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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:05 pm
by Big B
Another good book that can still be found is:
Jack Coggins: Campaign For Guadalcanal
I bought my copy of that book new back in 1972, a very informative book (and nicely illustrated), and as the Amazon.com link above shows - it can still be obtained.
A review of this lessr known book today:
Jack Coggins' THE CAMPAIGN FOR GUADALCANAL is of a type never seen anymore. Every page is illustrated with drawings and/or maps-- there's not a single photo, yet they're not at all missed.
This oversized book is printed in two columns per page. Events that precipitated the clash over the strategically vital Solomon Island are covered in detail. Drawings of military equipment (planes, ships, armored vehicles, transports, etc.) for both sides are provided along with specs that allow the reader to determine at a glance which of two might have the edge in battle.
Motivations and military options are discussed; task forces are broken down into individual components. Simplified maps include clearly defined positions along with troop, ship or plane movements. Great insights into the strategic ramifications of the battle as well as the small details of both the US and Japanese men, equipment and tactics. There are abundant maps, drawings and sidebar discussions of related topics (like how to aim artillery if you cannot see the target, how to land a plane on a carrier, etc). The author's expressed desire to educate any newcomer to this battle's history is superbly realized through his concise text and unparalleled ability to make understandable potentially complicated material.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:31 pm
by Big B
One other resource for English language readers -
This is an online resource
Hyperwar:A Hypertext History of the Second World War
It is readily available and best of all free. It contains many complete & detailed history books put online for free reading, and covers all theaters and phases of the war:
The content of HyperWar consists primarily of official documents produced by various agencies of the United States, United Kingdom and British Commonwealth governments.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:34 pm
by Don Bowen
One more....
For a good overview of the Naval aspects, all campaigns but less detail, try
http://www.amazon.com/Two-Ocean-War-His ... 764&sr=1-1
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:42 pm
by dorjun driver
Where is the love for anything by Dunnigan/Nofi?
I am disappoint...
Yeah he's a hack, but he's our hack.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 7:53 pm
by Kapitanma
I highly recommend Tennozan by George Feifer. It's an excellent and well researched book on the invasion of Okinawa. Posting from phone so won't get long winded...
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 8:11 pm
by USS Henrico
ORIGINAL: dorjun driver
Where is the love for anything by Dunnigan/Nofi?
I am disappoint...
Yeah he's a hack, but he's our hack.
Dunnigan is such a hack that he ran SPI into bankruptcy at a time when they had the largest and most loyal wargamer base ever. They had to sell out to the Dungeons and Dragons people (TSR). [:@] Haven't forgiven him for that.
But I have
Victory at Sea on the same shelf as some of the above mentioned titles. It has some usefulness as a general reference book.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 8:48 pm
by dorjun driver
And let's not forget "How to Make War." The West will win because the East drinks the alcohol from the teat of their crappy tanks!
OK, I'm spent.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 9:13 pm
by AirGriff
I read a couple this year that were pretty good. "Neptunes Inferno" is an account of the US Navy's actions around Guadalcanal in late '42, early '43. Really vivid battle details and an interesting analysis of the decisions leading up to and following those battles.
The other one is "The Ghost Mountain Boys" by Campbell. It's about an American division (the 32nd I think--details are already fading) that fought in New Guinea. This book also gives some vivid details about what it was like to fight in that terrain (you'll never hear me complain about how long it takes a unit to march in the jungle and all the disruption it receives in AE). Not a lot of detail on what was going on elsewhere, but a very good look at the fight for New Guinea.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 9:26 pm
by HansBolter
Short of digging out some of mine to provide you a list, I recommend reading as many as possible by as many different authors as possible.
Doing this can help to reveal some of the bias and prejudice of various authors.
As an example one author portrays Kelly Turner as having walked on water and being singlehandedly responsible for the success of the American amphibious campaign. That same author portrays Fletcher as a complete coward who was the worst excuse for a carrier TF commander that ever existed.
Another author portrays Kelly turner as one of the most arrogant and difficult to work with SOBs to have ever existed and Fletcher as a prudent, cautious leader who deftly protected the vital carrier assets in the earlier days of vulnerablity.
Personally, I don't have strong feelings either way about either man and suspect that the truth lies somehwere in between the two extermes.
My point is to expose yourself to as many points of view as possible.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:13 pm
by Fallschirmjager
I noticed that when I posted, but those are used. My parents got my set for me. I have no idea where they got them from. For some reason I want to say that my mother perhaps ordered them straight from the publisher.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 2:00 pm
by Schanilec
ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager
I noticed that when I posted, but those are used. My parents got my set for me. I have no idea where they got them from. For some reason I want to say that my mother perhaps ordered them straight from the publisher.
Holy moly! That is expensive from Amazon. I purchased mine for $150.00 from the Military Issue. Hasn't been in the catalog for some time; but I'm sure it will be back. Just keep an eye out for it come come back. Half way through volume VIII: the Aluetians, New Guinea & the Marianna's. Great stuff.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 5:33 pm
by Macca
Thank you for all your answers!!! Now you got me browsing web in search!!!
I don't know what to start with;) gonna look for that 15 Vol monster;)
BTW
Best regards from Moscow, city of constant traffic jams, wonderful metro and incredible museums!!!
P.S. and slow internet in hotels....
Mac
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:06 pm
by treespider
The Home Library:
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:26 pm
by Nikademus
lol....i thought i was the only one who would have a copy of 2194 days of war. (well i "used" to have a copy)
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 9:05 pm
by spence
I would recommend:
Shattered Sword (just another endorsement)
Decision at Sea: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (Eric hammel)
Starvation Island (Eric Hammel again)
along with the Carrier Battles volume recommended earlier this constitutes a great trilogy about the Guadalcanal Campaign
Another interesting one is: A Long Days Journey Into War: December 7th, 1941. It concerns itself with the goings on all over the planet (Russia, North Africa, China) on that one single day and does a good job of fitting the U.S. entry into WWII into the context of the entire conflict.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:24 pm
by toonces
I just finished Eagle Against the Sun and thought it was an excellent 1-volume account of the Pacific war. It will leave you hungry for more.
Costello's Pacific War is always a good choice.
I thought At Dawn We Slept was excellent. Although at first I didn't think I would like it as it goes heavily into the background of the war, once it got rolling towards the Pearl Harbor attack I couldn't put it down.
A few books that weren't mentioned- Lundstrom has a few books about the Pacific war. I particularly enjoyed Black Shoe Carrier Admiral, which is probably the defense of Fletcher alluded to above. His two First Team books are also excellent, but air-centric.
I just started The Rising Sun this week and I'm interested to see how it compares to other 1-volume war accounts.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:43 pm
by barkman44
Japanese destroyer captain by Hara,Peleliu and two jima by Ross are good readable books.
Treespider you have a few books that I also possess-Prelude to Pearl Harbor is good,also see barrets Hitlers generals is the blue book to its right the one about Hitlers luftwaffe generals?There good to.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:47 pm
by Don Bowen
All those years (and dollars) collecting Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and now it's available online. Oh well, I prefer books. To lean over, spill coffee on, and put book marks in.
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:48 pm
by Don Bowen
The Green books are well worthwhile...
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific?
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:50 pm
by Don Bowen
Soem of this stuff is really great. Note two copies of World War II order of battle. The updated volume has just a little bit more...
