forgotten now remembered. A historic must read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Coldest Winter to be better than the print version?

Only when the narration provides further depth as it does in this case.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is a story of who commanded and who followed. The main characters are the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the misdirected political and military leadership of the times. They displayed courage and comradeship in spite of their fears.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

herrmann always brings a tone of clarity and empathy toward the characters and understanding of the story being told. His narration expanded my enjoyment of the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Habersdam tells a historically accurate story based on the telling of the soldiers who had survived. For example, A machine gunner holding his position and preparing to die with his friend. No ammunition taking fire, refusing to retreat even after his fellow soldier is killed. Yet he lives to tell the tale

Any additional comments?

The recitation of historical events constrained by the span of those events can be tedious and sacrifice the reader to the gods of boredom. History is created by people each of whom have their story. History is learned when the story is told in the context of the characters personalities. Relating how a person removed by thousands of miles and high status can influence events, especially a war, is an art. An author can inform, educate and analyze beyond the comprehension of the reader. It takes a true storyteller such as Haberstam to breathe breathe life and interest to history. In The Coldest Winter he connects moments by linking human interaction with the cold facts that provide perspective for the reader.