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 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.

Personalizes the Korean War

I highly recommend this book, especially how it brings major and minor characters to life, addressesing what motivated some of them. Author has a different take on McArthur that I've not read about before, but it's quite interesting and adds more depth to the story. Great book.

Superb, but for one major mistake.

Halberstam does a wonderful job of chronicling the debacles and heroism of the early Korean War.

One major mistake he makes is stating that Douglas, MacArthur lost his Air Force in World War Two by allowing it to be bombed on the runways of Wake Island.

Wake was a naval base in the middle of the Pacific. It was bombed on the same day, but it was manned by Naval personnel and Marines and was not under MacArthur’s command. MacArthur’s Air Force was at Clark Field in the Philippines.

Other than that it is a rousing good story!

Arrogance

My first listen regarding the Korean War. Once I started, I could not stop. The writing made me feel as if I was on a hill watching the battles unfold. One thing I was left with was the arrogance of general MacArthur that wasted so many American lives to satisfy his own ego and sense of value. I had read two prior books about his life and career. Thus, I was aware of his inflated ego. However, the authors description of MacArthur’s approach
to the war at its inception demonstrated how that ego caused such a waste of life.

Excellent narration of a wonderful account of an untold story

My favorite Halberstam book with so much information I plan to listen to this again. What a great writer he was… and the narration couldn’t be better.

Excellent -

Halberstam at his best - this is a fantastic book, on an important subject, performed by a great narrator, and worth every minute..

great Korean War history

Wonderful book for those who need an education on how the US became involved in Korea and the drama and tragedy of the war itself. Outstanding scholarship, especially on China's involvement.