One Square Mile of Hell: The Battle for Tarawa
by John Wukovits
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The riveting true account of the Battle of Tarawa, an epic World War II clash in which the U.S. Marines fought the Japanese nearly to the last man.In November 1943, the men of the 2d Marine Division were instructed to clear out Japanese resistance on the Pacific island of Betio, a speck at the end of the Tarawa Atoll. When the Marines landed, the Japanese poured out of their underground bunkers—and launched one of the most brutal and bloody battles of World War II.
For three straight show more days, attackers and defenders fought over every square inch of sand in a battle with no defined frontlines, and where there was no possibility of retreat—because there was nowhere to retreat to. It was a struggle that would leave both sides stunned and exhausted, and prove both the fighting mettle of the Americans and the fanatical devotion of the Japanese.
Drawn from new sources, including participants’ letters and diaries and exclusive firsthand interviews with survivors, One Square Mile of Hell is the true story of a battle between two determined foes, neither of whom would ever look at the other in the same way again. show less
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Guadalcanal was the battle that stopped the advance of the Japanese in the Pacific but Tarawa was the battle that clearly demonstrated why the U.S would win. Early in the development of amphibious warfare, many and horrible mistakes were made which were paid for by the blood of marines. Mostly kids: with their rifles and their buddies, they got it done, John Wukovits by focusing on a few participants tells their story poignantly and well.
4343. One Square Mile of Hell The Battle for Tarawa, by John Wukovits (read 20 July 2007) There is no deathless prose in this account of the November 1943 battle for Tarawa, but the approach of the author turns out to be a good one. He concentrates on a few Marines and tells of what happened to them before and in the battle, as well as what happened at Tarawa overall. The account of the effect on those concerned after the battle is extremely poignant, and the book is an extremely worthwhile book to read. Leon Uris, whose Battle Cry, a novel based on facts, was at Tarawa. (I read Battle Cry on 23 Jan 2000, and appreciated greatly parts of the book.)
Most realistic war book ever.
Notes: Damaged Cover
Molto bello.
si preoccupa di descrivere anche ciò che succede "a chi resta a casa" ad aspettare ... di vedersi arrivare un terribile telegramma
si preoccupa di descrivere anche ciò che succede "a chi resta a casa" ad aspettare ... di vedersi arrivare un terribile telegramma
Nov 11, 2010Italian
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66 Works 1,215 Members
John Wukovits is a military expert specializing in the Pacific theater of World War II. He is the author of several books, including Eisenhower: A Biography; One Square Mile of Hell: The Battle for Tarawa; and American Commando: Evans Carlson, His WWII Marine Raiders and Americas. First Special Forces Mission. He has also written numerous articles show more for such publications as World War II History, Naval History, and World War II. show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2006
- Important places*
- Tarawa, Kiribati; Kiribati
- Important events
- World War II (1939 | 1945); World War II, Pacific Theater (1941-12-07 | 1945-09-02); Battle of Tarawa (1943-11-20 | 1943-11-23)
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- 189
- Popularity
- 172,607
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.50)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 2
