Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Helpful Score: 3
Written in 1985, this book incorporates many of the revisionist theories about World War II in the Pacific theater, including events in south Asia.
If you wanted to read just one book about this conflict, then this is a good choice. The author does an excellent job of exposing many of the myths about the war in the Pacific, yet also gives you both (sometimes three or four) views held by historians on the pro and cons of actions by individual commanders, military councils and politicians. And he does this for both sides: the Allies and the Japanese.
It would seem impossible to cover this entire conflict in just 561 pages, but the author manages to do so. He covers what you need to know in a delightful style that makes for easy reading. As such, he also allows you to determine your interests and read more deeply about an event in other books.
I approached this book with misgivings, but was impressed with the author's coverage of all the major events necessary for a good review of the war. He also inserted numerous information from 'lowly' individuals that added spice to the story. I wished I could write as well.
While numerous better books on aspects of this conflict exist, if someone asks me to recommend just one book on the entire war in the Pacific, I'll tell them about this one.
Having said all that, I personally had differences with several statistics the author presented. However, these did not detract from the book itself.
If you wanted to read just one book about this conflict, then this is a good choice. The author does an excellent job of exposing many of the myths about the war in the Pacific, yet also gives you both (sometimes three or four) views held by historians on the pro and cons of actions by individual commanders, military councils and politicians. And he does this for both sides: the Allies and the Japanese.
It would seem impossible to cover this entire conflict in just 561 pages, but the author manages to do so. He covers what you need to know in a delightful style that makes for easy reading. As such, he also allows you to determine your interests and read more deeply about an event in other books.
I approached this book with misgivings, but was impressed with the author's coverage of all the major events necessary for a good review of the war. He also inserted numerous information from 'lowly' individuals that added spice to the story. I wished I could write as well.
While numerous better books on aspects of this conflict exist, if someone asks me to recommend just one book on the entire war in the Pacific, I'll tell them about this one.
Having said all that, I personally had differences with several statistics the author presented. However, these did not detract from the book itself.
