On February 13, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., the MacArthur Memorial will host bestselling author Hampton Sides for a book signing and a discussion of his latest book
NORFOLK, Va. – When the MacArthur Memorial was established in 1964, General MacArthur wanted it to be a place for open debate and critical examination of the past – even if this was unflattering to him. In its 56th year, the Memorial continues to honor this vision.
On February 13, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., the MacArthur Memorial will host bestselling author Hampton Sides for a book signing and a discussion of his latest book On Desperate Ground: The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean Wars’ Greatest Battle. Sides is also the author of the critically acclaimed Ghost Soldiers, which tells the story of the aftermath of MacArthur’s greatest battlefield defeat during World War II. On Desperate Ground explores the Korean War and yet another controversial chapter of MacArthur’s career.
On October 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief of United Nations forces in Korea, met with President Truman on Wake Island to discuss the Korean War. All were convinced the war was just about over. While they talked, 300,000 Communist Chinese forces were secretly moving into North Korea to rescue Kim Il-sung’s forces. At the same time, 20,000 men of the United States First Marine Division moved into the snowy mountains of North Korea along the frozen shores of the Chosin Reservoir. What followed was one of the great military survival stories of all time. Faced with probable annihilation, and temperatures 20 degrees below zero, the surrounded, and hugely outnumbered, Marines fought through the enemy forces with ferocity, ingenuity, and nearly unimaginable courage. Deeply critical of the follies and intelligence failures of American leaders in Tokyo and Washington, On Desperate Ground is an immediate, grunt’s-eye view of history and an enthralling illustration of what ordinary men can accomplish in the most difficult circumstances.
The event is free and open to the public and will be held in the MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center. For additional details, please visit: www.macarthurmemorial.org.