On Desperate Ground

By: Hampton Sides

Narrated by: David Pittu

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Superb... A masterpiece of thorough research, deft pacing and arresting detail... This war story - the fight to break out of a frozen hell near the Chosin Reservoir - has been told many times before. But Sides tells it exceedingly well, with fresh research, gritty scenes and cinematic sweep." (Washington Post)

From the New York Times best-selling author of Ghost Soldiers and In the Kingdom of Ice, a chronicle of the extraordinary feats of heroism by Marines called on to do the impossible during the greatest battle of the Korean War. 

On Oct. 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of UN troops in Korea, convinced President Harry Truman that the Communist forces of Kim Il-sung would be utterly defeated by Thanksgiving. The Chinese, he said with near certainty, would not intervene in the war. 

As he was speaking, 300,000 Red Chinese soldiers began secretly crossing the Manchurian border. Led by some 20,000 men of the First Marine Division, the Americans moved deep into the snowy mountains of North Korea, toward the trap Mao had set for the vainglorious MacArthur along the frozen shores of the Chosin Reservoir. What followed was one of the most heroic - and harrowing - operations in American military history, and one of the classic battles of all time. Faced with probable annihilation, and temperatures plunging to 20 degrees below zero, the surrounded, and hugely outnumbered, marines fought through the enemy forces with ferocity, ingenuity, and nearly unimaginable courage as they marched their way to the sea.  

Hampton Sides' superb account of this epic clash relies on years of archival research, unpublished letters, declassified documents, and interviews with scores of marines and Koreans who survived the siege. While expertly detailing the follies of the American leaders, On Desperate Ground is an immediate, grunt's-eye view of history, enthralling in its narrative pace and powerful in its portrayal of what ordinary men are capable of in the most extreme circumstances.  

Hampton Sides has been hailed by critics as one of the best nonfiction writers of his generation. As the Miami Herald wrote, "Sides has a novelist's eye for the propulsive elements that lend momentum and dramatic pace to the best nonfiction narratives."

©2018 Hampton Sides (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"On Desperate Ground is a masterpiece of war history, a sweeping and powerfully drawn epic of the Korean War and its mightiest battle. The astonishing heroism, resourcefulness, and grit of the Marines trapped at Chosin Reservoir boggles the mind, and Hampton Sides's telling of the story largely through the voices of those who fought (including Koreans) makes for a spellbinding and moving narrative. One of the most harrowing accounts of war I have ever read, this book is destined to become a classic." (Douglas Preston, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God)

"What a book! Through moment-by-moment, intensely-researched details, On Desperate Ground utterly immerses the reader in this harrowing battle. Hampton Sides gives us a better understanding of the history behind current U.S. relations with Korea and China while offering a series of captivating profiles in human courage - an absolutely riveting read." (Anthony Doerr, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See)

"No one writes war and extreme life-and-death tales as vividly and authentically as Hampton Sides. As a veteran of the 1st Marine Division, I found his new book about one of the most desperate battles in American history to be riveting and beautifully told. Sides gets it all right, from the heroism of the Marines trapped in the frozen mountains to the chess moves of the generals and politicians who put them there. An incredible page-turner of a book, a must-read." (William Broyles Jr., acclaimed screenwriter of Jarhead, Apollo 13, Flags of Our Fathers, and Cast Away)

Excellent page turning account

I have read Hampton Sides before and his account of this pivotal Korean War battle is well researched and writted. Great reading by David Pittu as well

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The Chosen Battle: Its Heroes and Dastards

Narration: Clear and interesting.

Content: Informative, poignant, deservedly storied account of the First Marine Division's "Attack in a Different" direction. General Smith comes across as an especially gifted, courageous general, MacArthur a pompous, insensitive ass.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very enlightening

I did not know much about the Korean War and the sacrifices made by many. The book basically tells the stories of various participants at the Reservoir, so you get different perspectives. Recommend highly if you wish to learn something about the Korean conflict.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Read this to your children

If your children know the names of all the Avengers, read this book to them so they will know the heroism and courage of their fellow Americans and our allies. We have been blessed as a nation to produce such men as this book d

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Korean War...For What Purpose?

To the extent you knew of Douglas MacArthur...your view of him may change after this read. What a terrible waste.

God Bless The Marines

Probably the best depiction of the character and tenacity of the United States Marine Corps.

Spectacular!

I’m not too familiar with the Korean War as is probably true for most Americans. This is a great intro to that obscure conflict.

Scary Read, but Too Important to Ignore

Many of the personal stories of trauma, courage and survival were difficult to hear, but so necessary to learn about if we want to understand the sacrifices made by soldiers AND the penalty of allowing poor leaders to go unchecked, i.e. Generals MacArthur and Almond.

one of the finest books on the Chosen Reservoir I

great read and background on the Korean war.
well researched. a great history lesson for all.

wow

a fantastic book, epic story, and excellent narration. read this book. another Hampton sides masterpiece