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Title: Leadership in the Crucible

Subtitle: The Korean War Battles of Twin Tunnels and Chipyong-ni

Author: Kenneth E. Hamburger

Narrator: Bill Nevitt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-17

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

At the pivotal battles of Twin Tunnels and Chipyong-ni in February 1951, UN forces met and contained large-scale attacks by Chinese forces. Colonel Paul Freeman and the larger-than-life Colonel Ralph Monclar led the American 23rd Infantry Regiment and the French Bataillon de Corée, respectively, in the fierce and dangerous battles that followed the precipitous UN retreat down the Korean Peninsula.

In Leadership in the Crucible, Kenneth Hamburger details the actions of the units in the United Nations counteroffensive following the Chinese intervention, including routine patrols, the harrowing battle of Twin Tunnels, and the pivotal siege of Chipyong-ni. From extensive personal interviews and a careful reconstruction of the written record, Hamburger brilliantly analyzes the roles that training, cohesion, morale, logistics, and leadership play in success or failure on the front lines of limited war. He also addresses the vexing problem of when, and at what level, commanders have the right and even the responsibility to question lawful orders they believe are flawed.

In this careful consideration of combat leadership at all levels, Hamburger offers his listeners stories of men sustaining themselves and one another to the limits of human endurance.

Critic Reviews:

"His coverage of fighting in cold winter weather with all its problems is superb. I highly recommend this book." (

Journal of Military History)

"Masterful and thought-provoking...makes a significant contribution to the understanding of combat leadership and of the human element in warfare." (

The Journal of America's Military Past)

Members Reviews:

A must-have book on military leadership

Leadership of the Crucible is an exceptional book on how modern wars are conducted by "ordinary" men. It is a breathtaking account, a faithful depiction of this (unfortunately) largely forgotten war. Many reasons push me to rank this book as an authoritative, reference type of books.

First, the quality of the background work is astounding. The author obviously didn't spare himself any time in researching his subject, interviewing veterans, collecting pictures of actual places, digging into books and articles.

Second, his objectivity as a historian is spotless with a clean, detached narration that (almost) never take sides on the doings and decisions of these men who put their lives at stake amidst while fighting in chaos.

Third, the clarity of his writing, as well as the use of simple yet reliable overview maps makes understanding of complex tactical situations an easier task. The narration feels as if events are actually unfolding right in front of the eyes, although these events took place over half a century ago. Readers will undoubtedly finish their reading by a "I have learnt something today!"...

Fourth, he manages to treat a series of high-fame events in a very efficient way by locating them in the chronological chain of events that made the Korean War.