The Unforgotton War: Dust of the Streets

By Thomas Park Clement

Autobiography of a half and half Korean boy born in the middle of the Korean War found at age 5 on the streets of Seoul, post war, adopted into the U.S. who eventually grew up to be a medical device... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966795202
• ISBN13: 9780966795202
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Truepeny Pub Co
• Length: 139 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

An Authentic Korean Adoptee Account

This book is a definite two thumbs up whether the reader is a Korean adoptee, adoptive parent, birth parent or just someone interested in knowing more about the Korean adoption experience. Clements' book is more than a narrative of his life as an orphan, mixed race child or adoptee. His book is an amazing blend of innovations, adventures, joys and disappointments. Toward the end of the book the reader can't help but be overwhelmed by the complex life Clement has led, and by the manner in which he currently lives.It must be stated up front that this autobiographical account by Thomas Park Clement is not comparable to the one written by Elizabeth Kim, author of 10,000 Sorrows. Readers wanting to read a captivating, authentic, and verifiable story of a mixed race Korean War orphan will find The Unforgotten War a truly memorable work. His book is filled with names, dates and photographs of himself with other people, including his adoptive family and friends. In the end he shares with readers how he might be contacted. Kim on the other hand tells a gripping and emotionally loaded story of her alleged life as a mixed race orphan that seems to attract tragedy after uncontrollable tragedy. She portrays herself as a survivor of numerous and horrendous abuses, however she provides no substantive information to lend credence to her story. Given the lack of verifiable data, one can only conclude Kim's book is actually fiction disguised as fact.Clements' life was no bed of roses either - however unlike Kim, he does bravely reveal the name of the orphanage where he suffered both physical and mental abuses. And unlike Kim who seems determined to be the queen of all martyrs, Clement is able to put his personal experiences into productive and admirable perspective. Most readers will find it incomprehensible to learn that Clement was abandoned by his birth mother when he was about four years of age. They will be drawn in by his poignant memory of his last time with her, how she carefully and lovingly buttoned up his coat for one last time before leaving him alone on the street to fend for himself.After his birth mother abandoned him, Clement tells chilling tales of how he was beaten up on the streets because of how he looked and smelled, and how he would go days before finding a piece of garbage that would temporarily ease his hunger pains. After several years of fighting the other street orphans for every bite of food, he finally meets a young Methodist missionary who takes him to an orphanage.Orphanage life provided Clement both good and bad aspects. He describes haunting stories of life in the orphanage, bringing to mind images that anyone else who has ever been an orphan in a Korean orphanage would recognize. At the orphanage Clement is initially thrilled with being given a fresh pair of socks and clean clothing. He is delighted with getting one meal a day, even though it is very diluted and hardly substantial for a young boy. However Clement soon learns that

Superb, Insightful: a Compelling Read...

I am an avid reader and purchase many books but I, generally, only purchase one copy. I have purchased multiple copies of this book and given them away to friends because I believe that this memoir is extraordinary in its honesty, in-depth narrative of his early orphan life, his transition to an American home, adult years, and issues of transracial adoption.As far as I as know, this is the first autobiography by a Korean adoptee about his life. It is moving and extraordinary because he remembers life as a young child fending for himself prior to going into an orphanage, the life in the orphanage, and coming to America. In this rich tapestry, Thomas Clement tells about his early years with humor, warmth, and raw honesty. It's been hard for me to review this book because of all the intense memories it brings up for me. While reading about Thomas Clement's story, I came across the name of his orphanage. It sounded vaguely familar and I searched for my adoptee records and found that I, too, had come from the same orphanage. His story of life at the orphanage had special relevance for me since it was a small orphanage and I did not remember much about life there. The details and stories of orphanage life has filled some parts of the amnesia that is my early childhood life. He also tells of his life adventures: school days, university life, and working. Finally, he discusses his in-depth experiences of coming back full circle and meeting with other Korean adoptees and the meaning that it has for him.This memoir provides us, the reader, a warm and inviting true story of an unusual and fascinating life. A wonderful and heartwarming book. I highly recommend his book. Two thumbs up!

A Story of Triumph

Reading Mr. Clement's book is an emotional and interesting journey that he has been through. He made me feel that I was actually there. While reading his book I was crying, laughing, and could not put it down until I finished it. Very insightful of what he went through living on the streets of Korea, during and after the Korean war, and then here in America as an adoptee trying to fit in. You can see life was not always an easy journey for him, but he faced life with humor and determination and achieved many accomplishments in his life.I recommend that everyone should read this book, he makes you feel like you can face life's challenges by just taking one more step, it has helped me out.

One of the best!!! A must read!!!!

Being an adoptive parent of a child from Korea, I have read alot of books written by Korean adoptees. None have touched me like The Unforgotten War!! Knowing what Mr.Clement was feeling at different times in his life, I might have an insight which could possibly help my daughter at times. Also Thomas Park Clement has chosen to include a sense of humor like no other. There are also parts of this book that will bring you to tears as I was. This is a book that will make you feel so many different emotions. I recommend this book to EVERYONE, not only to people that have an association with adoption.

Honest, insightful, hard to put down

Thomas Clement's journey from scavenging the streets of Seoul to building his own business in America is not about an orphan being saved. Rather, it is the journey of a Korean orphan surviving hardship and coming into his own. His prose is not heavy handed or bitter, but hopeful. With humor and insight he allows the reader to experience what it was like to be bi-racial and grow up in a world far from his birthplace. His autobiography is poignant and gripping. Though some of his experiences seem "out of this world" and incredible, it rings true. There is no taint of embellishment, unlike other autobiographies that tell of horrific lives --no matter how beautiful their prose. Over 300,000 Koreans have been adopted out of Korea since the Korean War. One out of ten Koreans in the U.S. is an adoptee. This book gives a wonderful look into the mind and feelings of what it is like to be adopted into America. It should be read by everyone who is Korean, knows a Korean, or has an interest in Korea or Asia, not just because of the insight it provides, but because it is moving and delightful to read. I was moved to tears in several parts and cheering in others. It is a true testimony to how an individual can triumph over unbelievable difficulties. I read several hundred books each year but keep only a few. This is one I have kept. (A Korean Adoptee)