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Lonely Vigil: Coastwatchers of the Solomons (Bluejacket Books) Paperback – May 6, 2017

by Walter Lord (Author)

259 customer reviews

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Called a stirring tale of forgotten heroes splendidly told by a master narrator, this saga of the valiant coastwatchers of the Pacific War exemplifies that rare combination of careful research and exciting narrative style that became a hallmark of Walter Lord's best-selling books. Though their importance has long been acknowledged, the coastwatchers had received relatively little attention until the publication of this book in 1977. The remarkable band of individualists, operating deep behind Japanese lines in the dark days of 1942-43, lived by their wits alone yet gave the Allies their best intelligence and rescued many a man from downed planes and sinking ships―including John F. Kennedy and his PT-109 crew.

To piece their story together, Lord traveled 40,000 miles to interview participants, check archives, and examine private letters and diaries. He even made a three-day hike through the Guadalcanal jungle to inspect the coastwatcher hideout on Gold Ridge so he could successfully put readers in their shoes. The book's varied cast of intriguing characters has attracted readers ever since.

Lonely Vigil: Coastwatchers of the Solomons (Bluejacket Books)

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About the Author

Walter Lord, an OSS officer in World War II and native of Baltimore, is the author of such best sellers as A Night to Remember, Day of Infamy, and Incredible Victory.

Series: Bluejacket Books
Paperback: 322 pages
Publisher: Naval Institute Press (May 6, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591144663
ISBN-13: 978-1591144663
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 259 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2178 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Biographical
- #2854 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Military
- #6758 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > War

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IMO a very good book. Why

ByRoland Johanssonon May 27, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

IMO a very good book. Why? Because it shows the importance of the Coastwatchers of the Solomons Islands.First I thought they were a bunch of guys running around those lsands and just caring for themselves and maybe of some of their Solomon inhabitants. Boy (excuse my french), was I wrong. These men was exrta ordinarie persons in the fighting of the nips, (Nips=Japs) was at that time a word for the disguisting japanese force on those Islands, Namely: Gudalcanal, Bougainville, New Georgia & Vella Lavella et al.

Walter Lord is the author and he capture this band of that remarkarble band of individuals, who operated deep behind Japanese lines in the dark years of 1942-43. Living by their wits, (and I am especially thinking of G.C. Kenney, southern pt. of New Georgia, who, admist the war lived a lavish life with a great home with all luxury and hold the hand of his scouts and they killed a lots of jap's on their own. Wish I could meet him!)

Anyway, living by their wits - with the the helps from friendly natives - they passed along critical intelligence, rescued downed flyers, and saved men from their sinking ships. Included JF Kennedy's PT 109.

But it's more, about the nativs who helped them, the missionaries (some were dare devils) who helped them - catsaways rescued, the Marine patrols they guided, the pilots & submarines who served them. and....even the Japanese who chased them.

It is truly a great read...and Hop! An easy and enaging read. My7 verdict: A very ghood book. Now I gotta read Clement's bio of Guadacanal. BUT first "MacArthur at War" (as most as I loathe hime). BUT get this book. You won't get around this kind of book at your block. Thanks/Roland (If I misspelled some words it's because I am from Sweden)

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Lost in the South Pacific

ByFroggythegremlinon June 10, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I found the story fascinating. What those few did to help the war effort is only equaled by the RAF during the Blitz. I don't know if I could have survived in their shoes. The exploits of the coastwatchers were well documented in this book and you felt you were there. The only real problem I had with this book was trying to visualize exactly where I was. I kept getting confused which island I was on or where on the island I was. A map of each island discussed as it was discussed would have been very helpful. Still a good book and an interesting read for any WWII buff.

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These coast watchers often operated using only their own resources and at great personal risk

BySparkon December 20, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a fascinating account of the dark, early days of World War II in the Pacific. We were fighting the war on a shoestring, and the one thing that gave us a fighting chance were the coast watchers who sent radio warnings of Japanese attacks and assisted in rescuing American navy and airmen.
These coast watchers often operated using only their own resources and at great personal risk. Also, because of their personal relationship with the native people of the islands, they were able to take advantage of the help of the islanders in assisting in aiding downed airmen and navy personnel whose ships were sunk, including John F. Kennedy.
The one difficulty in reading this book was that there were so many names mentioned among the coast watchers that it made it difficult to follow the over all picture.

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Needed Kindle legible maps

ByPJon August 11, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The book read well but lacked enough KIndle legible map clarity which Google and National Geographic made up for. This is a generic weakness of Kindle. I'd certainly recommend it for those interested in one of the more obscure but significant contributions to the Solomons campaign and, for that matter, the Pacific campaign. The Coastwatchers were in a large element of the margin of victory. Failure of the Solomons campaign would have significantly changed the balance and would have at least lengthened the Pacific war.

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Not to be missed

ByErl Gould Purnellon January 9, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Walter Lord's book "Lonely Vigil" is not to be missed if interested in World War II and the Solomon Islands campaign. The coastwatchers are unsung heroes of the American, NZ and Australia effort to oust the Japanese from the Solomon Islands starting at Guadalcanal. The fight on water, in the air and on the islands moving west could not have succeeded without the clandestine efforts of the coastwatchers. Their bravery behind the lines was exceptional. They are enlisted local natives to help and those people were extraordinary in their service as well. Leadership, however, came from the coastwatchers and they made all the difference. This is a terrific read.

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Most recent customer reviews

A fascinating read

If you are ever alone on a jungle island with just one book, make this the book. It is a page turner

Published 9 days ago by Ian Baines

Add this book to your collection!

Walter Lord was an exceptional writer and LONELY VIGIL is a sterling example of his ability to research an obscure subject and bring it to life.Read more

Published 10 days ago by Curtis Grant Parker

For history enthusiasts only.

Interesting but tedious. You have to really, really enjoy historical literature in order to appreciate this book. Also repetitive in places.

Published 16 days ago by Big Al

Great summer reading

Another great story as only Walter Lord can tell it. Not tales of the South Pacific , this work tells the story of a few souls who won the battle of the Solomons and turned back...Read more

Published 1 month ago by maclaugh

Four Stars

Very interesting

Published 1 month ago by José Maria Matias

Fascinating

Fascinating story of incredibly brave, loyal, resourceful men and women and how their efforts helped turn the war. Sad that they did not receive the acclaim that they deserved.

Published 2 months ago by Ken A

Funny to read how they avoided the Japanese

Very suspenseful with how the various Coastwater did some daring things. Funny to read how they avoided the Japanese

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer

The almost unknown, who warred against the Japanese, in the South Pacific circa WWII

In my own researching of obscure events that remain mostly untold about 'pockets of resistance' during America's many wars, the topic of local partisans who aided our attempts to...Read more

Published 4 months ago by John Dunlap

Excellent Short History of South Pacific Coastwatchers

The Solomons Campaign was a major turning point during World War 2 against the Japanese. After Midway Japan lost its strategic carrier advantage.Read more

Published 4 months ago by Avery Abernethy

I couldn't love this book more

I couldn't love this book more. I only wish it was longer. Just love the stories. The Bravery and endurance of the men in these pages should never be forgotten.

Published 4 months ago by Brian Holt

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