Patrick O’Donnell has made a career of uncovering the hidden history of World War II by tracking down and interviewing its most elite troops: the Rangers, Airborne, Marines, and First Special Service Force, forerunners to America’s Special Forces. These veterans were often the first in and the last out of every conflict, from Guadalcanal and Burma to the Philippines and the black sands of Iwo Jima. They faced a cruel enemy willing to try anything, including kamikaze flights and human-guided torpedoes. Over the course of the war, they had spearheaded D-day-sized beach assaults, encountered cannibalism, suffered friendly-fire incidents, and endured torture as prisoners of war. By at last telling their stories, these men present an unvarnished look at the war on the ground, a final gift from aging warriors who have already given so much.
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"An amazing account of the personal experiences of WWII vets in the Pacific Theater. If you like books about WWII, or personal accounts of combat related experiences, this book is for you. " — Nick (5 out of 5 stars)
"An amazing account of the personal experiences of WWII vets in the Pacific Theater. If you like books about WWII, or personal accounts of combat related experiences, this book is for you. "
“Patrick O’Donnell may be the next Studs Terkel. Spending untold hours with proud and often laconic veterns, coaxing their stories with meticulous care, he has shown us the wet, dark, jungled truth of the Pacific War.”
“Succinct historical narratives help set the stage for these eyewitness accounts, which often involve horrific tales of best friends killed, whole units decimated, and the madness of wartime atrocities. This important work preserves these veterans’ shocking and moving stories for generations to come. Highly recommended.”
“An abundant, interesting, and accurate chronicle of the war…Those seeking the uncensored truth and a dose of military history will not be disappointed.”
“A superior addition to World War II oral archives.”
" Excellent book on accounts told by veterans who fought in the Pacific during WWII. They described the reality and horrors of the battles they fought. "
" Hard read when you have a loved one who experienced the Pacific Theater. Great book. "
" An amazing account of the personal experiences of WWII vets in the Pacific Theater. If you like books about WWII, or personal accounts of combat related experiences, this book is for you. "
" Amazing view of WWII from the boots on the ground. "
" [Audio] Unbelievable stories of the soldiers who began the attack in the Pacific. Incredibly humbling insight into what these men faced. "
Patrick K. O’Donnell is a bestselling military historian and the critically acclaimed author of numerous books, including Beyond Valor, Dog Company, and First SEALs. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks’ award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers and for documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel, and Fox News. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.
Jeff Riggenbach (1947-2021) narrated numerous titles for Blackstone Audio and won an AudioFile Earphones Award. An author, contributing editor, and producer, he worked in radio in San Francisco for more than thirty years, earning a Golden Mike Award for journalistic excellence.
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