Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir (Bluejacket Paperback Book Series)
Book Description: Joe Owen tells it like it was in this evocative, page-turning story of a Marine rifle company in the uncertain early days of the Korean War. His powerful descriptions of close combat on the snow-covered mountains of Chosin Reservoir and of the survival spirit of his Marines provide a gritty real-life view of frontline warfare. As a lieutenant who was with them from first muster, Owen was in a unique position to see the hastily assembled mix of regulars and raw reservists harden into a superb company known as Baker-One-Seven. His fast-moving narrative describes enemy night assaults, foxhole fights, patrols through Chinese lines, and dramatic examples of Medal of Honor gallantry, and he supports his account with tales from other survivors. The book was first published in hardcover in 1996 and is now also available as an audiobook.
Subjects: Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -, War & defence operations, World history, History, History - Military / War, History: World, Korea, Military - Korean War, Military - United States, Military - General,
Awesome
This book is awesome, I read it originally because my grandfather was one of the replacments in Baker 1-7 following the battle for chosin reservoir and fought at the punch bowl in 1951.
War is hell - in this case, Frozen Hell
Colder Than Hell helped me appreciate what our servicemen went through at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. My father served with the 1st Division Marines in the battle, and was a Purple Heart recipient. He died years later when I was very young and now I have an idea of what it was like.
The author starts off by talking about the 'guys' and their wives prior to being called up, and takes you through the entire battle. Regardless of where you stand on this war, there's no denying how brave these men were and the hell they went through. Semper Fi
"Band of Brothers," Korean Style...
"Colder Than Hell," is a wonderful book. It's a combination memoir and history of one rifle company during one of the most horrendous periods of fighting during the Korean War.
Mr. Owen is a good writer and he tells the story of "Baker 1/7," with a strong, narrative flow. While much of his book relates his experience commanding the Weapons Platoon, he manages to tell the rest of the company's story. The result is a unit story worthy to stand alongside the best narratives of a small unit.
The reader will finish this book with a sense of awe of the men of the 1st Marine Division (not to mention the Army troops and other UN forces who marched alongside them) and horror of the frozen hell that the Chosin campaign was. That anyone survived it was amazing. That the 1st Marine Division not only maintained it's cohesiveness, but managed to destroy many CCF divisions and make it back to friendly lines with all it's equipment, not to mention its wounded and lastly its KIAs, is a miracle.
Mr. Owen is the perfect narrator for this story. He is modest, generous in giving credit and his admiration for all his fellow Marines knows no bounds. This book should be required reading for students of the Korean War and those who have an interest in the Chosin Resevoir in particular.
"Colder Than Hell," is a true classic of Korean War literature.
Truth is painful .
Should be required reading for many of the gutless politicians of the
political LEFT ! As a Korean volunteer and veteran I appreciated the
author's credibility and his expressions of the normal interaction with
his squad members . It's a tough book but that's the job ! This case
was plaqued by McArthur level screwups . Unfortunately , Truman did not
know or remember his prior failures in the early years of WW II .
Good book for good young men . Fighting for our country is real and
personal ! I bought it for my grandson , a 1st Lt. in 82nd Airborne . Dick Jones
Cold Hard, Mean and True
You have a choice with this book. You can read it like an adventure story and be stunned by the thrilling story or you can read it like the true account it is of a horrible war. It is a stunning book. It is a must read. Forget the movies read this book. This author deserves a Pulitzer Prize for his account of Korea. He also deserves a medal.
