THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY, by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin.

This is the story of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division during the Chosin Reservoir fighting in late November of 1950 when China decided to get directly involved in the Korean War. In summary, Fox Company had to try and hold a vital hill / pass so that other Marine units could fight their way clear of the Chinese and make it to the coast to get out of North Korea; this book is the story of Fox Company.

This book is fantastic.

I am personally much more a fan of militaryhistory books that tell it from the viewpoint of the man on the scene so to speak, as opposed to "big picture books. This one gives "the big picture" but in the context of the individuals on the spot.

If you have an interest in Marine Corps history, this book is one you must read. I'd recommend it to anyone, and I will be reading it again personally.

Korean War history is often overlooked, when I read books like this one I can never understand why...

MW

I have to agree, this is an excellent book. One thing that I really liked about the book are the maps that show where each of the marines were located during the battle. This made it much easier for me to follow the ebb and flow of the battle.

Patrick

I wholeheartedly agree. A great read. This was one helluva fight that produced 3 MOHs. F/2/7's actions likely stopped the CCF from over-running Hagaru-ri which would have wiped out most of the 1stMarDiv. An intertesting side-bar is the number of Marines in this company ( and in other units at the Chosin) that were recently activated Reservists, many of whom who had never been to Boot Camp! I knew a few. Great Marines All! If you like military history, you'll enjoy this book. If you're a Marine, you'll like it even more!
Semper Fi......Bobgee

I read this book last month and simply couldn't put it down! The writer's style was easy to get into, unlike too many of the lately published books. They had awesome first-person accounts, and just an incredible narrative overall! I absolutely loved it and anyone interested in the Korean War (I refuse to call it "Conflict!"), and anyone whose interest is piqued by the struggle and success of an underdog must devour this book! One of the most impressive moments in Marine Corps history. It's too bad that Ned Almond was never really punished for what he did to us over there. If you enjoyed this, you really have to check out David Halberstam's The Coldest Winter. Anyway, these two authors of Last Stand also wrote Halsey's Typhoon a few years ago. I'll have to check that one out now.
Semper fi, Mac!
G

What would you expect from the United States Marines, anything less would be a dishonor to the Corps. My uncle was a 19 year old reservist on a cruise in the Med when the commies invaded. He requaled off of the fantail of the ship made a rondie with the fleet, took Inchon marched to the Chosen and killed the commies who tried to kill him. Thats what Marines do. Another uncle landed on Iwo. God Bless the Corps. By the way I'm not very PC but very proud of the USMC.

Hi If you liked this book as much as I did you might enjoy Breakout the chosin reservoir campaign by Martin Russ. These books made me appericate how good the marines of 1950 really were. Mark

This was one of the best PodCast I have ever listened to on Pritzkers Military Library. The author is a great story teller. Here is the link to the page where you can download it.
Pritzkers

No offense but I wouldn't recommend "Breakout" to anyone. There's really nothing new in it that hasn't been covered in all the other books about Chosin, and it in fact is full of defamatory untrue statements about certain army units involved. There are books that the author lists in his bibliography which actually contradict the silly accusations he makes, which leads me to that at best he just took unsubstantiated rumors and ran with them. At worst, he's fabricating things.

I have the distinct honor of knowing as a good personal friend Corporal Robert L. Gaines. CPL Gaines went on in his Marine Career and retired as a First Sergeant. He married a Marine Captain and they live happily in New Mexico. Bob is the owner of an antique store called SOB's (Sweet ole Bob's). I am looking forward to seeing him again next month when he will sign my copy of the book, Last Stand of Fox Company. Cpl Gaines is mentioned several times in the book.

MSG Leigh E Smith Jr
US Army (retired)

Hi No Offense Taken " Breakout" certainly treats the army very unfairly. I have serveral other books that see things differently than Martin Russ. I find the Chosin campaign very interesting try to read as about much it as I can. Last stand of fox co. is truely a great book. Mark