On Desperate Ground

The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle

De: Hampton Sides

Narrado por: David Pittu

"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Hampton Sides' superb account of this epic clash relies on years of archival research, unpublished letters, declassified documents, and interviews with scores of marines and Koreans who survived the siege.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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Superb...a masterpiece of thorough research, deft pacing and arresting detail...Sides shows how brave Marines - officers and grunts - innovated, organized, and blasted their way out of the trap their fabulously famous boss had helped set. 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)

“To this pantheon [of the best books on the Korean War] we can now add Hampton Sides’ On Desperate Ground, which hits all the right notes.... It’s a story Marines are rightly proud of and one that should be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the remains that just returned home from Korea, and why those men deserve to be remembered.” (Wall St. Journal)

"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)

“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 US 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)

History to life

I heard of this battle while I was is 6th grade in 1964. This book brought what I was taught to life. To think that they went through this hell and came changed as they were. This is a must for anyone that is curious of the geopolitical of the time and why we must prevent war, not go forward willy-nilly .

Incredible

Gripping from begging to end. The story is one we know of, but not in such detail. I love perspective of the generals, mixed with officers, and troops on the ground in the battle. Beautifully written and narrated. Hampton Sides is one of the best historical authors out there! Give it a listen! You wont regret this one.

Must Read

This was an excellent book. I enjoyed the history and the intimacy created. This should be required reading.

great story

well written narrative of Marines doing their job and creating the freedoms we unit today

Excellent history and story

It’s difficult to write something as meaningless as a review in regard to what these marines, soldiers and naval personnel did in this operation.

The conditions, opposition and leadership (good and bad) create a story that is unmatched in American military history.

As a former infantry soldier with deep pride in the US Army, my respect for the US Marines is deep, complete and untiring both in regard to this operation and their entire history.

Absolute must-listen

This book is incredible, moving and heart-rending and brutally honest. David Pittu did an amazing job with his narration, not flinching from the subject matter and giving the work the weight and respect it deserves.

Excellent story of the Marine Corps

An exciting and thorough story of the human sacrifice, pain, and death in some of the most horrific fighting conditions known to man.

Great story

Very much enjoyed the way this was written and read. Had a personal feel as well as factual.

great book

great book, a very good insight into the life of a solider early in us involvement in the Vietnam war.

Outstanding in Every Way

Hampton Sides is one of the best non-fiction authors I've ever read. His writing style and his use of language is masterful. This is my first Sides book and I will read anything he writes now. The narrator was excellent, never a distraction.

The only small criticism that was a distraction each time used, was his referring to military awards. EX: "For his extraordinary actions in battle, Johnny won the Congressional Medal of Honor." No member of the military ever sets out "to win" any medal or award.....this implies a contest or competition; furthest from any and all motivations in combat. A Silver Star or other award for valor on the battlefield is awarded and "received" never sought or won.

Overall, this book was amazing..... I really did not want to stop reading.