Operations in North African Waters: October 1942-June 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) (v. 2) [Hardcover]

Samuel Eliot Morison (Author)

Book Description

Series: History of United States Naval Operations in World War II | Publication Date: May 2001

This spectacular fifteen-volume series that charts the U.S. Naval operations during World War II with an insider's perspective. Morison, a Harvard professor, was given a special rank and writing post by FDR. He had active duty aboard eleven different ships, allowing him to witness many crucial battles in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Volume Two - the first book in the series to be actually published- details firsthand the North African campaign, the largest overseas expedition ever undertaken. Filled with many maps and file photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Terse, sinewy, meticulous, and sweeping. Morison's 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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Samuel Eliot Morison taught history at Harvard from 1915 to 1955, except for active duty service in the Navy aboard eleven different ships in all theaters of the war. In addition to this series, Rear Admiral Morison wrote many other popular and award-winning books on maritime history, including Two Ocean War. Morison, who died in 1976, was the recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes, two Bancroft Prizes, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Vincent P. O'Hara is the author of Struggle for the Middle Sea --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Castle Books (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785813039
• ISBN-13: 978-0785813033
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Morison's History an Epic, December 14, 2001

By 

jaljohnson (Los Angeles, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operations in North African Waters: October 1942-June 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) (v. 2) (Hardcover)

Morison's 15-volume set is epic in scope, impressive in detail, and literary in execution. Written shortly after the war, and covering the every significant naval activity during the conflict, it is an impressive achievement of both history and writing.

No history so expansive, and written so shortly after the war, can have all the details or rely on all the sources which come to light later, but Morison's history more than compensates for this by its immediacy. In many instances, Morison was there, or spoke with the participants shortly after the events and got their immediate impressions. Accurate or not, those perceptions are history too, and Morison did an impressive job filtering his first-hand material through after-acquired evidence to make a history which is personal, compelling and truthful.

The volume on North African operations covers an important, although less dramatic chapter in World War II, and suffers a little because of it -- the landings in Morocco and Algiers, important as they were to the successful conclusion of the war, simply do not provide the dramatic moments of Midway, Pearl Harbor, or the naval battles surrounding Guadalcanal. Still, it covers a fascinating and little-known chapter in the war, and is well worth the read. Morison successfully conveys the uncertain and unprecedented nature of a trans-Atlantic invasion, along with the sense of unknown risks present at the time in the minds of the participants. And Morison's prose, as in the other volumes of his history, is a joy to read in itself.

4.0 out of 5 stars WW II Pacific theater, February 27, 2011

By 

Cecil J. Hash (fort worth, tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Operations in North African Waters: October 1942-June 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) (v. 2) (Hardcover)

Covers an area of the Atlantic theater of WW II not often reviewed- worth reading if interested in WW II.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing style, May 17, 2005

By 

Joe (Wauconda,IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Operations in North African Waters: October 1942-June 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) (v. 2) (Hardcover)

Having read many WWII books over the years I never thought I would tackle a 15 volumn set that was written 40 some years ago but I started with this one and am I glad I did. Mr. Morison's writing style is very crisp and refreshing and makes what is a minor/little know aspect of the war interesting which prompted me to purchase the rest so that I can read the entire set.

If he can make the invasion of Northern France interetsing then I can only imagine what he will do with Midway & Gaudalcanal.

Great book