Alone on Guadalcanal: A Coastwatcher's Story [Hardcover]

Martin Clemens (Author), Allan Reed Millett (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

This remarkable memoir by the near-mythic British district officer and coastwatcher who helped shape the first great Allied counteroffensive in the Pacific war is a compelling true adventure story based on a journal Martin Clemens kept during the war. At the same time, it might well be the last critical source of analysis of the Solomons campaign. Handsome, articulate, and courageous, the Scottish-born, Cambridge-educated Clemens managed to survive years behind Japanese lines in one of the most unfriendly climates and terrains in the world. After many partisan and spy missions, in 1942 he emerged from the jungle and integrated his Melanesian commando force into the heart of the 1st Marine Division's operations, earning decorations and the unfettered admiration of now-legendary Marine officers like Vandegrift, Thomas, Twining, Edson, and Pate. His unique perspective, fleshed out from detailed diary entries, provides a revealing - not always flattering - portrait of the Solomons campaign and the Marines who directed it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A remarkable memoir by the near-mythic British coastwatcher who helped shape the first great Allied counter-offensive in the Pacific war. -- New York Review of Books

Significant as an account of the raw physical and moral courage demonstrated by British and Australian coastwatchers against overwhelming odds. -- Choice

The only man who could tell it has finally told the story. And he has told it well. -- Leatherneck --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Martin Clemens served as a British colonial administrator in the Pacific, Palestine, and Cyprus, specializing in political administration and antiterrorism. He lives in Australia. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155750122X
• ISBN-13: 978-1557501226
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great firsthand account - feels like you were there!, April 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Alone on Guadalcanal: A Coastwatcher's Story (Hardcover)

Superb account of the early days of World War II in the Solomon Islands. No other book is as effective in taking the reader back to this uncertain period just prior to the turning point of the war. Mr. Clemons work is truly a unique perspective and anyone remotely interested in this campaign and period of history must remind themselves that Mr. Clemons was one of only a handful of people in a position to witness firsthand, the early events that unfolded into a military campaign of epic proportions. I am a VERY SELECTIVE READER and this is a classic piece of work. For those of you who have read every book on this campaign - this one fills in the gaps and truly personalizes it all. When I put the book down and relect on what I read, it feels like I was there - very nice. Contains some `fresh' pictures too. It's based off of Mr. Clemons diary/notes he kept during his time on Guadalcanal. There's even a picture of his dairy/notepad in the beginning of the book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWII: The definitive Story of the British Solomon Islands, August 22, 2001

By 

Sanford B. Hunt (Lubbock Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alone on Guadalcanal: A Coastwatcher's Story (Hardcover)

For people interested in the Pacific WWII. This is the only book that provides the complete story of Coastwatchers and how they helped win the war on Guadalcanal. Never before been told and written by a near-mythic Coastwatcher Martin Clemens A compelling true adventure story. Of particular interest to Marines who were there but didn't have the slightest idea of what was going on in the background. For First Marine Division Marines this is a MUST read. I was there with Martin Clemens.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coastwatcher in World War II, March 8, 2006

By 

Mother Superior (East Central Illinois) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alone on Guadalcanal: A Coastwatcher's Story (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

I have read Walter Lord's book "Lonely Vigil" about the Pacific Island Coastwatchers several times and greatly enjoyed it. This, however, is a full book about just one of these Coastwatchers, and goes into quite a bit more detail about the daily routine and happenings during that time. He was most likely the most experienced and senior Coastwatcher, and his interaction with U.S. forces was extremely helpful.