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Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 10:15:00 AM   
Macca


Posts: 36
Joined: 7/18/2007
From: Poland
Status: offline 		Hi,

I was thinking whether some of you Pacific Theatre buffs here could recommend some English language books on the subject. Currently I'm reading Ronald Spector's Eagle Against the Sun, but would also like some more detailed ones.

Would appreciate any suggestions,

cheers

Macca

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 11:03:29 AM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Two excellent books I have read are:

Shattered Sword (Parshall + Tully) Potomac Books

The Forgotten Fleet (Winton) DB Books

The first is about the Battle of Midway seen from the Japanese perspective, while the second is about the British Pacific Fleet's contribution to the war against Japan. Both written in very readable styles and highly recommended.

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Post #: 2
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 11:43:47 AM   
ilovestrategy


Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline 		Shattered Sword. I loved it so much I read it twice back to back.

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 1:32:48 PM   
Fishbed

 

Posts: 1822
Joined: 11/21/2005
From: Beijing, China - Paris, France
Status: offline 		Beautiful Avatar Macca, you're a person of taste when it comes to classic games

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 5:54:07 PM   
Shellshock


Posts: 533
Joined: 12/31/2010
From: U.S.
Status: offline 		John Toland's The Rising Sun, although it skips around a lot and it's getting a little long in the tooth.

I sometimes wish there was an extensive trilogy comparable to Shelby Foote's The Civil War.

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Post #: 5
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 6:02:24 PM   
ilovestrategy


Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Shellshock

John Toland's The Rising Sun, although it skips around a lot and it's getting a little long in the tooth.




I love that book. Great read.

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Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

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Post #: 6
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 6:02:26 PM   
Talon_XBMCX


Posts: 220
Joined: 8/1/2008
Status: offline 		Shattered Sword is an excellent book. I also enjoyed Eric Hammel's Carrier Strike and Bergerud's Fire in the Sky

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Post #: 7
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 6:16:22 PM   
SuluSea


Posts: 2358
Joined: 11/17/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Macca

Hi,

I was thinking whether some of you Pacific Theatre buffs here could recommend some English language books on the subject. Currently I'm reading Ronald Spector's Eagle Against the Sun, but would also like some more detailed ones.

Would appreciate any suggestions,

cheers

Macca

Hi , I just recieved the book today in the mail, how are you liking it?

I'd recommend Fire in the Sky , there are some here that don't share my enthusiasm for Bergerud's writing style but I thought both Fire in the Sky and Touched with Fire was fantastic and am eagerly anticipating Oil on the Water this September.

< Message edited by SuluSea -- 5/14/2011 6:21:33 PM >

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 9:21:49 PM   
Macca


Posts: 36
Joined: 7/18/2007
From: Poland
Status: offline 		Hi and thanks for all the replies:)

I'm not far into the Eagle against the Sun, currently I'm reading the first Chapter about the state of the American armed forces prior to the attack on Pearl. So far I'm loving the book, the style is very accessible, it simply sucked me into it.

Though I am Polish I've always been interested in the Pacific Theatre. There haven't been many books on that topic translated into Polish so I'd like to look for some English language books...

and yes, Silent Service was a great series...Wish I still had my Amiga 500 and that lovely box.... maybe it is time to play somme SH4 or WITPAE;;)

cheers!!

Maciej

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/14/2011 11:52:29 PM   
Schorsch

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 1/25/2010
From: Germany
Status: offline 		Just google H. P. Willmot. He wrote several Books about WWII and esecially the Pacific Theatre

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Post #: 10
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 1:49:24 AM   
dorjun driver


Posts: 641
Joined: 4/20/2006
From: Port Townsend: hex 210,51
Status: offline 		You also might want to explore John B. Lundstrom's body of work.  While his focus is mostly on carrier fighter divisions, he offers some Big Picture insights as well.

And if you're cheap, like me, most of his stuff is available for free via your local inter-library loan system.  For free.  Or did I mention that already?

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Post #: 11
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 2:11:41 AM   
Pascal_slith


Posts: 1651
Joined: 8/20/2003
From: back in Commiefornia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: dorjun driver

You also might want to explore John B. Lundstrom's body of work.  While his focus is mostly on carrier fighter divisions, he offers some Big Picture insights as well.

And if you're cheap, like me, most of his stuff is available for free via your local inter-library loan system.  For free.  Or did I mention that already?



He's in Poland. Does he have interlibrary loan with Britain or the US?

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 3:46:42 AM   
dorjun driver


Posts: 641
Joined: 4/20/2006
From: Port Townsend: hex 210,51
Status: offline 		I would bloody well hope so. I received "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660-1805" from a library in Ireland through my podunk ILL system. The "copy" I got was published in 1890.

Even so, would the unavailability through a library disqualify Lundstrom?

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Post #: 13
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 5:31:23 AM   
Macca


Posts: 36
Joined: 7/18/2007
From: Poland
Status: offline 		Im afraid we don't have such agreement with either British or American libraries. Thanks for the authors' names, gonna look for some of these books;)


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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 6:29:58 AM   
Fallschirmjager


Posts: 6793
Joined: 3/18/2002
From: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Status: offline 		http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States_Naval_Operations_in_World_War_II

I got it for Christmas almost 10 years ago. It is hard to come by now in complete form but is completely worth it.


The 15th and final book is also excellent because it contains an index that lists dozens upon dozens of other works that you can then branch out from and reference.

< Message edited by Fallschirmjager -- 5/15/2011 6:34:08 AM >

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 8:55:10 AM   
sprior


Posts: 8596
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Portsmouth, UK
Status: offline 		You might want to try these too:

Fire in the Sky

Touched with Fire

Nemesis

The Longest War

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"History started badly and hav been geting steadily worse."
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Post #: 16
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 4:16:21 PM   
Big B

 

Posts: 4870
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: Old Los Angeles pre-1960
Status: offline 		This excellent series is actually available through Amazon.com.
History of United States Naval Operations in World War II 15 Volume Set [Hardcover]

In the internet(s) age, hard to find books and videos can usually be obtained through online shopping....

Hope it helps,
B


quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States_Naval_Operations_in_World_War_II

I got it for Christmas almost 10 years ago. It is hard to come by now in complete form but is completely worth it.


The 15th and final book is also excellent because it contains an index that lists dozens upon dozens of other works that you can then branch out from and reference.



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Post #: 17
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 5:03:17 PM   
Don Bowen


Posts: 8183
Joined: 7/13/2000
From: Georgetown, Texas, USA
Status: offline
If you don't mind paperback you can get them a little cheaper. Hope this link works...

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?ATH=Samuel+Eliot+Morison&SRT=R&STORE=book&SZE=10&AREF=1534&REFGRP=3

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Post #: 18
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 5:26:41 PM   
nashvillen


Posts: 3836
Joined: 7/3/2006
From: Christiana, TN
Status: offline 		Morison's 15 volume set has just been reprinted this year by the Naval Institute Press, and, like FJ, BigB, and DonB have said, is available from your favorite book source. I am sure you local brick and morter store could order them for you.

I had been looking for this set for years and am finally being able to get the full set in matching covers.

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 5:54:15 PM   
Heeward


Posts: 343
Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Lacey Washington
Status: offline 		Check out the Naval Institute Press Web:
http://www.usni.org/navalinstitutepress

Consider joining the military book club or just looking at their web site.

All the books listed at both sites should be available through Amazon.Com

By the way currently reading
Clear the Bridge the War Patrols of the USS Tang by Richard O'Kane



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The Wake

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Post #: 20
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 6:05:10 PM   
Big B

 

Posts: 4870
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: Old Los Angeles pre-1960
Status: offline 		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:
quote:

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.


< Message edited by Big B -- 5/15/2011 8:25:17 PM >

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 6:31:41 PM   
Big B

 

Posts: 4870
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: Old Los Angeles pre-1960
Status: offline 		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:
quote:

The content of HyperWar consists primarily of official documents produced by various agencies of the United States, United Kingdom and British Commonwealth governments.



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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 6:34:14 PM   
Don Bowen


Posts: 8183
Joined: 7/13/2000
From: Georgetown, Texas, USA
Status: offline
One more....

For a good overview of the Naval aspects, all campaigns but less detail, try
http://www.amazon.com/Two-Ocean-War-History-United-States/dp/1591145244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305480764&sr=1-1

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Post #: 23
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 6:42:30 PM   
dorjun driver


Posts: 641
Joined: 4/20/2006
From: Port Townsend: hex 210,51
Status: offline 		Where is the love for anything by Dunnigan/Nofi?

I am disappoint...
Yeah he's a hack, but he's our hack.

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Post #: 24
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 10:53:13 PM   
Kapitanma

 

Posts: 13
Joined: 1/24/2011
Status: offline 		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...

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Post #: 25
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 11:11:02 PM   
USS Henrico

 

Posts: 152
Joined: 8/2/2009
From: Charlottesville, VA
Status: offline
quote:

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.

(in reply to dorjun driver)
Post #: 26
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/15/2011 11:48:36 PM   
dorjun driver


Posts: 641
Joined: 4/20/2006
From: Port Townsend: hex 210,51
Status: offline 		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.

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Post #: 27
RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/16/2011 12:13:09 AM   
AirGriff


Posts: 701
Joined: 10/11/2004
Status: offline 		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.

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/16/2011 12:26:11 AM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		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.

< Message edited by HansBolter -- 5/16/2011 12:28:41 AM >

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RE: Books about the War in the Pacific? - 5/16/2011 2:13:16 AM   
Fallschirmjager


Posts: 6793
Joined: 3/18/2002
From: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Big B

This excellent series is actually available through Amazon.com.
History of United States Naval Operations in World War II 15 Volume Set [Hardcover]

In the internet(s) age, hard to find books and videos can usually be obtained through online shopping....

Hope it helps,
B


quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States_Naval_Operations_in_World_War_II

I got it for Christmas almost 10 years ago. It is hard to come by now in complete form but is completely worth it.


The 15th and final book is also excellent because it contains an index that lists dozens upon dozens of other works that you can then branch out from and reference.





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.

< Message edited by Fallschirmjager -- 5/16/2011 2:16:38 AM >

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Post #: 30
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