Joep123 | 17 May 2015 8:04 p.m. PST |
Hi everyone; Having just finished the novel "The Thin Red Line", I find myself looking for a book that covers the land campaign for Guadalcanal. Any recommendations? Thanks Joe |
randy51 | 17 May 2015 8:25 p.m. PST |
I found this site a few years ago when doing research on my Dad's experiences in the Americal Division: link |
genew49 | 17 May 2015 8:26 p.m. PST |
Guadalcanal Diary by Richard Tregaskis. Basis for the film. Be careful though, I read somewhere that there were abridged versions and young reader versions. I don't think that's the case with the 1945 copy for sale here but you may want to do more research before buying. link "A volunteer combat correspondent, Tregaskis braved much danger to bring the story of the fighting to American readers. But he was not one to celebrate his own exploits, and in the pages of his book, he centers on the brave young men from all over the United States who fought and died in appalling numbers. His attention to detail yields arresting descriptions of attacks and counterattacks, of moments of low morale and of exaltation, of moments of quiet behind the lines and of sheer terror at the very point of engagement." "Tregaskis left the island before the major battles on the Matanikau or the desperate fight for Henderson Field…" |
Teufelhunden | 17 May 2015 8:45 p.m. PST |
There is the Osprey Campaign series, Guadalcanal 1942 for the "Reader's Digest condensed version". "No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal" covers the land campaign through December. It is written by General Merrill Twining, USMC, who was the 1st Marine Division's Operations Officer. "The Island, A History of the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal" by Herbert Merillat covers the 1st Marine Division through December. Then there are the personal memoirs/biographies that cover parts of the fighting related to the authors experiences. "Helmet for My Pillow" by Robert Leckie "Guadalcanal Diary" by Richard Tregaskis "Marine, the Life of Chesty Puller" by Burke Davis "Guadalcanal Marine" by Kerry Lane "On the Canal, The Marines of L-3-5 on Guadalcanal, 1942" by Ore Marion I'm sure there are others. For a comprehensive book on the whole campaign, Land, Air, and Sea "Guadalcanal" by Richard Frank has my vote. |
Battle Phlox | 17 May 2015 8:57 p.m. PST |
"Hell's Island" by Stanley Coleman Jersey was a very good read. It also did a good job covering both the Japanese and Americans. |
Charlie 12 | 17 May 2015 8:58 p.m. PST |
A second vote for "Guadalcanal" by Richard Frank. Probably the best analysis to date. |
Bunkermeister | 17 May 2015 9:24 p.m. PST |
Guadalcanal Diary by Richard Tregaskis. Guadalcanal by Richard Frank. Two great choices. Mike Bunkermeister Creek Bunker Talk blog |
JasonAfrika | 17 May 2015 9:50 p.m. PST |
Guadalcanal by Richard Frank ties the naval, air, and land campaigns all in a nice, neat package…great military history |
Joes Shop | 18 May 2015 3:56 a.m. PST |
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cwbuff | 18 May 2015 8:12 a.m. PST |
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Los456 | 18 May 2015 12:26 p.m. PST |
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hindsTMP | 18 May 2015 5:39 p.m. PST |
There was another thread on this recently, wasn't there? In any case, you might consider "Victory Fever On Guadalcanal; Japan's First Land Defeat of WWII" by William Bartsch, published in 2014. It is a very low-level account, told from the perspective of both sides, covering up through the Battle of the Tenaru. MH |
Joep123 | 18 May 2015 7:02 p.m. PST |
Thanks everyone; great suggestions. I've read the bad reviews on the re-released Guadalcanal Diary, so I'll pick up an older copy. I'll also pick up some of the other suggestions as well. Joe |
roryg1957 | 19 May 2015 10:11 a.m. PST |
On Valor's Side by T. Grady Gallant. It's available on Amazon in Kindle too. |
coopman | 19 May 2015 5:27 p.m. PST |
Starvation Island is written by Eric Hammel. |