A review by harrisonpunch
Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal by James D. Hornfischer

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.