The Korean War

A narrative history of the Korean War by bestselling author Sir Max Hastings

The Korean War is journalist and military historian Sir Max Hastings’ compelling account of the forgotten war.

'The best narrative history of the Korean conflict' – Guardian

On 25 June 1950 the invasion of South Korea by the Communist North launched one of the bloodiest conflicts of the last century. The seemingly limitless power of the Chinese-backed North was thrown against the ferocious firepower of the UN-backed South in a war that can be seen today as the stark prelude to Vietnam.

Max Hastings draws on first-hand accounts of those who fought on both sides to produce this vivid and incisive reassessment of the Korean War, bringing the military and human dimensions into sharp focus. Critically acclaimed on publication, republished with an introduction from the author, The Korean War remains the best narrative history of this conflict.

'A brilliant tour-de-force' – Times Literary Supplement

'Excellent, readable history by a master of the genre' – Daily Mail

'This book establishes him as one of the leading British military historians.' – New York Times