Pacific War Books

[PunkReaper]

Being a European I have just become aware that during WW2 there was also a little skirmish going on the Pacific region. I was wondering if any books have been published on this conflict and if so what you would recommend. [;)] I am just reading Burning Singapore on the surrender of Singapore which by the way is a great read. I am looking for a book that gives a good overall account of the whole war and not just events like Midway or Iwo Jima. Pictures would be nice too.

[n01487477]

There are plenty of book threads on the WITP forum ...
quick search ... (there are more)
tm.asp?m=2069262
tm.asp?m=2053018
tm.asp?m=660746&mpage=1&key=books&#660794
tm.asp?m=1649991&mpage=4&key=books&#1674735
tm.asp?m=826504&mpage=1&key=books&#826562

of course there are some good historical sites on the web too ...

[PunkReaper]

doh... didn't think of searching WitP forum. It scares me going over there in case I get sucked in and lose my wife and family etc....

[Greybriar]

History of United States Naval Operations in World War II by Samuel Eliot Morison, the Official Historian of the U.S. Navy during World War II.

[KG Erwin]

The best one-volume history, IMHO, is Ronald Spector's "Eagle Against the Sun".

[BAL]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

The best one-volume history, IMHO, is Ronald Spector's "Eagle Against the Sun".

I second that. Excellent - very readable.

[SeaMonkey]

How about a book that examines the operational aspects of PTO (island hopping) and the alternative strategies such as, why wouldn't the US just go straight for the Japanese home islands with only one island group secured in proximity of such an invasion, after building an omnipotent navy?
 
Attrition?  Experience? Fine tuning weapon systems?  Etc.?

[Randomizer]

Check out Touched with Fire, The Land War in the South Pacific by Eric Bergerud Penguin Press 1996 (ISBN 0 14002.4696 7).  It is an excellent source of information on the Australian, U.S. and Japanese armies in that theatre down to section level.  Worth a read.
 
Best Regards.

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: BAL

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

The best one-volume history, IMHO, is Ronald Spector's "Eagle Against the Sun".

I second that. Excellent - very readable.

+1

If there's 1 book you should read on the PTO, it's that one.

My #2 is "Shattered Sword" - the Midway myth buster.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[PunkReaper]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Eagle Against the Sun has just arrived ready for reading.

Next can anyone suggest a good read on the North African Conflict in WW2?

[PunkReaper]

Thanks to everyone who suggested "Eagle Against the Sun". Just finished it and can safely say it is an excellent book. I have a much better understanding of the Pacific War.
[&o]

[Mike Dubost]

ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper

Thanks for all the suggestions. Eagle Against the Sun has just arrived ready for reading.

Next can anyone suggest a good read on the North African Conflict in WW2?

If you are still interested in learning more about the invasion of French North Africa, I highly recommend An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson. It says nothing about the Egyptian side of North Africa, but within the tight focus on the events west of Libya, it is a very interesting book. It is part of a projected trilogy about the US army in the European Theater of Operations.

The second volume of his liberation trilogy (Day of Battle) about Sicily and Italy is regrettably much weaker in my opinion, but the work was delayed by the author's other work on the recent battles in Iraq. I think this resulted in a loss of focus on this trilogy, so I hope the 3rd volume on D-Day et seq. will be better when it comes out.

[Vyshka]

If you can find it W.G.F. Jackson's The Battle for North Africa is supposed to be good.

[Hartford688]

"African Trilogy:The North African campaign 1940-43" by Alan Moorehead is very good. Moorehead was a war correspondent for a British paper and is a compilation of three books that he wrote during the war. Really excellent.

[VANILLA GORILLA]

Google pacific war almanac. As an almanac will have the most pictures and would be a book dedicated to the overall conflict. From there you'll find isolated subjects to further research. I can't think of one off hand, but I've killed countless hours in book stores glancing at the almanacs. They are the best bet for a general knowledge on the subject, if the internet is not your thing.

[TheBlackhorse]

With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge
 
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Breed-At-Peleliu-Okinawa/dp/0891419195/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242053421&sr=8-1

[John 3rd]

With the Old Breed is an excellent personal account of the war from a Marine's perspective.

Best Japanese history written about the Pacific War in recent memory is Shattered Sword.  Magnificent work.  For the Allied perspective read The First Team books by Lundstrom.

If you want an campaign history take Frank's Guadalcanal it is excellent too...

[Cmdrcain]

I get many War books via my Book Club
http://www.militarybookclub.com/

[JMHawkins]

ORIGINAL: SeaMonkey

How about a book that examines the operational aspects of PTO (island hopping) and the alternative strategies such as, why wouldn't the US just go straight for the Japanese home islands with only one island group secured in proximity of such an invasion, after building an omnipotent navy?

Attrition?  Experience? Fine tuning weapon systems?  Etc.?

War Plan Orange by Edward S. Miller is the book you want. It covers the USN planning for war with Japan from the early 1900's up to the actual war, and then compares the plans with how it actually played out. A bit dry at times, but it's the closest thing I know of to what you're asking for.

I put together my own PTO reading list on Amazon. I second (or third) Eagle Against the Sun.

-John Hawkins
KE Studios.

[SeaMonkey]

Thanks JMH, I'll try it....right after I finish Eagle Against the Sun.  Just started it last night and am impressed although I'm just into "States of Mind, American" chapter, trying to juggle time with three SC PBEMs, a mirror PTO and one world campaign.  Life is good, just need some tropical swell.....soon.[8D]