General Ridgway describes how he took a dispirited army in December of 1950 and rebuilt it in a few short months, leading it into battle against the Chinese and North Korean forces. This work looks at General Douglas MacArthur, his failings and brilliance, and a hard look at the idea of limited war, emphasizing that 'we should not involve ourselves in escalating warfare without a specific and attainable goal.' -- Adapted from the back cover.

Land of morning calm : prelude to the storm -- Challenge and response : the gallant stand of Task Force Smith -- The United Nations on the offensive : the Inchon Landing and the Breakout from the perimeter -- Near disaster on the Yalu : The Chinese enter the war : fighting withdrawl of the 1st Marine Division -- Change of command : I take over the Eighth Army : Rebuilding the fighting spirit : Return of the offensive -- The president and the general : dismissal of MacArthur : causes and consequences : the Chinese are driven back -- Truce talks and stalemate ; Bitter fighting on the ridges ; The nature of the enemy -- The final months ; the POW riots ; Clark succeeds me ; The truce is signed -- Issues and answers ; Meaning of the MacArthur controversy ; Miitary and political implications -- Lessons learned and unlearned ; Their significance in our search for peace -- Korean War calendar.