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lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
Hornfischer is a master of naval battle narrative, really capturing the full picture of battle from all sides and bringing it to life in amazing detail. It seems like an impossible task--to make these seemingly distant moments in time feel real--and he literally never misses. This is no exception, with the sea and air battles around Guadalcanal brought to thrilling, terrifying, human existence. Highly recommend.
eldiente's review against another edition
5.0
Audio - I knew almost nothing about the Battle of Guadalcanal prior to listening to this book. While no expert afterwards, I do feel like I have a much better understanding of the major factors leading to the United States successful taking a retaining this Solomon Island during World War II. I am awed by the sacrifices of those military men on both sides and am reminded just how brutal war really is. As a patriotic American, I found the author's perspective to be satisfying and his obvious detailed research to be evident. It was eighteen hours well spent.
Edit 22 May 2012 - one of the marks of a good book for me is the recolletions I have several months afterwards. This book has continued to haunt me with remembrances of real men engaged in war in places far away from my own. I really enjoyed it.
Edit 22 May 2012 - one of the marks of a good book for me is the recolletions I have several months afterwards. This book has continued to haunt me with remembrances of real men engaged in war in places far away from my own. I really enjoyed it.
didactylos's review against another edition
5.0
Very well ordered and evidenced factual account of the battles for Guadalcanal and associated islands. Stunning descriptions of the mayhem of naval actions and the inability of the commanders to understand the technology they had at their fingertips. Extremely informative.
nelsta's review against another edition
5.0
One of the single greatest histories of warfare I have read, James D. Hornfischer delivers with an epic tale of how the United States Navy wrested control of the waters off Guadalcanal from the Imperial Japanese Navy. I offend found myself unable to move due to the excitement on each page. It is well researched and remarkably well written. His imagery continues to stick in my mind days after finishing the book. I will continue to avidly read everything Hornfischer writes.
harrisonpunch's review against another edition
3.0
I'd say I'm mixed on this book. Another book I read for the sake of professional reading, this one being on the commandant's professional reading list (Marines). Many parts of this book were really striking, accounts of the brutality of life directly on the battlefield. Many personal accounts of survival. The other thing I really liked was the discussion on the change of technology and war doctrine; specifically new radio technologies affecting the war. I was surprised how common friendly fire. I think an important notion in the book was the strength the United States military received from multi-branch operations, compared to the Japanese forces that were so disconnected as to seem to have different aims from one another. Many good examples of favorable leadership qualities. Overall a good book, I just struggled follow all the names and places, it muddied the narrative in some parts.