Customer Reviews

The Solomons Campaigns, 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville, Pacific War Turning Point, Vol. II (Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII series)

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Author, WWII Navy veteran and military historian William L. McGee has done it again! His Volume I, "The Amphibians Are Coming!" was a fabulous work, but Volume II, "The Solomons Campaigns" is in a league of its own.

Readers get a firsthand account of the way it was done with LCIs, LCTs and LSTs as they hauled the Marines, Army and Air Force and their tools of war in the Pacific Theater.

Navy and coast guardsmen can more fully appreciate the role they played in those flat-bottomed, hard-riding sand and coral scrappers.

This volume covers Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Gavutu, Savo Island, Cape Esperance, Santa Cruz, Tassafaronga, Rennell Island and the Russells from the beginning to the bitter end.

The part most readers will be enlightened by is Chapter 9, "Lessons Learned in the Solomons" by the Army, Navy and Marines. These lessons were beneficial to later Pacific campaigns.

This is a great source book for abbreviations, acronyms, ship and aircraft designations, code words, map symbols and listings of amphibious ship and craft. The book also provides the best possible use of maps and charts to illustrate the action. Most pages include photos of the event written about--some shown for the first time.

I highly recommend "The Solomons Campaigns" by William L. McGee to those who served in the South Pacific or to those who have a special interest in the Pacific Theater of WWII.

Get your copy now!

--R. McNeill, LSM-342

"If your children or grandchildren have ever asked, `What did you do in the war?' point them to McGee's books. Throughout you will find yourself saying, `Yup, that was us,' and I guarantee you'll have renewed respect for the guy you see in the mirror every morning."
--Howard Clarkson, USS LCI National Association

"SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS will become the definitive work on the campaigns."
--John Cummer, President, USS LCI National Association

"Your books brought tears to my eyes. A `must read' for all sea services veterans and their descendants."
--Charles C. Espy, Lt (jg), USNR, SS Thomas Nelson, Armed Guard C.O.

"As a Marine who landed on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS is the most comprehensive book that I've read on the war in the Solomons. It brought back memories of those very dark days. Semper Fi."
--William J. Carroll, President, Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans

"To say Bill McGee is a serious naval historian is an understatement. As they say in the Navy, well done!"
--W. C. Hilderbrand, Capt, CEC, USN (Ret), CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation

"SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS is perfectly balanced between riveting history, personal narratives, and pleasing layout packed with photos, maps, and illustrations. As the son of a Flotilla Five veteran of the Pacific, McGee's books are a fine tribute to all who served in that theater."
--Ron Swanson, Editor, The Flotilla, LCT Flotillas of WWII

"Having experienced a full measure of life at sea during WWII, I find your military histories detailed, vivid, accurate. They capture the essence of that war."
--Anthony P. Tesori, USNR, Gunnery Officer, LST-340

William L Magee's account of these pivotal and complex series of battles in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War,is both detailed and informative. His research has obviously been indepth and displays accuracy. I was disappointed, however, at the degree of 'redneck' language. Terms like 'Japs', 'Nipponese', 'sent to their ancestors',and others cheapened the quality of the rest of the text. US dead and injured were treated with respect in the book, why not the Japanese? Surely an historical account written in 2001 doesn't have to sound like the script of a John Wayne movie of the 1950's!