History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. 5: The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942-February 1943 [Paperback]

Samuel Eliot Morison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2001 | ISBN-10: 025206996X | ISBN-13: 978-0252069963

During the six months covered by volume five of Samuel Eliot Morison's magnificent history, the United States Navy fought six major engagements in waters surrounding Guadalcanal, more bitter and bloody than any naval battle in American history since 1814. From the Solomon Islands campaigns to the courageous action of Edson's Raiders at the Battle of the Bloody Ridge, from the great three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal to the Battle of Tassafaronga, Morison describes the events of these excruciating months in thrilling, heartbreaking detail from the shipdecks, cockpits, and exposed ridgetops where the fate of thousands of soldiers and sailors was decided. "You may search the seven seas in vain for an ocean graveyard with the bones of so many ships and sailors as that body of water between Guadalcanal, Savo, and Florida Islands which our bluejackets named Ironbottom Sound," writes Morison. His account of the action is both harrowing and inspiring, an insider's tribute to those who made Guadalcanal the proving ground of their resourcefulness, tenacity, and courage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" 'For us who were there, or whose friends were there,' says Captain Morison in conclusion, 'Guadalcanal is not a name but an emotion.' To this one must say amen, while noting that emotion has not impeded the production of a fine volume on the bitterest and most complicated six months' fighting of the Pacific war." -- American Historical Review " Magnificently told." -- San Francisco Chronicle " Morison's clear narrative of complex and confused battles could hardly be bettered." -- Times Literary Supplement " Terse, sinewy, meticulous, and sweeping. Morison's 15-volume history of the U.S. Navy in World War II was a milestone in the record of 20th-century arms... Admiral Morison's series has merited a central niche in the annals of WWII." - WWII History

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (June 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 025206996X
• ISBN-13: 978-0252069963
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,693,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historic View of Guadalcanal, October 5, 2007

By 

D. Lisle (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. 5: The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942-February 1943 (Paperback)

After finding out that my father served at Guadalcanal (sadly after he passed away), I became very curious about what it was like. This book summed up everything I wanted to know about Guadalcanal and the surrounding battles. The writing style is crisp and accurate and you get a feeling of being there. One minor caveat, this was written shortly after the war, so some of the words are not PC for today's world. Ignore it though, it shouldn't offend anyone but the most sensitive.

If you like WW II history and want to know more about this epic battle (actually battles - land and sea) this is the best book to get all you need to know.

4.0 out of 5 stars Another keeper, February 14, 2009

By 

Patrick Watson "Author of Watson's Really Big... (Redding, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. 5: The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942-February 1943 (Paperback)

As with all the books in Morison's series this is a must read if you want to know what really happened with the US Navy during World War II. The author has a definite talent for taking rather dry facts and figures and adding enough human interest and humor to keep the reader involved. I have the complete series and I will never part with it. If you buy this book or any of the others in the series, you will not be disappointed.