Fifty years after the Korean conflict; what is a forgotten war for some Americans is an aching memory for China. With over a million casualties out of the three million soldiers sent into battle; that war looms as large for the People's Republic of China (PRC)-barely a year old when North Korea invaded the South-as World War II does for most other countries. It was the first international war fought by the Chinese Communist regime to halt counterrevolution; it was also a war that the Chinese fully expected to win; by virtue of not only superiority of numbers but also their soldiers' superior "political quality." This book presents a mosaic of memoirs by key Chinese military commanders from that war; drawing not only on their personal papers but also on still-classified archives and on Chinese-language sources unavailable in English. It offers an uncensored; behind-the-scenes story of the Communist campaign; from the decision to intervene through the truce negotiations; that discloses new information on such facets of the war as strategy and tactics; use of propaganda; and mobilization of the Chinese population. It also reveals the generals' concerns about the possible use of nuclear force and the alleged use of biological and chemical weapons by the United States. The book contains a wealth of new materials on the Chinese intervention; including combat operations; logistics; political control; field command; and communications. Among those whose recollections are recorded; then-acting Chief of Staff Nie Rongzhen reveals how party leadership decided on intervention; Commander in Chief Peng Dehuai provides personal accounts of major battles and communications with Mao; and General Yang Dezhi shares secrets of Chinese military strategy and tactics; discussing how the army orchestrated each battle to contend with the better equipped UN forces. The volume also features an updated short history of the PRC's conduct of the war based on Chinese sources; plus rare photos from Chinese archives that put readers behind the lines from the Chinese side. Mao's Generals Remember Korea demonstrates that the PRC continues to draw military; diplomatic; and strategic lessons from the war it fought fifty years ago with the world's most powerful military force. It offers valuable insight into the Chinese way of war and the military mind of Mao that will be a rich resource for Asian and military scholars.
#1472253 in Books Ford Daniel 2016-06-24Original language:English 9.00 x .76 x 6.00l; .99 #File Name: 0692734732336 pagesFlying Tigers Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers 1941 1942
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. High flying history of the highest caliber.By Jeff JelletsDaniel Ford’s Flying Tigers is the high-flying history of a group of American aviators who took to the skies over southeast Asia in 1941 to challenge the seemingly unstoppable military might of the Japanese empire; which had begun its juggernaut –like march across much of Asia and the Pacific. Lured by promises of high pay and bounties by the beleaguered Chinese government; the rough-and-tumble Americans flew with guts and bravado and; though nearly always outnumbered and under-supplied; downed more than 100 Japanese planes from 1941 through 1942.This is fantastic history; painstakingly researched by author Daniel Ford; from a composite of both western and eastern sources that is sweeping in scope and balanced in perspective. At the same time; this is far from a stodgy historical tome; the dogfights are pulse-poundingly recreated from the hammer of the machine guns to whine of straining engines and propellers. Ford evokes all the nail-biting chaos and split-second maneuvering of aerial combat; drawing directly from the logs; diaries; and records of the combatants. I know (only because Ford clues us in the preface) that there is considerable controversy regarding the number of “kills†accredited to the Tigers; but whatever the actual number is; it does little to diminish the bravery or gumption of the pilots. (And to be fair; by the close of the book; Ford often a pretty good case when it comes to the final tally of downed aircraft).This is also not a novel penned through rose-colored glasses. Ford acknowledges that while patriotism played a role; money was also a motivator. There’s certainly a sense of a proto-military-industrialism among some of the backers of the AVG operation; and the Tigers themselves tend toward the Hand Solo-side of things rather than the more altruistic Luke Skywalker-type. Throw in femme fatales like green-eyed Olga Greenlaw and the mysterious Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the mythology fairly writes itself. To his credit; Ford doesn’t give in to this lure and sticks to the facts; but the characters; locale; time period; and subject matter are simply irresistible and fairly beg for pulpy fictionalization.Bottom line ... Ford delivers a solid historical narrative that never skimps on the details; but reads like an adventure novel. Bravo! And; to echo the author; all honor to the men and women of the Flying Tigers.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A great source for a research paperBy JonathanFord's "Flying Tigers" is the best; most thorough history of the American Volunteer Group I have read to date. It is an enjoyable read; rich in detail; and has just enough personal drama without compromising its historical integrity. Many reviewers have already focused on reviewing the book in general; but I'd like to focus on one particular application of the book: as a great source for a research paper.First off; the AVG is an excellent topic for a research paper. World War II was such a big war; you can take an entire college-level class on the conflict and never hear the AVG mentioned (as I did); and professors tend to like it when their students choose a topic that was not covered extensively in class (said my professor: "I'm telling you right now; I do not want ANOTHER paper on D-Day").Obviously; anyone writing a paper will want more than one source; but Ford has written an easily-comprehended and almost totally comprehensive book. I used roughly six sources for my 13-page paper; and of the 75+ citations I made Ford's book was in all but two of them.Ford covers two areas primarily: the career of Claire Chennault up until the AVG disbanded; and the actions of the Flying Tigers while they were still the AVG. If your paper would need detailed information of the Sino-Japanese conflict leading up to 1941; or to cover anything after the AVG disbanded (note that the US Army force that moved in to replace the AVG also called themselves the "Flying Tigers; so don't be confused); you would need to read something else in addition to this book (such as Into the Teeth of the Tiger; which is a autobiography that documents a good chunk of the post-AVG conflict with cameos from major characters from Ford's book).And; of infinite value to someone writing a paper; Ford's book features an extensive index and appendices for quick reference.As far as sources go; Ford's book is hard to beat. If you are in a modern or military history class and are hunting for a topic; consider the AVG. Ford's book will make your life much easier.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is a very in-depth book covering not just the ...By Dues'y H.This is a very in-depth book covering not just the American Volunteer Group (AVG) but both sides and views of events that took place. It deals with personalities and mistakes made by Americans and Japanese; various type aircraft used and tactics; operating with extreme shortages; It is also a story about a small group of men and aircraft who endeared themselves to Chinese people; made the only "good news" at wars beginning and carved a niche in the history books for their exploits..
