ebooks Accordion War: Korea 1951: Life and Death in a Marine Rifle Company by Charles Hughes in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Reviewing Accordion War: Korea 1951 -- Life and Death in a Marine Rifle CompanyBy CustomerBy way of full disclosure; Doc Hughes is both a longtime HSU colleague of mine and a friend as well. I have known him as a quiet man who does not seek attention; preferring to let it flow naturally from his teaching and writing skills. Further disclosure: since taking my doctorate in 1972; I doubt I have read more than 4 or 5 non-fiction books (though I have read thousands of fictional works). Perhaps it means something; therefore; when I say that Accordion War: Korea 1951 -- Life and Death in a Marine Rifle Company is the only non-fiction book I have read more than once. His rhetoric is such that this book has the feel of a good story; and his approach to the subject of war is so balanced as to offend no one who is half sane on the topic. The mark of excellence in treating sensitive topics like war; death; and life is; so it seems to me; the author's ability to avoid burdening his vehicle with ideology or blatant didacticism. In this book; the great literary themes are subtly interlaced with a "grunt's eye view" of life as a mud-marine walking point; keeping interval; and digging-in. While he doffs his cap in the direction of touchstones like Chesty Puller and the heroes of "Frozen Chosin;" the narrative never devolves to simply a "gungy" tribute to the Corps. And his matter-of-fact descriptions of a head half-filled with rain or a marine picking up his severed hand do more to illustrate the horrors of war than all of Hollywood's special effects. If you want a serious; sensible look at Korea from the ground up; told by a wordsmith whose prose I envy and a hero who refuses to "sing" himself; please treat yourself to Accordion War. You will have reason to congratulate yourself on the choice. Charles A. Weiner; Ed. D.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. "Doc" tells it like it wasBy Howard S. BrowneDisclosure: I was there with the Division at the time he writes about. There are several books on Korea from the infantryman's viewpoint. This book gives the Navy Hospital Corpsman's. All that needs be said is that the Marines don't give their approval lightly. Corpsmen earn it; in spades. The fourth (?) phase of the war (Pusan perimeter; Inchon; Reservoir; "Accordion War of early 1951) was his territory. He writes about it with lucidity and modesty. I don't mind that he digresses from time to time to give his view of the history of Korea; the war itself; and some of the personalities. He gives credit where it was due; and points the finger where it wasn't.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Accordion war.By AngelaI liked this book because the person who told his story about his place in the Korean war; the war not much talked about ;because of hisexperience in that war; I now understand what the Korean war was all about. I think if anyone like me; who never thought much about this war will get a clear understanding of the horrors our troops went through in the coldest hell of their lives. My heart went out to each and every one of these brave troops; as they gave their lives and limbs; not only for the USA;but because of them; South Korea is what it is today.