Martin Russ's controversial book Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 tells the riveting story of how 12,000 Army personnel and Marines fought their way out of an encirclement by more than 60,000 Chinese soldiers. A Marine wounded in combat during the Korean War, Russ writes with a passion for the men who endured freezing temperatures and scaled treacherous mountains while continuing to strike the enemy as they advanced toward safety.

While many accounts of modern war bog readers down in a morass of military and administrative details, Russ's history so clearly distinguishes the various units, locations, and personalities that shaped the campaign that it could easily be compared with the finest novels of battle, including Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels. Expertly moving between American, Chinese, and Korean points of view, Russ argues that the Marines were trapped at Chosin because of the arrogance of Douglas MacArthur, the incompetence of the U.S. Army, and the disciplined planning of the Chinese generals.

Celebrated for his brilliant war memoir, The Last Parallel, Russ has provoked criticism for his tendency in Breakout to disparage the U.S. Army. However, his quotations of numerous dispatches showing Marine commanders' concern about advancing into the Chosin area, as well as his consistent portrayal of Army officers' ineptitude, lend credence to his argument that it was the particular esprit de corps of the Marines that prevented the disintegration of American forces in the freezing wastes of North Korea. --James Highfill


From Publishers Weekly
In the annals of American heroic stands against long odds, Chosin Reservoir stands with the Alamo and BataanAwith the bonus of a happy ending. Russ (The Last Parallel) has written the definitive account of the 1st Marine Division's epic breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in the winter of 1950. Outnumbered, unsupported and isolated in the depths of winter, 12,000 Marines, surrounded by 60,000 Chinese soldiers, cut their way out of encirclement and fought a path to the sea, bringing out most of their wounded and many of their dead with them. Small wonder, then, that Chosin Reservoir is celebrated as a victory by the Corps. Russ weaves the Marines' stories into a compelling tapestry of understated heroism, showing how the 1st Marine Division owed much to officers and senior NCOs with combat experience in WWII and the force of character to lead teenage riflemen from the front. Cohesion, as well as courage and tactical skill, brought the Marines out of Chosin. Time and again, those whom Russ interviewed stress the overriding importance of not letting down other Marines, no matter the cost. Russ relies heavilyAand appropriatelyAon the accounts of Marines who fought at Chosin. The result is that there is a lot of detail, a lot of close-up recollections of localized battle, but Russ does an admirable job, when necessary, of panning back to give readers a picture of the whole campaign. Major ad/promo; author tour. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
This dramatic story epitomizes the brotherhood and fighting spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps and is a hallmark of one of the Corps's greatest battles, the battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, 1950. Freezing in subzero weather, low on food, fuel, and ammunition, and surrounded by ten Communist Chinese divisions that weren't supposed to be there, the 1st Marine Division fought its way out of encirclement, bringing out most of its dead and all of its wounded while inflicting horrific casualties on the enemy. Russ, a former Marine and author of The Last Parallel: A Marine's War Journal (1973), has produced a gripping oral history that captures the viciousness of combat, the brutal weather conditions, the forbidding terrain, and the Marines' incredible triumph with stark realism and unvarnished candor. He also illustrates the fine line between hope and despair, heroism and cowardice among men at war. Although primarily a history of the Marines in Korea, this book also provides a clear view of the big picture, with stinging criticism of General MacArthur and the incompetence of the U.S. Army. An outstanding history; highly recommended for all public libraries.ACol. William D. Bushnell, USMC, Brunswick, MECopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The New York Times Book Review, Ronald H. Spector
...an engrossing account of this campaign.... [The] recollections are still vivid, at times powerful; emotional but unsentimental.


The Wall Street Journal, James J. Cramer
For its account of a bond among men that leads Marines to risk their lives to bring back the bodies of their fallen comrades, Breakout will take its place on the shelf of great works of U.S. military history.


From Kirkus Reviews
A masterful narrative of one of the most gripping battles of the 20th century. Russ (The Last Parallel, not reviewed), a Marine Corps veteran of Korea, provides a thorough history of the battle that pitted 60,000 Chinese troops against a force of 12,000 Marines in frozen, mountainous terrain, a skillfully detailed work that is sure to stand as one of the classics of the Korean War. Russ weaves eyewitness accounts and combat histories from Chinese, Korean, and American sources in a tale that seems made for Hollywood. The Marines, encircled by Chinese troops, fought and held their own in an environment that should have meant their end, but instead they tenaciously hung on, despite being given up for lost by their own leadership and in the US papers. Although numerous characters jump out from the page, none does so more than US Lieutenant Chew-Een Lee, a fierce soldier who goes AWOL from a military hospital to get back to his unit and rejoin the fighting (it's an unfortunate flaw of the book that Russ doesnt better probe the psyche of this Chinese-American serviceman fighting a Chinese-Korean enemy). It is in Russs depictions of the personal elements of the battle that he excels, showing the Marines dedication to their ethos of always recovering their dead and wounded, as well as of overcoming losses and fighting to the end when so ordered. The lack of determined coordination between the army brass and the Marine Corps is also clearly evidenced; Russ quotes numerous dispatches showing the Marines concern over being spread thin and the armys failure to respond to that concern. A first-rate history. Russ makes the Chosin Reservoir campaign come alive in a narrative thats impossible to put down. (photos, not seen) (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor
"One of the most dramatic running battles in military history-now an all but forgotten fight of incredible deprivation, ferocity, and bravery."


Gerald F. Linderman, author of Embattled Courage
"A saga that, a half century later, continues to leave the reader in wonder."


James Webb, author of Fields of Fire
"A century from now the U.S. Marines will still be toasting their brave comrades who fought their way out of the Frozen Chosin in the Freezing Season. Martin Russ has done us all a great service by retelling the story with fresh insight."


Joseph c. Goulden
"Will stand as a classic work on the Korean War!"


James Brady, author of The Coldest War
"No more chilling or terrible account of war in a frozen hell has ever been written . . . If they ever add a stanza to 'The Marines' Hymn,' here are the lyrics."


Book Description
On General Douglas MacArthur's orders, a force of 12,000 U.S. Marines were marching north to the Yalu river in late November 1950. These three regiments of the 1st Marine Division--strung out along eighty miles of a narrow mountain road--soon found themselves completely surrounded by 60,000 Chinese soldiers. Despite being given up for lost by the military brass, the 1st Marine Division fought its way out of the frozen mountains, miraculously taking thier dead and wounded with them as they ran the gauntlet of unceasing Chinese attacks.

This is the gripping story that Martin Russ tells in his extraordinary book. Breakout is an unforgettable portrayal of the terror and courage of men as they face sudden death, making the bloody battles of the Korean hills and valleys come alive as they never have before.

"Magnificent . . . [Russ] seamlessly weaves the stories of many men, units and battles, day and night, into a coherent picture."--Chicago Tribune

"Engrossing . . . Vivid, at times powerful; emotional but unsentimental."--The New York Times


About the Author
Martin Russ, the recipient of a Purple Heart for his service as a Marine during the Korean War, is the author of The Last Parallel and Line of Departure.

FROM OUR EDITORS

During the battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, 60,000 Chinese army soldiers surrounded 12,000 Marines -- their chances looked bleak. This dramatic account of how the Marines broke out of their encirclement, and proceeded to inflict serious damage on enemy troops, is a gripping version of the battle that has been called one of the most masterly withdrawal operations in the history of war.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On November 27, 1950, a Chinese army of some 60,000 men poured over Korea's border intent on wiping out a force of 12,000 U.S. Marines marching north to the Yalu river on General Douglas MacArthur's orders. Three Marine regiments were strung out along 80 miles of a narrow mountain road that snaked its way up sweeping slopes to the high plateau of the Chosin Reservoir. Winter had arrived, a merciless wind driving temperatures down to a bone-chilling 30 below.

Thus the stage was set for one of the most stirring tales in the history of American arms. Soon the Marines were completely surrounded by eight Chinese divisions who suddenly emerged from hiding to pounce on the unsuspecting Americans. How the Marines, despite serious losses, broke out of encirclement while inflicting grueling punishment on the enemy, is the gripping story Martin Russ tells in this extraordinary book. In five days and nights of below-zero winds they fought back the waves of attacking Chinese before they reorganized for the epic escape down frozen mountain trails. Running a bloody gauntlet all the way to the sea, they managed to bring their wounded and equipment with them, giving birth to the ringing battle cry ever after associated with the Marines: "Retreat, hell, no! We're attacking in another direction."

Weaving into his account the voices of scores of individuals — ordinary Marines and their officers —Russ creates an unforgettable portrayal of the terror and courage of men as they face sudden death, making the bloody battles of the Korean hills and valleys come alive as they never have before.

SYNOPSIS

Weaving into his account the voices of scores of Marines and their officers, Russ creates an unforgettable portrayal of the terror and courage of men facing the bloody battles of the Korean war.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In the annals of American heroic stands against long odds, Chosin Reservoir stands with the Alamo and Bataan — with the bonus of a happy ending. Russ (The Last Parallel) has written the definitive account of the 1st Marine Division's epic breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in the winter of 1950. Outnumbered, unsupported and isolated in the depths of winter, 12,000 Marines, surrounded by 60,000 Chinese soldiers, cut their way out of encirclement and fought a path to the sea, bringing out most of their wounded and many of their dead with them. Small wonder, then, that Chosin Reservoir is celebrated as a victory by the Corps. Russ weaves the Marines' stories into a compelling tapestry of understated heroism, showing how the 1st Marine Division owed much to officers and senior NCOs with combat experience in WWII and the force of character to lead teenage riflemen from the front. Cohesion, as well as courage and tactical skill, brought the Marines out of Chosin. Time and again, those whom Russ interviewed stress the overriding importance of not letting down other Marines, no matter the cost. Russ relies heavily — and appropriately — on the accounts of Marines who fought at Chosin. The result is that there is a lot of detail, a lot of close-up recollections of localized battle, but Russ does an admirable job, when necessary, of panning back to give readers a picture of the whole campaign.

Library Journal - Col. William D. Bushnell, USMC, Brunswick, ME

This dramatic story epitomizes the brotherhood and fighting spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps and is a hallmark of one of the Corps's greatest battles, the battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, 1950. Freezing in subzero weather, low on food, fuel, and ammunition, and surrounded by ten Communist Chinese divisions that weren't supposed to be there, the 1st Marine Division fought its way out of encirclement, bringing out most of its dead and all of its wounded while inflicting horrific casualties on the enemy. Russ, a former Marine and author of The Last Parallel: A Marine's War Journal (1973), has produced a gripping oral history that captures the viciousness of combat, the brutal weather conditions, the forbidding terrain, and the Marines' incredible triumph with stark realism and unvarnished candor. He also illustrates the fine line between hope and despair, heroism and cowardice among men at war. Although primarily a history of the Marines in Korea, this book also provides a clear view of the big picture, with stinging criticism of General MacArthur and the incompetence of the U.S. Army. An outstanding history; highly recommended for all public libraries.

Ronald H. Spector - The New York Times Book Review

...[A]n engrossing account of this campaign, which the military analyst Drew Middleton called ''one of the most masterly withdrawal operations in the history of war"....Readers not familiar with military terms and operations may find themselves lost at times, though the main story is easy to follow....But his aim is not a scholarly account...

Kirkus Reviews

A masterful narrative of one of the most gripping battles of the 20th century. Russ (The Last Parallel, not reviewed), a Marine Corps veteran of Korea, provides a thorough history of the battle that pitted 60,000 Chinese troops against a force of 12,000 Marines in frozen, mountainous terrain, a skillfully detailed work that is sure to stand as one of the classics of the Korean War. Russ weaves eyewitness accounts and combat histories from Chinese, Korean, and American sources in a tale that seems made for Hollywood. The Marines, encircled by Chinese troops, fought and held their own in an environment that should have meant their end, but instead they tenaciously hung on, despite being given up for lost by their own leadership and in the US papers. Although numerous characters jump out from the page, none does so more than US Lieutenant Chew-Een Lee, a fierce soldier who goes AWOL from a military hospital to get back to his unit and rejoin the fighting (it's an unfortunate flaw of the book that Russ doesn't better probe the psyche of this Chinese-American serviceman fighting a Chinese-Korean enemy). It is in Russ's depictions of the personal elements of the battle that he excels, showing the Marines' dedication to their ethos of always recovering their dead and wounded, as well as of overcoming losses and fighting to the end when so ordered. The lack of determined coordination between the army brass and the Marine Corps is also clearly evidenced; Russ quotes numerous dispatches showing the Marines' concern over being spread thin and the army's failure to respond to that concern. A first-rate history. Russ makes the Chosin Reservoir campaign come alive in a narrative that's impossibleto put down. (photos, not seen) (Author tour)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

A saga that, a half century later, continues to leave the reader in wonder. (Gerald F. Linderman, author of The World Within War)  — Gerald F. Linderman

Will stand as a classic work on the Korean War. (Joseph C. Goulden, author of Korea: The Untold Story of the War) — Joseph C. Goulden

A century from now the U.S. Marines will be toasting their brave comrades who fought their way out of the Frozen Chosin in the Freezing Season. Martin Russ has done us all a great service by retelling the story with fresh insight. (James Webb, author of Fields of Five)  — James Webb

No more chilling or terrible account of war in a frozen hell has ever been written. Nor has any American army come as close to panic and disintegration ... if they ever add a stanza to the 'Marines' Hymn,' here are the lyrics. (James Brady, author of The Coldest War)  — James Brady

One of the most dramatic running battles in military history — now an all but forgotten fight of incredible deprivation, ferocity and bravery. (Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor)  — Bernard E. Trainor