[.ca] Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir (ISBN 0804116970)

Good read and well written:
This book is a very well written and interesting to read. The only reason it got 4 stars instead of 5 stars was because in another book either Owen was quoted on some of the things he did and said that differ from those same things done and said in this book. A good book to read if you are in any way interested in the Korean War.

Friends-wine, Wolves-gun:
I am a chinese. After reviewing most of the comments, I think I must say something. First I am very proud of my people's achievement in the Korean war. With dauntless spirit they defeated the Americans that seemed unbeatable at that time. Their supplies are poor, but their courage is admireable. With this courage the chinese have survived and thrived for five thousand years. Myriads of barbarians had been routed in front of this courage. "In Korean, the new waves of barbarians approached the gate of our home again, my fathers took up their guns, said good-bye to their wives and kids, confronted those devils manly....." Second, I am amused by many American's reluctance to accept the defeat in Korean war. This book is mere a new try to brag their so called "bravery", to dissemble the fiasco and to gain back the wretched "face". Finally I want to tell you all one Chinese aphorism: "If the friends come, we will cater to them with wine. If the wretched wolves come, we will hunt them with guns." If someday you want to invade China again, I will take up my gun, like my fathers, chase and hunt you to the hell.

Chosin Up Close And Personal:
There are essentially two ways to approach an historical review of a compaign, either as an historian who was never there (reviewing documents, etc.) and the personal viewpoint. The latter gives you a good overview of the whole campaing, whereas the former provides a very focused view. Naturally, it is best to view all options, but I prefer to read the first-person accounts for some real perspective. This is what you get--the unvarnished look at how one company dealt with the catastrophe of Chosin, turning it into a victory (no matter what the Chinese reviewer has to say). That one division, the 1st Marine Division, was able to survive against ten Chinese division, and survive intact as a fighting force, speaks volumes of the men in that division. When you read how Owen and his men coped, you can appreciate the fighting capabilities of the American soldiers--particulary when they are put in unprepared situations by idiots like MacArthur and his so-called intelligence officers in Tokyo fighting by remote-control. Owen showed how the men in the field could see the train-wreck coming, but were never listened to. This is where the first-person account deviates from the outside approach with the old "we told you so" and can prove it. I would also like to mention that I have met Owen and Chew Enn Lee, when they gave a talk on the book. You could not imagine two more opposites in personality. Lee, who goes by "Karl," is still to this day highly respected by his men. They have petitioned the Department of Defense for Karl to receive the Medal of Honor for leading part of the breakout. No matter how much they petition on his behalf, it just falls on deaf ears. I think this is just the continuation of the we-know-better-than-you that permeates the rarified air breathed by higher ups. When you see what Bob Kerrey did for his Medal of Honor--and not taking anything away from him--you wonder why Karl Lee walked away with less.

A Must Read for all MARINES:
I recently read "Colder than Hell" and found it to be one of the most motivating books that I have ever come across. Joseph Owen gives an exceptional description of the challenges that the Marines encounter while they are fighting in the Korean War. I am an active duty Marine and after reading this book I hope to display the type courage and strength that Owen and his fellow Marines of Baker-One-Seven did during the Korean War and their breakout of Chosin Reservoir. I would suggest this book to not only Marines but to any Military professional who wants an accurate, and in you face description of what the Korean War was like.

A Must Read Military History Book:
This book is a must read for any legitimate military history historian. It illustrates the changing perspective of the European concept of war in which human life has at least some meaning to the concept of war with an Asian opponent in which human life apparently is not that important. Although still very important, the "one shot, one kill" concept as applied to masses of troops for that often required "reach out and touch someone" 1,000 yard shot, must of necessity give way to the concept of a "one shot, many, many kills" concept of modern day warfare with this kind of opponent. It also illustrates the "how" of the "unexpected" Chinese ambush of the American forces. Both the Army's and the Marine's outdoor enthusiasts knew that they were there, although not in what immense strength, but military headquarters in Japan refused to believe them.