The Frozen Hours

A Novel of the Korean War

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Paul Michael

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The master of military historical fiction turns his discerning eye to the Korean War in this riveting novel, which tells the dramatic story of the Americans and the Chinese who squared off in one of the deadliest campaigns in the annals of combat: the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as Frozen Chosin.

June 1950. The North Korean army invades South Korea, intent on uniting the country under Communist rule. In response, the United States mobilizes a force to defend the overmatched South Korean troops, and together they drive the North Koreans back to their border with China.

But several hundred thousand Chinese troops have entered Korea, laying massive traps for the Allies. In November 1950, the Chinese spring those traps. Allied forces, already battling stunningly cold weather, find themselves caught completely off guard as the Chinese advance around the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. A force that once stood on the precipice of victory now finds itself on the brink of annihilation. Assured by General Douglas MacArthur that they would be home by Christmas, the soldiers and Marines fight for their lives against the most brutal weather conditions imaginable—and an enemy that outnumbers them more than six to one.

The Frozen Hours tells the story of Frozen Chosin from multiple points of view: Oliver P. Smith, the commanding general of the American 1st Marine Division, who famously redefined retreat as “advancing in a different direction”; Marine Private Pete Riley, a World War II veteran who now faces the greatest fight of his life; and the Chinese commander Sung Shi-Lun, charged with destroying the Americans he has so completely surrounded, ever aware that above him, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung watches his every move.

Written with the propulsive force Jeff Shaara brings to all his novels of combat and courage, The Frozen Hours transports us to the critical moment in the history of America’s “Forgotten War,” when the fate of the Korean peninsula lay in the hands of a brave band of brothers battling both the elements and a determined, implacable foe.

“A military story as dramatic and heroic as any that exists.”—The American Interest

“The Frozen Hours . . . illustrates again Shaara’s mastery. . . . This is fiction and history at their blended best.”—Marine Corps Gazette

“Marvelously effective storytelling . . . that shows us what warfare feels like both to those who plan campaigns and those who execute them . . . gripping, precisely detailed historical fiction.”—Booklist (starred review)

Critic reviews

“A military story as dramatic and heroic as any that exists.”—The American Interest

“The Frozen Hours . . . illustrates again Shaara’s mastery. . . . This is fiction and history at their blended best.”—Marine Corps Gazette

“Marvelously effective storytelling . . . that shows us what warfare feels like both to those who plan campaigns and those who execute them . . . gripping, precisely detailed historical fiction.”—Booklist (starred review)

Brings the horror of war to you

Would you listen to The Frozen Hours again? Why?

The story is told from the viewpoint of leaders on both sides and of men on the line doing the actual fighting. Listening to the description of the suffering of the brave Marines makes you admire them, and hope that no one will ever go through this again, sadly we continue to send young men into harms way.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Frozen Hours?

Watching the political gamesmanship at high command level screwup things for the frontline troops

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

His voice and narration was excellent

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times I had tears forming as I saw posturing leaders put mens lives at risk.

Any additional comments?

Jeff Shaara has written many books about war, he makes it real and never glorifies it.

Excellent historical nonfiction of bravery heros f

Would you consider the audio edition of The Frozen Hours to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version, but with the excellent narration you could feel the anger, frustration and fear. Highly recommended

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Frozen Hours?

The fear evoked in the nightly attacks

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

Excellent voice for this book, good separation of characters...well done

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Death on the hill

Any additional comments?

Great book highly recommended

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story

Started a bit slow but could not put it down once the action started. Recommended.

my recommendation

A very good book. Excellent history of the Korean War . If you like war books and history, you should like this one.

A well-known story well told.

Shaara's back to his usual goodness. Hope he does more on Korea. Task Force Smith maybe?