Origins of the Korean War

Bruce Cumings's "The Origins of the Korean War" is a monumental two-volume work that delves deep into the complex events leading up to the Korean War. It meticulously examines the political maneuvering of major world powers, the internal dynamics within Korea, and the role of Cold War tensions.

The book challenges conventional narratives, offering a nuanced and critical perspective on the conflict's origins.

Cumming's research is based on extensive archival work, including previously inaccessible U.S.

documents, providing a wealth of primary source material.

His analysis sheds light on the multifaceted factors that contributed to the outbreak of war, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of the period.