The North Korean People's Army: Origins and Current Tactics Hardcover – Illustrated, October 31, 2005

The author has more than two decades of experience in the area, serving as a U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer in U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). In addition to a MA in East Asian Studies from Harvard University and a Masters in Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, he is also an alumnus of the Republic of Korea Army College and Sogang University's Center for Korean Studies.I read this book with great interest, focusing on the modern tactics of North Korea. The text is well written and supported mostly by primary sources with plentiful footnotes. Minnich also points out discrepancies in the historical records - such as the creation of the North Korean People's Army - where different sources vary on key dates and decisions. I appreciate these differences in that it shows that the author did not simply patch over the discrepancies and paint a pretty picture for the reader.The actual text - minus the introduction, forward, and appendices, is around 100 pages and is a quick read.The appendices, bibliography, and uber-useful glossary of key terms are nearly as valuable as the text itself.If you are a student of Korean history, or a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman faced with deploying to Korea, or a military officer, I highly recommend this text.

This reads like a PhD thesis bound in hard cover.

Minnich, who was a foreign area officer for the United States Army, has written the most comprehensive, yet accessible, history of the north Korean military founding. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in understanding why this middle state acts and reacts the way it does. Much as we pretend to understand 360 degree conflict, the Koreans have demonstrated a proficiency that makes all things political flow from the military, rather than our typical Clausewitzian reverse. It is an older book but most worth the study.

A lot of information. Well written...it flows well. The author is obviously well- read in military matters. I'm glad I bought the book. The historical aspect of the Korean war is about as valuable as is the info about the modern army.

If/when DPRK does something, then we'll know if it's worth it

This was a very short book with some basic information about the NKPA. I disagree with the other amazon review stating that this information could also be found on the internet. That may be true of the historical origins portion of the book but the tactics piece is much more in depth than other assessments that I have found. It's the first place that i've seen that mentions the North Korean principles of war for example. however, I wish that it went further and I am hoping that there will be future updated editions as more information becomes available.

Informative.

Good length and to the point. Good overview of North Korea Doctrine. Prefered book of foreign officers at ROK Yugun Daehak.

Good book. Easy to digest -metaphorically speaking.It would have been even better had the author made an analysis of how KPA tactics would have stood up in the face of modern US and ROK capabilities.