Korean War – Further Reading

1. Granatstein, J.L. & Morton, Desmond, “A Nation Forged in Fire: Canadians and the Second World War, 1939-1945”

  • This book covers more than just the Korean War but offers a concise examination of Canada’s military history, including a dedicated section on Canada’s role in the Korean conflict, providing useful context on how the war fit into broader Canadian military history.

2. C.P. Stacey, “Canada and the Age of Conflict: A History of Canadian External Policies Volume 2: 1921-1948, The Mackenzie King Era”

  • Stacey’s work examines Canadian foreign policy during and after the Second World War, including Canada’s decision to participate in the Korean War. It provides important insights into the political and diplomatic decisions that led to Canadian involvement.

3. David J. Bercuson, “Blood on the Hills: The Canadian Army in the Korean War”

  • Bercuson’s Blood on the Hills is one of the definitive works on Canadian military participation in the Korean War. The book provides an in-depth look at the Canadian Army’s involvement, focusing on the soldiers’ experience, battles, and the challenges they faced during the conflict.

4. Joseph Jockel, “No Boundaries Upstairs: Canada, the United States, and the Origins of North American Air Defence, 1945-1958”

  • Jockel’s work explores the broader context of Canadian defense policy and its relationship with the United States, including Canada’s participation in the Korean War and its influence on North American defense cooperation.

5. Matthew Barrett and Robert Engen, “Through Veterans’ Eyes: The First World War, the Second World War, and Canada’s Korean War”

  • This book provides a unique perspective on the Korean War through the personal experiences of Canadian veterans. It includes interviews and reflections that offer valuable insights into what it was like to serve in Korea and how the conflict affected those who fought.

6. Ted Barris, “Deadlock in Korea: Canadians at War, 1950-1953”

  • Barris’s Deadlock in Korea is a comprehensive and accessible account of the role that Canadian soldiers played in the Korean War. It offers a detailed overview of the battles, strategies, and personal stories of Canadian servicemen during the conflict.

7. John Melady, “Korea: Canada’s Forgotten War”

  • Melady’s book highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Canada to the Korean War. It provides an engaging narrative that focuses on the Canadian experience, particularly the soldiers who served in Korea and the lasting effects of the war on Canadian society.

8. John Boileau, “Canada’s Forgotten Heroes: The Canadian Army in Korea, 1950-1953”

  • Boileau’s book gives a vivid account of the Canadian Army’s participation in the Korean War, covering key battles, military strategies, and personal stories. It emphasizes the difficulties of fighting in harsh conditions and the legacy of Canadian involvement in Korea.

9. Andrew Burtch, “Give Me Shelter: The Failure of Canada’s Cold War Civil Defence”

  • While not exclusively focused on the Korean War, Burtch’s work discusses the domestic and geopolitical impact of the war on Canada, including how the conflict shaped Canada’s military and defense policies during the Cold War.

10. Sean Maloney, “War Without Battles: Canada’s NATO Brigade in Germany, 1951-1964”

  • Although focused on NATO and the Cold War, Maloney’s book includes analysis of how Canada’s involvement in the Korean War influenced its defense policies and military commitments in the post-war period, including Canada’s military role within NATO.

11. Peter T. S. Denton, “The Korean War and Canada: A Soldier’s Memoir”

  • This memoir offers a personal and firsthand account of the experiences of Canadian soldiers during the Korean War. Denton’s reflections provide valuable insights into life on the front lines, the challenges faced by soldiers, and the impact of the war on those who served.

12. Bill W. Hilton, “The Soldiers’ General: Bert Hoffmeister at War”

  • While this biography focuses on General Bert Hoffmeister’s military career, it includes sections on his leadership during the Korean War. Hoffmeister was instrumental in shaping Canadian military strategy, and his influence on Canada’s participation in the Korean conflict is explored in detail.

13. Roger Sarty & Dean Oliver, “The Oxford Companion to Canadian Military History”

  • This reference book offers an excellent overview of Canada’s military history, including a comprehensive entry on the Korean War. It provides useful context for Canada’s role in the war and its significance in Canadian military history.

14. Paul Dickson, “A Thoroughly Canadian General: A Biography of General H.D.G. Crerar”

  • Dickson’s biography of General Harry Crerar includes analysis of his post-Second World War contributions to the Canadian military, including his advisory role during the Korean War. The book explores how Crerar helped shape Canada’s military doctrine during the early Cold War period.

15. Ernest J. Chambers, “Canada’s Army in Korea: The Official Record”

  • This official history provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of Canada’s military operations in Korea. It is a valuable reference for understanding the tactical and operational aspects of Canadian involvement in the war.

16. Jack Granatstein, “Who Killed the Canadian Military?”

  • Although focused on the broader decline of the Canadian military post-Second World War, Granatstein includes critical analysis of Canada’s involvement in the Korean War and how it impacted the nation’s military commitments in subsequent years.

17. Norman Stone, “The Atlantic and Its Enemies: A History of the Cold War”

  • While this book is broader in scope, it provides important context for understanding how Canada’s participation in the Korean War fit into the larger Cold War struggle between the Western powers and the communist bloc.

18. Berton, Pierre, “Marching As to War: Canada’s Turbulent Years, 1899-1953”

  • Pierre Berton provides an engaging narrative of Canada’s involvement in multiple conflicts, including a substantial section on the Korean War, blending political and military history with stories from the soldiers who fought.

These references cover a wide range of aspects related to Canada’s involvement in the Korean War, from operational history and personal memoirs to broader political and diplomatic analysis, making them ideal for further reading on the subject.