The Empire Falls: Battle of Midway (Graphic History) [Paperback]

Steve White (Author), Richard Elson (Illustrator), Gary Erskine (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Graphic History

One of the most important naval battles in history, Midway marked a crucial turning point in the war in the Pacific. With a fleet that had dominated this theater since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese anticipated certain victory against the US forces. Outgunned and under strength, the US Navy nevertheless had superior intelligence that cracked the code well before the battle's onset: the Japanese ambush did not come as a surprise. From July 4-7, 1942, the US dealt a devastating blow to the Imperial Japanese Fleet, sinking four irreplaceable aircraft carriers, and clearing the way for the island-hopping US counterattack. Characterized by espionage, daring, luck, and extreme heroism on both sides, the story of Midway is vividly retold in compelling graphic novel format. This book also includes eight pages of authoritative information, placing the battle in its historical context, describing the key players, and its build-up and aftermath.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve White worked for Marvel UK on such comics as The Real Ghostbusters, Thundercats, Transformers, Action Force and The Punisher. Comic writing credits include Rogue Trooper and Black Light and Flesh: Chronicide, for 2000 AD. He currently works for Titan Publishing, and has edited Modesty Blaise, Dan Dare, Wallace & Gromit Comic and Best of the Simpsons. He lives and works in London. The author lives in London, UK.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846030587
• ISBN-13: 978-1846030581
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Falls Short, March 14, 2008

By 

C. WOHLRAB "Desert Mole" (Kabul Afghanistan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Empire Falls: Battle of Midway (Graphic History) (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my 9 yr old son for Christmas and we read it together. I was disappointed at the number of errors in it. I have studied the Battle of Midway for well over 20 years, and found that while the overall facts were fairly good, the number of technical errors were alarming. In one instance the type aircraft used by the Marine Dive Bomber squadron was misidentified and in a number of other instances the drawings did not match the types of aircraft or ships being described in the narrative. I primarily fault the publisher, Osprey, who normally does a pretty thorough job of fact checking in their books. Hopefully others in the series will be better prepared.

2.0 out of 5 stars Uneven Graphic Comic on the Battle of Midway!, June 26, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Empire Falls: Battle of Midway (Graphic History) (Paperback)

In October 2006 Osprey Publishing unveilied its 'Graphic History' line of historical comics. The first releases dealt with the battles of Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, Antietam, Shiloh and this volume. If EMPIRE FALLS, BATTLE OF MIDWAY is representative of the series, Osprey needs to work on some sloppy researching.

I realize these titles are aimed at young adults/teens but, whatever the intended audience, books need to have their facts straight.

For example, some designations/spellings in the book aren't correct. The F2 Brewster Buffalo is actually an F2A. Grumman is spelled throughout the book as Gruman. USS Hammann is misspelled Hamman and so on.

Incorrect facts: (1) Those 'Marine Gruman TBF Avengers' launching from Midway are actually USN TBFs from VT-8. (2) USS Nautilus attacked IJN units not USS Cuttlefish. (3) The VT-8 TBDs were led by Lt. Cdr. John Waldron not Waldon. (4) Akagi was hit by one bomb not two. (5) In the book's final pages, IJN cruiser Mogami has her bow bent back when she rams sister-ship Mikuma. However the cruiser depicted sinking is labeled Mikuma yet clearly has a bent-back bow!

Then too some of the drawings are pretty poor representations of their subjects (i.e. F4Fs, IJN Mogami, etc.)

To be fair, I'll try out several other 'Graphic History' titles. I trust they won't show the same degree of factual sloppiness as EMPIRE FALLS.

Bottom line: Good concept; needs lots of work. EMPIRE FALLS: Not recommended.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable book, March 7, 2009

By 

HistoryBoy (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Empire Falls: Battle of Midway (Graphic History) (Paperback)

I'm a nine year old boy and I think this book is very enjoyable. It helps me understand what happened in Midway. I know that the reviews are bad but I think that as long as you get the point It's pretty good. I know it is a little confusing but after you read it a couple times it will seem like you have been reading it for years. The picture's help me understand what happened on the days of battle. But at least we know the important things of midway. You know that the kids are just going to read the comic's. I understand why the information should be right but as long as you know the important things of Midway. your kid is going to still enjoy the book. what can be better than that.If you know that the carrier's sunk and the other things in midway YOUR KID WILL GROW UP AND BE SUCCESSFUL.