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No need to mince words, fascinating, terrifying, incredible story. From a drone's eye view to individual tactics from both sides of the battlefield. It gives the reader pause to think "Where did such men come from and are they still in America"? This is a complete work of both sides. America would do well to examine the type of enemy they may very well face in the near future.

This detailed account of the US 1st Marine Division and their involvement in the early part of the Korean War is a product of diligent research from many reports and accounts from survivors. The Korean War was only recognised by the UN as an ‘Armed Conflict’ but what occurred was a major use of international armed forces on both sides involving hundreds of thousands of troops and massive casualties. The build up of the conflict stemmed from the end of WWII, the internal split within China and the initial invasion of the communist Koreans hostile takeover of the South of Korea aided by Communist China. This then involved the UN condemning the hostilities and an international force was assembled, led by the US, to combat the invasion.
The detailed involvement of the US 1st Marine Div is an education for any military historian interested in the evolution of military tactics. The actions of individuals on both sides especially at the command level clearly show the difference between the Chinese and US militaries. The one clear issue on the US side was the US Army Commanders had a negative view of the usefulness of the US Marines in a land conflict however, the Marines proved very quickly that they were quick to adapt to the battle situations they faced and employed the Marine air power available very effectively.
This should be mandatory reading today as ‘lessons learnt’ from a forgotten conflict to anyone entering the armed forces and consider the world today to that time.

"The Farthest Valley" thoroughly covers the American retreat from the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Douglas MacArthur had ordered the U.S. Army and Marine Corps to drive through North Korea to the very border of China. He predicted that the war would be over in time for Christmas. Meanwhile, reports filtered in of entire Red Chinese armies massing inside North Korea. The top American brass in Japan didn't believe it. 400,000 Chinese soldiers in North Korea? Ridiculous!

At that time, MacArthur was a legend, because his invasion at Inchon cut off the enemy in South Korea. His staff felt that they couldn't go against his judgment; his invasion had succeeded beyond all expectations. The North Koreans had swept through South Korea, yet MacArthur had soundly beaten them by cutting them off.

"The Farthest Valley" describes the Red Chinese armies as badly equipped and starving. Thousands of Chinese soldiers froze to death. Their communications were primitive; their maps were obsolete. But they vastly outnumbered the Americans. They attacked in hordes.

"The Farthest Valley" is an absolute page turner. It is mostly an overview of the war but with numerous details down to the individual soldier or Marine. I highly recommend the book.

A really great campaign history of the Korean War, and especially the US Marines' gallant "attack in a different direction" as they retreated from what became known as Frozen Chosin, where they were cut off by three times the number of Chinese who somehow managed to cross the China-North Korea frontier without notice by General MacArthur and his team back in Tokyo. Mr Wheelan uses translations of Chinese memoirs and histories to great effect. Even while cheering for the Marines, you can't help but admire the courage of the Chinese troops in their cotton uniforms and rations so scanty that they had to loot American supply dumps to keep from starving. And all this in temperatures down to 40 degrees below zero!