In time for the 50th anniversary of the so-called "Good War"--the first of the U.N. wars--an authoritative work of history by a man who braved the battles, set in the midst of international power politics and fears of a general conflagration, the Korean War at its height involved rapid, large-scale troop movements over long distances as each side experienced both outstanding success and disaster. This book tells the full story of the first, and critical, test by the Communist bloc of Western military resolve. Instead of concentrating wholly on the dominant American involvement, Michael Hickey also sets in context the contributions--many of them quite out of proportion to the size of their contingents--of the other nations that answered the U.N. call and sent troops in response to the North Koreans' surprise attack.Drawing on a number of previously unused sources from several countries, including recently declassified documents, regimental archives, diaries, and interviews, Michael Hickey adds extensively to our knowledge of one of the most significant conflicts of modern times."...stimulating and perceptive...a thoroughly accomplished piece of work." --The Independent on Sunday"The main strength of Hickey's excellent account is its ability to combine solid analysis of high politics and strategy with gripping (and often horrifying) eye-witness accounts of life at the sharp end." --The Sunday Telegraph