The Battle for Guadalcanal [Paperback]

Samuel B. Griffith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0252068912 | ISBN-13: 978-0252068911 | Publication Date: July 13, 2000

Masterful pacing, vivid character sketches, and gripping action blend with rigorous historical detail in Samuel B. Griffith's The Battle for Guadalcanal. Launched on August 7, 1942, to protect Allied control of the strategic South Pacific islands, the Guadalcanal operation was the most costly American offensive of World War II in the history of the U.S. Navy up to that time. Griffith, who fought with Edson's Raiders on Guadalcanal, describes in gritty detail the vicious close-range fighting, the valiant defense of the Henderson Field airstrip, and the dramatic naval engagements that led, in February 1943, to an American victory. Drawing on American and Japanese sources, Griffith delineates the strategic decisions that shaped the conflict as well as the determination and endurance of combatants on both sides. A breathtaking narrative of military action anchored by a historian's objectivity, The Battle for Guadalcanal is a story of raw courage, desperate measures, and ultimate triumph.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thrilling narrative. It has the authentic quality of Marine Corps greatness." -- Marquis Childs "[The] writing is factual, but because it pays attention to personalities, it is also human and vivid... Highly interesting ... and eminently readable." -- Elbridge Colby, America "[Griffith] has succeeded admirably in producing a concise and coherent account." -- Library Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (July 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252068912
• ISBN-13: 978-0252068911
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A complete and easy read of a unique campaign in WW II ., April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Battle for Guadalcanal (Hardcover)

I completely enjoyed this book by. Mr. Griffith. I found it an interesting narrative of actual historic events without a hint of bias. Further, the photos and scale drawings of the military equipment and colorful battle maps, both of the land conflict and the complicated sea battles were easy to understand. I wish I could buy another copy of this excellent book as my original is getting alittle frayed around the edges. This book covered all the bases for this historic battle was fought in the air, on land, and brother, some incredible sea battles were waged around this small island.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent history of the Battle for Guadalcanal, April 29, 2001

By 

Todd (Hartsville, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battle for Guadalcanal (Paperback)

"The Battle for Guadalcanal" deals with the United States military's first offensive campaign in the Second World War. The six-month battle was a hard fought, viscous war of attrition where the U.S. military learned many valuable lessons. The first and most important lesson, was that the Japanese were not invincible.

Originally published in 1963, The Battle for Guadalcanal gives a very unique perspective of the conflict. Dr. Griffith was a Marine Lt. Colonel on Guadalcanal -- he won the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross before being evacuated due to shrapnel wounds. He even wrote about his combat experience (including being wounded) in the third person, which must have been a little strange!

Most importantly, Dr. Griffith (who retired from the Marines as a Brigadier General) interviewed many of his commanding officers and opponents. He even had his commanding officer, Brigadier General Alexander Vandegrift, as well as Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz read the final manuscript before it went to press. From an editorial standpoint, you can't go wrong with those gentlemen!

This unique perspective really leads to a well researched, historically precise work.

Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Turning of the Tide, July 10, 2009

By 

Dave Schranck "Dave" (Anaheim Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Battle for Guadalcanal (Paperback)

I really wanted to give this book five stars for I really admire the author but there are some minor things that prevented me.
This is the first land offensive where our marines expelled the Japanese from their defenses and began the process of recapturing lost ground. Lt Col Griffith, a battalion commander and medal recipient, was there and saw the bravery and also the destruction first hand and because of that I expected more of the book.

The key events are mentioned: The introduction describes the appointments of Adm King and Adm Ghormley to their respective new positions; it also explains in the early days, men and resources were hard to come by and Adm King had to fight for everything he needed. The landings, Fletcher's abandonment, taking Henderson field, the Savo naval engagement, Halsey replacing Ghormley, Bloody Ridge, Galloping Horse, Gifi etc, etc. The key events on the ground, sea and air are mention like other books on Guadalcanal but I expected to learn inside dope that only a serving officer on the island would know but didn't get it. I expected the descriptions of the battles to be thorough and detailed with plenty of analysis but were surprised not to find it. The descriptions were good but not overly detailed or extensive which could come from an eye witness.
There were only six black and white maps of the island. There should have been more maps to correspond to the many individual engagements and the details of the troop defensive positions and the Japanese attack lanes should have been more deliberate.

Even with this criticism, I do like the book and it is an important part of my collection. The author has an engaging style and most people would like the book. It would be appealing for first time readers of the campaign because it is interesting and easy to follow; its not as involved as some of the full length books from Hammel, Frank or Greenfield