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 enlarge | Author: James Brady
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $2.18
You Save: $13.77 (86%)
New (28) Used (41) Collectible (2) from $2.18
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 289759
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0312265115
Dewey Decimal Number: 951.9042
EAN: 9780312265113
ASIN: 0312265115
Publication Date: June 8, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Normal used cover and page wear. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Brought back memories January 15, 2007
I served in Korea with 3/7, USMC from Nov 1951 to Nov 1952.
This was a vivid reminder of that cold inhospitable place. The authot invoked many memories and for a moment I felt the bone numbing cold even in my warm home.
Although Brady was an officer and I an enlistem man we share the honor of being awarded the Title Unites States Marine.
Every Marine will appreciate this book
 A powerful look at Marines at war in Korea February 16, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
In "The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea," author James Brady vividly describes what it was like to be a junior officer in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Brady notes the irony of his decision to sign up for a Marine Corps officer training program: "I'd joined up to dodge the draft and ended up being sent to war." He gives many insights into the positions he held: platoon leader, company executive officer, and battalion intelligence officer. His narrative also illuminates the culture and organization of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Brady's story is rich in details of life in the Korean war zone. He discusses food, clothing, recreation, relationships among the Marines, and encounters with Korean civilians. The text is also full of fascinating technical details about the tactics and hardware of war; I was particularly interested in his passages about the mortarman's deadly art and the usefulness of the Browning Automatic Rifle. Brady makes the story come to life with his evocative descriptions of sounds of different weapons, the sizzle of hot brass hitting the snow, and other realities of wartime. He doesn't shy away from discussing the real down-and-dirty details of his service. He vividly describes the personal hygiene aspect of front-line duty; I found a dry humor to his graphic discourse on one of the unpleasant side effects of not bathing for a long time.
Brady's story includes vivid anecdotes about revelry at a British officers' mess, a visit to the relative luxury of a hospital ship, and more. He also recalls the punishingly cold weather, and includes some gripping accounts of combat. He presents the violence, death, and destruction of war without flinching. The text is enhanced by several black-and-white photos showing Brady, his fellow Marines, and the environment in which they lived and fought. The Korean conflict has been called a "forgotten war"; this makes Brady's thoughtful, well-written personal account even more valuable. It's both an important historical document and a powerful piece of literature.
A two night read an well worth it February 5, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I do not know James Brady and hae no connection to him. I know him mostly from his good writing in Crain's New York Business. His Memoir of Korea was simply a great and compelling read. It was like being in front of a fire with a vintage port wine, a Cuban cigar and a friend who finally decides to tell you his story. That the friend is a master racounteur (sp?) helps and that James Brady has one hell of story to tell also helps. Thanks Mr. Brady. Here's to you and your buddies who sacrificed so much. May all your nights be warm.
5 Stars. October 1, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
My criteria for a book is simple. The writing has to be good: This one is well-written. A book has to capture my attention: This one does that. And a good book should never break-the-spell with crude interruptions...like gross factual errors, improbable-implausible action, and gross incongruence in the traits of the character's. There are no "What in hell was that all about?" moments in this book. Brady's experience in Korea is similar to my Vietnam experience, and it's similar to other recollections of Korea. But the bottom-line is: Is this book a "keeper" for the library? It is.
 story fair for professional writer January 4, 2005
11 out of 16 found this review helpful
while it is true that Mr. Brady was a Marine and in the Korean War, his writing 45+ years later leaves doubts about it. For example the word Marine is alwaysa used as as proper noun, yet in none of his books does he do this. Secondly, Marines don't wear FATIGUES, they wear UTILITIES. They wear trousers, not pants. Finally, the rank Gunnery Sgt. did not exist during Korea, that rank came out in around '59 or so. The gunny of Korea was a Tech Sdt. for a good book on Korea, read COLDER THAN HELL by Owens, or THE LAST PARRALEL.
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