Review (PDF) Valleys Of Death: A Memoir Of The Korean War
"Richardson never pulls his punches in these vivid descriptions." --Publishers Weekly Caught in the Chinese counterattack at Unsan-one of the deadliest American battles of the Cold War Era-Colonel Bill Richardson led an Alamo like defense of the few survivors before being taken prisoner. The North Koreans marched them through sub-zero weather without food, shelter, or medical attention to the area known as Death Valley. Enduring torture designed to break the mind and body, Richardson remained strong enough to lead his fellow prisoners in resistance, sabotage, and new plans for escape.Valleys of Death is a stirring story of survival and determination, an intimate look at the soldiers who fought America's first battle of the cold war in the unvarnished words of one of their own.
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425243184
ISBN-13: 978-0425243183
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #127 in Books > History > Military > Prisoners of War #418 in Books > History > Military > Korean War #1026 in Books > History > Military > United States > Veterans
Before Vietnam became the forgotten war there was that unfortunate unpleasantness in Korea. That was 60 years ago. It ended in stalemate. That stalemate goes on today. Bill Richardson was there. He fought. He was captured. All around him people were dying. Somehow Richardson survived. Against all odds. His grit and determination are expressed in a matter of fact tone after all these years. He was held prisoner for 34 months. When it was finally over (his captivity ended with the end of hostilities), he returned to the USA. Initially welcomed as a hero, he soon realized that Americans didn't want to think about that war and the men who struggled and died there. The Korean War has faded from the memories of most of us. Richardson didn't forget. This is a powerful book. It will sear you. It will chill you. Most importantly, it will remind you of the heroism and the sacrifices that took place 60 years ago on that godforsaken ground.As North Korea rumbles with renewed aggression today we need to remember what happened there 60 years ago. Those men are vanishing as quickly today as they once did on the battlefields and in the prison camps. Age is finally stopping what the Chinese and North Koreans could not. Remember them. Honor them. Before it's too late.
I found this book to be hard to put down. The authors pull you into Sergeant Richardson's story right from the start. The writing is crisp and fast paced. A magnifigant tribute to the many men Richardson knew who did not survive the ordeal in Korea. Richardson was part of Walker's 8th Army and saw extensive combat from the Pusan Perimeter all the way north to Unsan before his capture and imprisonment. The first two thirds of the book consist of Richardson's training and combat experience while the remaining third deals with his capture, survival, liberation and return. Highly recommended.
I purchased this for my Son in law for Christmas (I know not a normal kind of Christmas gift!) lol but he had it on his Wish List!! He has already started reading it, and is very interested! It came a day earlier than expected too!!
Bill Richardson's patriotism and unfaltering courage cannot be adequately described in a "quickie" book review such as this. One must read his story for themselves.I was in the service during the Korean War and this is one of the best books on the war that I've read to date. I am saddened to remember that so many, suffered so much, to be so easily forgotten. During its 3 year duration, what Truman would call a "Police Action" cost the lives of 3,000,000 people, including more than 35,000 Americans as well as 8,500 MIA.Though few recognize it, the Korean War was the precursor of the Vietnam War. The two conflicts, separated by a decade, were inextricably linked. Returning Korean War veterans were spat on and vilified too. Most Americans however, were apathetic toward them, as if they had never been gone. And now, to add insult to injury, it is reported that Ken Burns (producer of the Civil War series) has chosen to skip over the Korean War, one of America's bloodiest conflicts, as if it were no more than a historical speed bump, and move on to the Vietnam War of which he plans to produce, what will surely be another of his excellent visual productions. Selective remembering appears easier for some than others.
Very good true account from a true hero. The Korean War was often underplayed both at the time and in present day. His experience is told just as you might hear it from a friend, without softening or fluff. Powerful and gripping.
Valley of Death is a great look into what the "forgotten war" (Korea) was all about. Seldom do people realize the volume and intensity of warfare that the Korean War produced and the influence the Chinese had in that war. The detainment portions of the book bring great insight to the savagery of communist ideals and treatment to fellow human beings. Great read.
What an amazing story! I have had the distinct pleasure of serving under Col William Richardson and knew he had been a prisoner of war during the Korean War. He never spoke of that time, so I was happy to hear of this book. It brought a like of character traits to light and made me understand how these traits made him a great commander. While serving under Col Richardson, I learned of the most important traits a Commander should possess; always keep the welfare of your soldiers is most important and second, never ask your soldiers to do anything you would not do. A great book that gave me an understanding of the pain and suffering our forces experienced during this War. And "Water Boarding" is inhumane?
Bill Richardson, in spare, gripping dialogue, reminds readers, in his "Valleys of Death" memoir, just why the Korean War should not be pigeon-holed as the forgotten war. Bravery and suffering are simply too generic of terms to describe the thread of horror that weaves itself through Richardson's account. A journey through, not only of the terror of firefights and hammering of artillery, comes the overwhelming slaughter of America's fighting men once the Chinese join the fight and pour across the 38th Parallel.The gruesome, face-to-face bayonet battles and the piling up of killed Chinese soldiers serves only as a prelude to the suffering of the end-game when Richardson is taken prisoner. His escape attempts keep the pages turning, as do the accounts of POW camp life, the stench, the starvation, the cruelty. But more than any of that, "Valleys of Death" paints a vivid portrait of propaganda and brainwashing tactics used by the Communist Chinese captorsRichardson's book is overdue--it should have come decades earlier, before Vietnam, and before the left-leaning media and academia had a chance to draw blood with their America-bashing and political correctness. It might have made a difference. .
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