NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The master of military historical fiction turns his discerning eye to the Korean War in this riveting novel, which tells the dramatic story of the Americans and the Chinese who squared off in one of the deadliest campaigns in the annals of combat: the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as Frozen Chosin. June 1950. The North Korean army invades South Korea, intent … invades South Korea, intent on uniting the country under Communist rule. In response, the United States mobilizes a force to defend the overmatched South Korean troops, and together they drive the North Koreans back to their border with China.
But several hundred thousand Chinese troops have entered Korea, laying massive traps for the Allies. In November 1950, the Chinese spring those traps. Allied forces, already battling stunningly cold weather, find themselves caught completely off guard as the Chinese advance around the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. A force that once stood on the precipice of victory now finds itself on the brink of annihilation. Assured by General Douglas MacArthur that they would be home by Christmas, the soldiers and Marines fight for their lives against the most brutal weather conditions imaginable—and an enemy that outnumbers them more than six to one.
The Frozen Hours tells the story of Frozen Chosin from multiple points of view: Oliver P. Smith, the commanding general of the American 1st Marine Division, who famously redefined retreat as “advancing in a different direction”; Marine Private Pete Riley, a World War II veteran who now faces the greatest fight of his life; and the Chinese commander Sung Shi-Lun, charged with destroying the Americans he has so completely surrounded, ever aware that above him, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung watches his every move.
Written with the propulsive force Jeff Shaara brings to all his novels of combat and courage, The Frozen Hours transports us to the critical moment in the history of America’s “Forgotten War,” when the fate of the Korean peninsula lay in the hands of a brave band of brothers battling both the elements and a determined, implacable foe.
“A military story as dramatic and heroic as any that exists.”—The American Interest
“The Frozen Hours . . . illustrates again Shaara’s mastery. . . . This is fiction and history at their blended best.”—Marine Corps Gazette
“Marvelously effective storytelling . . . that shows us what warfare feels like both to those who plan campaigns and those who execute them . . . gripping, precisely detailed historical fiction.”—Booklist (starred review)
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Any story by this author is recommend. I know the truth is told in his stories, even the fictional parts are made real by his characters and can be recognized by someone who has never had to stand in the way of hazzard.
Excellent book. I highly recommend it. Everything this man writes is a great read.
Anything by Jeff Shaara is worth reading, simply for the prose and way he weaves the story. I had read the history of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir and understood the events before. This book drives home the emotion: the fear of being alone during an attack, the horror of the cold and how it dominated everything, and finally, the intense relief of evacuation for those who survived.
Frozen Hours is Mr. Shaara’s look at the beginnings of the Korean War. Frozen because of the men at Choisin Reservoir. How our troops were surrounded and how General MacArthur and his staff were so out of touch with what was actually taking place. Of course, with all of them being in Tokyo might have something to do with it plus the idea that no the Chinese were not sending any troops, when in fact approximately 140,000 men were sent in and ended surrounding our troops. Now, of course, men are working together to survive and to bring each other out of that hell hole.
Once again just one look at the war, not the entire war or all of the battles going on between Truman and MacArthur. You do get to see MacArthur arrogance and how it is passed on to Almond. He also takes through General Smith who I think is forgotten and how he and his staff work to bring the men out and not abandon them. The author once again takes you through the fighting with soldiers from both sides which always adds to the story. Overall another good book by this author. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at http://www.1rad-readerreviews.com
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Mr Shaara’s books. History made more interesting.
Gritty, powerful, important
I knew little about the Korean War before reading this book (aside from watching many episodes of “MASH” in my youth). The battles at the Chosin Reservoir had to have been some of the worst battles ever fought, if only because half the battle was against the awful cold weather (30-40 degrees below zero). The tens of thousands Chinese were fighting with virtually no weapons against the much better armed, but far fewer in number UN troops (mostly comprised of US Army and Marine soldiers). The only victor in this novel was the cold weather.
I learned a little history!
Frozen Hours is a great book; informative with great characters, A story of honor and heroism set in the Korean war centered around the allied landing at Pusan through Chinese offensive and the Chosin battles. The flow of the book is such that it’s very hard to put down.
Fantastic telling of the Chosin Resevoir
Want to learn about the Korean War? This book is a great place to start.
Probably the best telling of the Chosin Reservoir battle during the Korean war that I have read. Like his other books based on actual events, Shaara does a masterful job of using his characters to tell the story of momentous events.
A great read. Get your map(s) of North Korea out so you can follow the actions.
Great read. Giving voice to historical characters was great.
I thank God that there are men like those Marines who went through that ordeal and attacked in a different direction. My respect for General McGarther has greatly diminished.
Best Korean war story ever.
This is a very well written book about the courage of the soldiers who faced overwhelming odds – with the brutal cold weather being the worst enemy. I am truly amazed at what these soldiers had to go through.
Excellent book about. Frozen Chosin. Covers both sides of the conflict. Great!!!!
Action packed filled with individual heros.
Very good and readable history of the Korean war. Good characters development that ties you to the people as well as the history.