The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945--The Last Epic Struggle of World War II [Hardcover]

Bill Sloan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 2007

The Ultimate Battle tells the full story of the Battle of Okinawa as it has never been told before, using the same up-close narrative style and "grunt's-eye" view of the action that distinguishes Sloan's Brotherhood of Heroes from other war books. It is a gripping story of heroism, sacrifice, and death in the largest land-sea-air operation in US history. From April to June 1945, more than 250,000 American and Japanese lives were lost (including those of nearly 150,000 civilians who either committed suicide or were caught in the crossfire). It is a story told against a panorama of 1,300 American ships, 1,900 Japanese kamikazes sworn to sink those ships, and two huge armies (the 541,000-member U.S. Tenth Army of GIs and Marines, and Japan's 110,000-man 32nd Army) locked in a no-quarter struggle to the death. But woven into the broader narrative, in Band-of-Brothers style, are the personal stories of men who endured this epic battle - more than sixty of whom were interviewed by the author. In many cases, their experiences are told here in print for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Gripping. Authoritative. Masterfully told. I cannot praise this book highly enough.'' --Alex Kershaw, author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter

''Narrator Robertson Dean takes advantage of the chaos created by kamikaze attacks and bonsai charges to convey the desperation of the Japanese. His emotional level varies from almost shouting in battle to low whispers as men discuss the wounds of dying buddies while near them.'' --AudioFile

''Bill Sloan has a real feel for the human side of this horrific drama. He suggests there can never be such a battle again, and by the time you've finished reading, you will pray he's right. A powerful, moving book.'' --Evan Thomas, author of Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign, 1941-1945

''[A] compelling, immensely evocative story . . . The defining battle of the Pacific War, seen primarily through the experiences of the sailors, soldiers, and airmen who suffered through it. This is a terrific work.'' --Donald L. Miller, author of Masters of the Air and D-Days in the Pacific

''Memory of an epic battle that altered history has begun to fade. Yet, the fighting for Okinawa was so ferocious that it influenced America's decision to use the atomic bomb. If Japan would fight so furiously for an island outpost, what would an invasion of the mainland cost? Bill Sloan answers that question in this close up, you-are-there account of the Pacific war's ultimate struggle. Battle reportage at its finest.'' --Joseph E. Persico, author of Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleven Hour: Armistice Day 1918 --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st Simon & Schuster Hardcover Ed edition (October 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743292464
• ISBN-13: 978-0743292467
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War, December 12, 2007

By 

Jeffrey T. Munson (Dixon, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945--The Last Epic Struggle of World War II (Hardcover)

In keeping with the style of his previous books "Given Up For Dead" and "Brotherhood of Heroes", author Bill Sloan tells a gripping story of the last and bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. Loaded with personal accounts from survivors of the battle, this excellent book throws the reader into the front lines of the greatest amphibious assault of the war.

On April 1, 1945, American Army and Marine forces stormed the beaches on Okinawa. Accompanying the troops was a massive naval armada of over 1,500 ships of all types, from LSTs to fast carriers and battleships. The Americans were expecting massive resistance from the Japanese but, to their surprise, the landings were almost completely unopposed. Many felt that the Japanese had either abandoned the island, or that their force was so small as to prove not much of a threat. The Americans were wrong on both counts. After about 4 days of virtually no contact with the enemy, the Americans stumbled across one of the three highly-defended zones set up by the Japanese. For the next 2 1/2 months, the Americans and Japanese became engaged in an epic struggle that would cost the lives of thousands of men on both sides.

Sloan describes in vivid and horrifying detail how the battle unfolded. From the relentless banzai charges and artillery barrages to the dreaded kamikaze attacks on American ships, this book covers every aspect of the battle. Besides the thousands of Japanese and Americans who were killed in the fighting, Sloan also devotes a chapter to the plight of the Okinawan civilians. Over 100,000 civilians perished in the battle; some at the hands of the Japanese, some accidentally killed by the Americans, but most died at their own hand after believing the propaganda the Japanese told them about what the Americans would do to them.

I've read several books about the battle for Okinawa. but this book is by far the best I've read on the battle. It is loaded with action, and the personal narratives from the soldiers and marines who actually fought there adds a human element to the story.

I give this book my highest recommendation. Okinawa was the most costly battle of the war for both the Americans and Japanese, and Bill Sloan delivers a powerful and honest assessment of the battle. This book is a must for World War II history fans.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT READ. VERY INFORMATIVE, VERY READABLE., June 24, 2008

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945--The Last Epic Struggle of World War II (Hardcover)

A person sort of hates to compare authors and their works, but you almost have to with this one. Bill Sloan, as far as writing ability, compares rather favorably with Stephen Ambrose. As has been pointed out, Ambrose died before he delved into the war in the Pacific, but Sloan seems to have taken up the torch rather well. It should also be noted here, that no one book can cover a battle of this magnitude. There are bound to be some units, some aspect of the battle that was either short changed, or, regrettably, left out completely. A good point was made by another reviewer here in mentioning the 77th Infantry Division. To be quite frank, that Division alone probably rates at least three volumes of this size. But, as I said, no book can cover it all. This 402 page book does do a pretty good job of giving the overall feeling of the battle, who participated, who did what and when.

Okinawa was the last major battle in the Pacific during World War II. In it, at least 115,000 soldiers, airmen and sailors were killed. In addition and estimated 150,000 civilians were either killed or committed suicide, in one of the most tragic episodes of the war. We probably never will know the exact number of human beings who lost their lives during this struggle. This of course does not even count the thousands that were left homeless. It is quite difficult for us to understand the hardship and suffering the soldiers, sailors and airmen went through during this battle. It was fought under the most trying condition imaginable. The author has done as good a job as any in conveying these points.

Bill Sloan has written a very readable account of this final battle, using many sources and many personal stories/narratives from individuals who took part. He has drawn quite heavily from Eugene Sledge's wonderful work "With the Old Breed," a great book for those who are interested. What the men went through, both American and Japanese during this battle simply cannot be described using words. I have been fortunate in having the honor of talking to several individuals who survived not only this battle, but also Peleliu. These were (and are) all very old men when I knew them and they were and are still being haunted by their experiences, and will until the day they die. The author has done as well as anyone though in attempting to get the feeling across, difficult as that is.

This work does not only cover the ground campaign, but also the sea and air aspects of the battle. It also gives some insight to the Japanese point of view and their rationale of doing what they did and when. The author has also addressed the reasoning behind some of the tactics used by the American leaders during the battle, which is probably the weakest portion of his work, but then this book is really not about tactics, so there is not a great loss here. The ramifications of the outcome of this battle have been discussed, and indeed, the ramifications had the battle not been fought. Looking at it from a certain angle, it was probably one of the major factors in the decision to drop the atomic bomb rather than invade Japan proper. This of course can be argued long and hard, and probably will be for years to come. The only small complaint I have about the entire work is that it would have been greatly enhanced with more maps and more detailed maps. This was a minor problem though.

As with any historical work, a reader should not finish it, and only it, and feel they know everything there is to know about this particular event. There are many, many other works out there and many more will be written. These should be read for those who are interested. I do feel the reader will enjoy this work more, and learn more from it, if they read of some of the battles in the Pacific that led up to this particular one.

Overall, I do recommend The Ultimate Battle quite highly. You certainly cannot go wrong reading it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Telling of Epic Battle, November 7, 2007

By 

Mr. Truthteller (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945--The Last Epic Struggle of World War II (Hardcover)

This is an excellent telling of the Battle of Okinawa. From the buildup of forces for the invasion (code-named "Operation Iceberg"), to "Love Day" (when the Japanese Imperial Army purposely allowed the invading troops to land unmolested), to the savage, unremitting assaults on Sugar Loaf, to the bitter end (after over 12,000 American and 100,000 Japanese soldiers had died), it is all here.

Several notable books on this battle were published on or around its 50th anniversary (e.g., Col. Yahara's "The Battle for Okinawa") in 1995. This book, however, may end up being the best of the lot as it masterfully weaves together the stories of the "grunts" and others who witnessed first-hand the bloodletting and suicidal attacks that characterized this campaign with overall strategies of both sides.

Highly recommended and must reading for anyone interested in World War II, especially the war in the Pacific.