They were assigned the toughest tasks and outperformed the rest!

Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War is the amazingly clear and well-presented history of this special group of brave and patriotic fighting men, whom most people have never heard of before. Organized and celebrated for over 100 years ago, the infantry regiment’s incredible and spotless record was besmirched during their long service in the Korean War. Only in recent years were they exonerated.

The 65th was a segregated all-Puerto Rican infantry regiment in the United States Army with a ferocious reputation. Many of the soldiers spoke Spanish, creating a communication problem with some of their English-only officers. There even existed a lot of prejudice against these men by their white officers. However, in the years the 65th fought in Korea, they were given some of the toughest, nastiest, and most hopeless assignments, and they still produced numerous examples of outstanding personal and regimental heroism. Still, near the end of the war, when the 65th was at the limits of its trained personnel and resources, they were tasked with the impossible and, perhaps, the ill-planned, and some of the men had had enough.

As the author mentions, the Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War,” probably because it followed closely behind two world wars and preceded Vietnam. The study of this conflict barely got a mention in any U.S. history course I ever took, and I would go so far as to say most people’s knowledge of the Korean War is whatever they gleaned from the television show M*A*S*H.

The author’s writing style is easy to read, and the storytelling and research are compelling. While the book targets a young adult audience, I think even older readers will find it fascinating reading. I know I did.

I recommend MEN OF THE 65TH: THE BORINQUENEERS OF THE KOREAN WAR to non-fiction readers interested in this little-known part of history.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. ( )

This was a unique peek into a part of history that is often overlooked - the Korean War. This specifically covers one particular regiment, and the experiences of those men during that time. I liked that Aikens-Nuñez didn't focus on just the war or the court-martial, but the regiment itself, and parts of Puerto Rico's history (where they hailed from). I have to admit I didn't know much of what was included, and found it to be an interesting learning experience. This was clearly very well researched, and supplies plenty of information without being overwhelming. I was thoroughly impressed with the extras included, such as a military term glossary for those that might be unfamiliar with them, plenty of photos, and a timeline of events. Some history books can become a bit dry, and boring, but this was well-written and engaging, perfect for teen/young adult readers interested in military history. ( )

History comes to life and becomes understandable in this intriguing dive into the 65th Regiment in Puerto Rico.

This book covers the history, events, situations, and people surrounding the 65th Regiment in Puerto Rico. While it does, also, cover the events leading up to as well as the court martial surrounding the incidents of the Korean War, the author takes care to cover the history, interesting facts, and unique details, which made the 65th Regiment what it was. This gives the needed base and background to understand and sympathize with the individuals involved, especially when realizing how every situation built and worked up to the court martial and beyond.

The author has taken obvious care in the research and brings across the information clearly. At the same time, everything is written in an easy to read and digest manner. There are quite a few photographs, which always help the reader understand and connect with the material...plus, it shows the personal side, which is one of the main driving factors when considering the court martial and its impacts. This also hits modern themes of inclusion and race as it shows how and why views and opinions formed and, sometimes, changed over time.

This is a wonderful read for anyone wanting to learn more about the 65th Regiment and its history. It offers quite a bit of information, background, and insights, and does all of this without bogging down. I received a DRC and found it so well done that I'm adding it to my own homeschooling program. ( )