The year is 1943 and World War II in the Pacific rages on, with Americans engaged in desperate battles against a cunning enemy. Coast Guard Captain Josh Thurlow is on hand at the invasion of Tarawa, as the U.S. Navy begins the grand strategy of throwing her marines at island after bloody island across the Pacific. As blood colors the waters around Tarawa, Josh flounders ashore through a floating graveyard of dead men and joins the survivors, determined to somehow wrest victory from disaster. Critically wounded, Josh expects to die. Instead, Sister Mary Kathleen, a young Irish nun, nurses him back to health, and then shanghais Josh, sidekick Bosun Ready O’Neal, and three American marines to a group of beautiful tropical islands invaded by a brutal Japanese warlord. Josh and his little band must decide whether to help the Sister fight the battle she demands, return to Tarawa and the “real” war, or settle down in the romantic splendor of the South Seas. Hickam expertly weaves the adventures of these hot-blooded characters tighter and tighter until the Sister’s secrets and sins are finally revealed during a horrific battle in the lair of the warlord. With an incredible eye for historical detail and the talent of a master storyteller, Homer Hickam delivers another tour de force.
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"This book falls somewhere between "South Pacific" and "Winds of War." It treats its material gently and with some humor, given the horrific nature of war. And just when you've about decided it is purely light entertainment, it gets very tragic." — Harry (4 out of 5 stars)
"This book falls somewhere between "South Pacific" and "Winds of War." It treats its material gently and with some humor, given the horrific nature of war. And just when you've about decided it is purely light entertainment, it gets very tragic."
" I love all of Homer Hickams books, both the autobiogrphical and the fiction. This one is no exception. He tells a great story! "
" Although the battle scenes were difficult for me because they were so vivid, I could not put the book down. I look forward to reading other Hickam books. "
" cool and funny war book, a little sad at the end. "
" Adventurous, fun characters, villains, heroes, some romance. Historical fiction. Good writing. I'll definitely be reading more by Hickam. Since it's a war book there is some language- but it's fairly minimal for a war book. "
" The weakest of the series. I did not care for the book that much or the ending. It seems that the author feels the need for the main character to cheat on his girlfriend in every book in the series. "
Homer Hickam is the author of the New York Times bestseller Rocket Boys, which was made into the acclaimed movie October Sky. He has also authored the military history bestseller Torpedo Junction, along with several other popular historical and science fiction novels. A respected amateur historian, scuba expedition leader, and military veteran, he continues to write using his personal experience and history for creative material.
Mark Deakins is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and actor whose television appearances include Head Case, Star Trek: Voyager, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Intervention, Star Trek: Insurrection, and The Devil’s Advocate. He wrote, directed, and produced the short film The Smith Interviews.
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