Customer Reviews

No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

General Twining's account is more than first-person as that portends one who witnessed history. He made it on Guadalcanal. This book is a superior account for one who desires to understand how war plans are made, how to train a unit and how to motivate men to do what is not normally done. He treats us to an excellent first-person insight of how one plans, equips, trains, and leads in combat. It is not a book from someone who sits in an ivory tower and has a better way of doing business. Finally, he reminds us of why we have Marines. A force that truly is ready to do our nations dirty business so we can stay free and secure.

For those deeply involved in reading about the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II, this book is MUST reading (five stars) since it presents the "inside" story by one of the major U.S. Marine Crops officers (Twining) participating in the campaign from the beginning until the Army took over. For the average reader, however, the account is not spell-binding and even weak in that the author notes that many early campaign records were purposely destroyed when it appeared the Marines might have to evacuate. - Keeping in mind that this is not a broad historical account such as Richard Franks' "Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account...", but rather a Marine participant's journal, it is very good down-to-earth substantiating reading and provides a lot of local color and personalities that the writer can place in an autobiographical piece that a professional author concerned with history will in most cases ignore. Nice reading.

History must always be judged on its honesty. Using this as a measuring stick, this is an excelent history. This is a first person account, or "Primary Source", and Primary sources tend to lose foucus on the larger picture of things. Not here. In this history, this author, Merrill B. Twining, was able to combine FOUR elements of a great story. 1) He was an eye-witness to the events. 2) He was an active participant in the decisions. 3) He weaves into the story the larger picture from sources on BOTH sides of the story, as in a classic "history". And finally, and most importantly, he holds nothing back. This is where primary sources so often fail. They tend to protect the people who were there with them, in the fighting. This bond of combat is the strongest there is, and, very often, mistakes or "situations" that could be embarrassing to a friend or hero,(possibly a dead war hero) are taken to the graves of those who were there to witness them and might know better. Gen. Alexander Archer Vandegrift,USMC, CMH winner and hero of Guadalcanal is now, because of this book, a real person. The fears, the strenghts, the intuition and the...dare I say it..the mistakes are now a part of public history and General Vandegrift is now a real person. Real people are worthy of admiration. Larger than life hollow bronze statues are far too lifeless and perfect to be real people. To be the one to tell the truth even when it may change the reputation of a dead war hero brother-in-arms is to demonstrate a courage and character that few men need demonstrate once in a lifetime. Merrill B. Twining has demonstrated these virtues twice. Once in combat and once again, with this book. The book itself is actually FUN to read. Guadalcanal is, as we all know, a very complicated topic, and explaining it is inherently problematic. Merrill Twining takes us on a B-17 ride with him and then into the rain soaked HQ tents with the tired and heroic "celebrities" of the Guadalcanal Campaign: Vandy, Red Mike, Bill Whaling, Foss, Turner, and of course, "Chesty" Puller. Its a VERY entertaining book. Not all Guadalcanal histories are, let's be honest. It's alot like Tameichi Hara's Japanese Destroyer Captain. (Another GREAT book..which I've always thought would make a great movie). On the chance that the General might someday read this review of his book, let me say what I say to all ww2 vets: thank you. And also, from one Marine to another, Semper Fi.

"No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal," by Merrill B. Twining, is a memoir by a U.S. Marine Corps officer who served on the headquarters staff of the First Marine Division during World War II. The book is edited by Neil G. Carey and features a foreword by Lieut. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, USMC (retired). Gen. Twining tells of the the Marines' stay in New Zealand in preparation for battle, the amphibious assault on the island of Guadalcanal, combat on the island, and the aftermath of his time on Guadalcanal.

This is a fascinating account of the massive effort to transform this island into what Twining calls "an unsinkable aircraft carrier." He offers a comprehensive and compelling look at how all the various individuals and organizations contributed to this epic effort, among them Marine aviators, Navy Seabees, the Army Air Corps, Navajo code talkers, native workers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, Army National Guard troops, and more. He tells about American relations and encounters with British, Australian, and New Zealander personnel.

Twining writes about the diseases, deprivation, and harsh conditions faced by the heroic personnel at Guadalcanal. But it's not all grim and serious. He offers colorful portraits of the people he served with and includes funny anecdotes--the book actually made me laugh out loud. Gen. Twining skilfully weaves interesting technical details about military tactics and gear into the compelling human story. Whether writing about techniques used to cool machine guns in the heat of battle or the merits of different boat loading techniques in an amphibious assault, Twining always offers some fascinating insights into the practical realities of war.

But what really makes this book remarkable, and even fun, is Twining's tone. Yes, he is a serious military professional, with respect and affection for the many remarkable men with whom he served. But his voice is also often quite feisty and cutting. He doesn't hold back when criticizing many instances of military stupidity and short-sightedness. At times his writing even has a blisteringly satiric edge. "No Bended Knee" is a spirited and superbly written addition to the glorious canon of American military memoirs.

General Twining writes on such a high level that his opinion is lacking in some of the grunt's feelings about the first American offensive of World War II. He sees the mud and blood in a different perspective than an enlisted man, and tells about it in language that make it sound like a board game. Having read many accounts of the battle for Guadalcanal, and having been there myself, I find the book highly informative. Now, I finally feel like I know why I was there. Bravo and Semper Fidelis

Being more of a fan of the actual combatants view of the battle i was not interested in this viewpoint from a man who did no fighting, only planning. The book gives a good view of future marine corps commandant general Vandegrift. This book is not a fighting man's book but one from the point of view from a member of the commanding general's staff.

A very fine and important report from one of the very top participants on "the Canal" in 1942. It gives us an insight of the campaign from its planning stages to the day when the 1st Marine Division finally were allowed to rest. It brought my already immense admirations of the Marines to an even higher level. Thank you, is all I can say to Gen. Twining and his comrades in arms

Best book I have read about this campaign and I've read most of them. The author played a big part in and witnessed the innerworkings of the HQ during the battle. It is by far the most informative and enjoyable battle account I have ever read.

I recently read Jeff Shaara's book about this battle which was a historical fiction with a lot of his perception of the battle and our victory. He included fictional characters and followed them through the story. He is an excellent story teller.

No Bended Knee reads somewhat like an after action report, but in a narrative presentation. It is an excellent account written by the Division Operation Officer (D-3). He tells of the lack of support which led to the Marine's vulnerability and the resulting lack of supplies. He presents the Navy side of why the ships pulled out leaving the Marines on their own. His account weighs on being as objective as possible, yet telling the reader what our Marines went through due to the Navy no longer giving their support during the critical early days of their invasion. He personally lived through these trials.

General Twining was the commanding General at Marine Corps Schools when I went through the 20th OCC class at T&T Regiment, and I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly. He was one of the best pistol marksmen in the Corps. His outstanding preparedness of Amphibious Assault between the two World Wars was a major contribution to all landing forces, and it was interesting to learn of his mission in preparing the facilities necessary for the landing of the !st Mar Div in New Zealand. Canvas to Docks.

I recommend this book to those who desire the facts of this early and decisive battle and can appreciate the effect that the establishment of Henderson Field was the US forces progressed to victory in the Pacific. The Cactus Air Force served many important roles during these actions.

Semper Fi, General Twining!

This book should be a must read to all of those who have any interest in Guadalcanal. The book is written in such a way that a reader can get lost in the tale. As you read the book you will swear that you hear the guns roar, feel the jungle humidity as you turn page after page. The author was a very central figure in the battle. It is written in such a way it makes you feel you are talking to the guy. His perspectives brings a new light to understand the why behind what happened. He really covers the intangible things extremely well behind the critical decisions effecting the battle. HE even covers the important but seldom discussed things like the divisional training before the battle.

The con side of the book is it's perspective. Readers should understand he was at the top of the chain. Thus the story is told from that perspective. If a reader wants an understanding of the grunt on the line they should check out another book like the famous Guadalcanal diaries.

A definite must read for any serious student of the war.