Drawing on archival and other primary sources in Russia, China, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, the author moves beyond national histories to provide the first comprehensive understanding of the Korean War as an international conflict from the perspective of all of the major actors.

Translation of: Chåosen Sensåo zenshi. Translation of: Chōsen Sensō zenshi. Includes maps of: Korea; North and South of the 38th Parallel; Military Demarcation Line, 27 JUL 1953.

Two states and unification by force -- North Korea goes to war -- Attack -- U.S.-ROK forces reach the Yalu and China enters the war -- Fighting while negotiating -- The third year -- The armistice -- Postwar Northeast Asia.