Description
Book SynopsisPresents the international history of the Korean War which argues that by its timing, its course, and its outcome it functioned as a substitute for World War III. This work draws on materials, and the archives of the United Nations, presenting a narrative of the diplomacy of the conflict and an assessment of its critical role in the Cold War.
Trade Review"Stueck has canvassed research libraries in North America, England, and Australia to give us what must stand as the most complete and intelligent international history of the war yet written."--Lloyd Gardner, Reviews in American History "Any serious student of the Korean War will want to read this book for its measured perspectives and concern to contextualize its subject."--Jeffrey Grey, Journal of Military History "Stueck has written an impressive, large-scale synthesis of the entire conflict... [He] excels at describing the intricate diplomatic maneuverings that took place throughout the war, and that were aimed at avoiding a major clash between the great powers."--David Rees, The National Interest "International history does not come much better than this... William Stueck has scoured archives on four continents to produce the most comprehensive, authoritative, and judicious single-volume treatment of the politics and diplomacy of the first major armed clash of the Cold War... The book is a tour de force."--H.W. Brands, Pacific Historical Review
Table of ContentsLIST OF MAPS ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi INTRODUCTION 3 CHAPTER 1 The Origins of the Korean War 10 CHAPTER 2 The Diplomacy of Confrontation and Consolidation 47 CHAPTER 3 Diplomacy Fails: The UN Counteroffensive and Chinese Intervention 85 CHAPTER 4 Limiting the War 127 CHAPTER 5 The Dimensions of Collective Action 167 CHAPTER 6 Armistice Talks: Origins and Initial Stages 204 CHAPTER 7 Progress 236 CHAPTER 8 Deadlock 268 CHAPTER 9 Concluding an Armistice 308 CHAPTER 10 The Korean War as International History 348 NOTES 371 BIBLIOGRAPHY 447
