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Who will rule: a general or a president? -- Origins of the Far East dilemma -- The American attempt at stability -- War and the quarantine of Taiwan -- MacArthur vists Chiang Kai-shek -- MacArthur openly defies Truman -- Inchon -- The attempt to conquer North Korea -- Return to containment -- The search for a way out -- MarArthur stops a cease-fire -- Return of the hero -- No vindication in Congress -- The triumph of civilian control.
Summary
"As a United States general, he had an unparalleled genius for military strategy, and it was under his leadership that Japan was rebuilt into a democratic ally after World War II. But MacArthur carried out his zero-sum philosophy both on and off the battlefield. During the Korean War, in defiance of President Harry S. Truman and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he pushed for an aggressive confrontation with Communist China-- a position intended to provoke a wider war, regardless of the cost or consequences. MacArthur's ambition to stamp out Communism across the globe was in direct opposition to President Truman, who was much more concerned with containing the Soviet Union than confronting Red China. The infamous clash between the two leaders was not only an epic turning point in history, but the ultimate struggle between civil and military power in the United States. While other U.S. generals have challenged presidential authority-- from Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War and George B. McClellan in the Civil War to General Stanley A. McChrystal in Afghanistan-- no other military leader has ever so brazenly attempted to dictate national policy. In MacArthur's War, Bevin Alexander details MacArthur's military and political battles, from the alliances he made with Republican leaders to the threatening ultimatum he delivered to China against orders-- the action that directly led to his dismissal on April 11, 1951."-- Publisher's description.
We blundered into the Korean War - there was lots of blame to go around. Disappointing that in the heat of the moment, Pres. Truman, JCS, Sect. State, Sect. War didn't see the big picture - nor did Gen. MacArthur nor the rabid Right & McCarthy & assorted. China also blundered.
Spector follows up on Eagle Against the Sun, his account of the American struggle against the Japanese in World War II, with a chronicle of the aftermath of this crucial conflict. He tells the fascinating story of the deadly confrontations that broke out--or merely continued--in Asia after peace was proclaimed. Under occupation by the victorious Allies, this part of the world was plunged into new power struggles, or back into old feuds, that in some ways were worse than the war itself. International suspicions were still strong; die-hard Japanese officers plotted to prevent surrender; in Manchuria, Russian "liberators" looted, raped, and killed innocent civilians; in China a fratricidal rivalry continued between Chiang Kai-shek's regime and Mao's revolutionaries; and Southeast Asia and Korea became powderkegs, with Communists only one of several competing anticolonial factions.--From publisher description.
Very good on the aftermath in immediate postwar Asia. An area that doesn't get much attention - even though we spent years & lives & money & effort in China, Korea, Vietnam.
Last edited by southwest88; 05-19-2016 at 10:01 AM..
Reason: add
Undaunted Courage - Stephen Ambrose. Fantastically well researched and written book on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Oregon Trail - Rinker Buck. Modern day crossing of the Oregon Trail by the author and his brother in a covered wagon. If you like Bill Bryson's books, you'll like this one.
Undaunted Courage - Stephen Ambrose. Fantastically well researched and written book on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Oregon Trail - Rinker Buck. Modern day crossing of the Oregon Trail by the author and his brother in a covered wagon. If you like Bill Bryson's books, you'll like this one.
I read Undaunted Courage and it was FANTASTIC. Great suggestion.
I will check out the book on the Oregon Trail.
This was an excellent book about the tragic Donner Party:
The Shark That Walks on Land: And Other Strange But True Tales of Mysterious Sea Creatures - Lots of fun, like a Ripley's Believe it or Not for grownups. I love this kind of book.
Luckily a friend recommended Brave Companions by David McCullough, who presents a fascinating array of historical characters, some forgotten, some only known sketchily. Very good reading.
Onslaught. Four invasions : September 1939-April 1940 ; Führer imperator : May-June 1940 ; Last Hope Island : June 1940-June 1941 ; Contesting the Littoral : September 1939-June 1942 ; Kicking in the door : June-December 1941 ; Tokyo typhoon : December 1941-May 1942 -- Climacteric. The everlasting shame of mankind : 1939-1945 ; Five minutes at Midway : June 1942-October 1944 ; Midnight in the devil's gardens : July 1942-May 1943 ; The motherland overwhelms the fatherland : January 1942-February 1943 ; The waves of air and sea : 1939-1945 ; Up the wasp-waist peninsula : July 1943-May 1945 -- Retribution. A salient reversal : March-August 1943 ; The cruel reality : 1939-1945 ; Norman conquest : June-August 1944 ; Western approaches : August 1944-March 1945 ; Eastern approaches : August 1943-May 1945 ; The land of the setting sun : October 1944-September 1945.
Originally published: London : Allen Lane, 2009.
Summary
A comprehensive history of World War II analyzes the factors that affected the war's outcome and presents stories of many little-known individuals whose experiences displayed the epitome of courage and self-sacrifice.
Who will rule: a general or a president? -- Origins of the Far East dilemma -- The American attempt at stability -- War and the quarantine of Taiwan -- MacArthur vists Chiang Kai-shek -- MacArthur openly defies Truman -- Inchon -- The attempt to conquer North Korea -- Return to containment -- The search for a way out -- MarArthur stops a cease-fire -- Return of the hero -- No vindication in Congress -- The triumph of civilian control.
Summary
"As a United States general, he had an unparalleled genius for military strategy, and it was under his leadership that Japan was rebuilt into a democratic ally after World War II. But MacArthur carried out his zero-sum philosophy both on and off the battlefield. During the Korean War, in defiance of President Harry S. Truman and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he pushed for an aggressive confrontation with Communist China-- a position intended to provoke a wider war, regardless of the cost or consequences. MacArthur's ambition to stamp out Communism across the globe was in direct opposition to President Truman, who was much more concerned with containing the Soviet Union than confronting Red China. The infamous clash between the two leaders was not only an epic turning point in history, but the ultimate struggle between civil and military power in the United States. While other U.S. generals have challenged presidential authority-- from Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War and George B. McClellan in the Civil War to General Stanley A. McChrystal in Afghanistan-- no other military leader has ever so brazenly attempted to dictate national policy. In MacArthur's War, Bevin Alexander details MacArthur's military and political battles, from the alliances he made with Republican leaders to the threatening ultimatum he delivered to China against orders-- the action that directly led to his dismissal on April 11, 1951."-- Publisher's description.
We blundered into the Korean War - there was lots of blame to go around. Disappointing that in the heat of the moment, Pres. Truman, JCS, Sect. State, Sect. War didn't see the big picture - nor did Gen. MacArthur nor the rabid Right & McCarthy & assorted. China also blundered.
Have you read The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang?
It's an exceptional book but the horrors inflicted on the Chinese by the Japanese are almost too much to bear.
Based on what you have been reading I think this one is a must for you.
Have you read The Rape of Nankingby Iris Chang?
It's an exceptional book but the horrors inflicted on the Chinese by the Japanese are almost too much to bear.
Based on what you have been reading I think this one is a must for you.
Yah, read it some years ago. Ugly story. Every time Japan updates their civics class curriculum, it sets off a firestorm of criticism in Philippines, Korea, Manchuria, China, Malaysia, etc. I don't think those scars will heal for a very long time.
Yes, Chang died a few years ago, in doubtful circumstances. She was only 36 - gone too soon, I think.
I would say American Sniper by Chris Kyle (different and less PC than the movie) and The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump.
Also "Who Are We" by Samuel P Huntington who deals with not just the economic but the cultural threat posed by illegal immigration, and The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza
Above all, though, the best non-fiction book ever would have to be the Bible.
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East is East & West is West
