John C. McManusBesprekingen

The last book of a trilogy. All three are exceptionally well written. The style is easy to read, well researched and makes excellent use of contemporary reports, personal letters and official material.

McManus gives a vivid account of the fighting but also provides descriptions of the logistics effort that only the American economy could sustain. His pen portraits of the main commanders and their various intra and inter-service machinations was something that is not usually covered.

These books provide an understanding of the US Army contribution in many unknown locations that hardly ever feature in the Pacific narrative.

The second book of a trilogy. All three are exceptionally well written. The style is easy to read, well researched and makes excellent use of contemporary reports, personal letters and official material.

McManus gives a vivid account of the fighting but also provides descriptions of the logistics effort that only the American economy could sustain. His pen portraits of the main commanders and their various intra and inter-service machinations was something that is not usually covered.

These books provide an understanding of the US Army contribution in many unknown locations that hardly ever feature in the Pacific narrative.

The first book of a trilogy. All three are exceptionally well written. The style is easy to read, well researched and makes excellent use of contemporary reports, personal letters and official material.

McManus gives a vivid account of the fighting but also provides descriptions of the logistics effort that only the American economy could sustain. His pen portraits of the main commanders and their various intra and inter-service machinations was something that is not usually covered.

These books provide an understanding of the US Army contribution in many unknown locations that hardly ever feature in the Pacific narrative.

I finished John McManus’ trilogy , To The End of the Earth: The U.S. Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945. A tremendously well researched book that strives and succeeds in giving both high level view with leaders of the significance of Admiral Chester Nimitz, General Douglas MacArthur, General Robert Eichelberg and General Walter Krueger, General Albert Wedemeyer, down to the individual experience of foot soldiers, a well ad U.S. POW’s. McManus also goes into great detail of Japanese leadership and the experience of the common soldier, Filipino’s, and other indigenous people.

The focus of of the trilogy and the book is the war of the U.as. Army in the Pacific largely but not completely under Douglas MacArthur in the SWPA.

The book starts with the invasion of Luzon in the Philippines and the hard fought battle for Manila, describing in great building to building and block to block urban warfare and the continuing battle of attrition to take and begin pacification of the Philippines.

McManus then continues with the ongoing war in the Chinese and Burmese theaters, the completion of the Ledo Road which allowed for land based supplying of China and the war between the Japanese, China Kai Shek and the Nationalist forces and the Chinese Communists under Mao Tse Tung and the U.S. General Albert Wedemeyer.

The final major offensive on the SWPA is the the taking of Okinawa and the surrounding land in preparation for what is projected to be the invasion of Japan under Operation Olympic and Coronet. A invasion largely begun under General Simon Bolivar Buckner until his death and replacement by General Joe Still recently the leader of the CBI Theater until replaced by General Albert Wedemeyer. The invasion of Okinawa was largely a defensive battle by the Japanese added by the coral geographic features added to by the digging of the Japanese to make this a slow slogging, costly, ridge to ridge and cave to cave fight by infantrymen, tanks, flamethrowers and explosives. This cost.y battle added to the psychology which made the dropping of the atomic bomb all but guaranteed.

The book concludes with the signing of the instruments of peace on the Battleship Missouri followed by an epilogue dealing with the postwar for the common soldiers and the leading generals of the Pacific.

McManus continues the trend of presenting both big picture and small unit histories which are incredibly detailed and readable. A 5 star history of the army in the South West Pacific Area Theatre.

The second volume in a trilogy, "Island Infernos" continues the authors coverage of WW I in the Pacific, focusing on

Finished John McManus ' Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War 1944.

A thorough review and evaluation of the role of the US Army in the Pacific. When we think of the Army in World War II we generally have imagery of the ETO, just as the imagery of the Navy is in the Pacific Theater.

When the Army is thought of in the Pacific we often think of General Douglas MacArthur and the SWPA but McManus goes far beyond.

He does spend considerable time on MacArthur DVD his primary subordinates. Willoughby his Chief of Intelligence, General Sutherland his Chief of Staff, Kenney on charge of MacArthur's Air Force, General Robert Eichelberger and General Walter Krueger. The book also goes into great detail of the Naval Forces that were under our cooperated with MacArthur notably William Halsey.

McManus also spends significant time on the CBI Theater, Joseph Stillwell and units under his command such as Merrill's Marauders and the delicate relationship between the Allies and China under Chiang Kai Shek and between Stillwell and Chiang

McManus also goes into great detail on the Army units under Admiral Chester Nimitz in the POA and the working relationship between Marine and Army units at both the operational level and the combative relationship that sometimes existed at higher levels between Marine Lieutenant General Holland Smith and subordinate Army Commanders such as Major General Ralph Smith. Holland Smith's tendency to disparage and understate the effectiveness of Army Units often giving the Marines lions have of the credit for success and the Army units the greatest amount of blame for failures often charactizing them as poorly led and lacking aggressiveness.

Actions in Saipan,Tinian, the Philippines, Hollandia and Palau and the Battle of the Philippines Sea the are among the many actions and campaigns covered.

A solid 4 to 4.5 on the complicated nature of the Army's under documented role in the Pacific Theater.½

You may think you know the story of D-Day-myself I have read countless books on the subject. This one is different. This one is personal.

John C. McManus has taken this story to a new level. He re-counts the invasion through the eyes of The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, known as The Big Red One. The men in this division were known as "The Best of The Best"-They had been in North Africa, Italy, Sicily. They were suppose to be going home. Instead they were shipped to England and became the core of the D-Day Invasion in Omaha Beach. It amazes me that this piece of history has been ignored. After reading this book I can say with certainty, these are the men that opened the door to freeing Europe.

This was not an easy read. McManus is free with the detail of the carnage and death on that beach. He also does not hold back on the fact that the landing on that beach was a disastrously mishandled situation-nothing went on schedule, nothing planned came to fruition. The beachhead was taken, not by the out of touch planners, but by the regular soldier and the men that lead them. As the beach became over crowded and men began to black out in fear-One man,Col. George Taylor, lead assault regiment commander- was walking with an injured leg and using a cane. He began swatting the fearful soldiers with that cane and shouted “Only two kinds of people are going to be on this beach, the dead and those who are going to die. Now get moving!” Uncountable lives were saved as the soldiers shook off the fear and began heading off the beach into the unknown.

McManus accessed a lot of new and recently found sources, including interview with veterans and their families.

From the back cover : "This is gripping history-beautifully and masterfully told by one of America's premier historians"

This book is not for for everyone-but if you are like me and want the pure facts of history, it is a stellar read.

This is a fine book about a subject we don't hear much about, namely, the role of the US Army in the Pacific Theater in WWII. McManus really digs deep into the actions, the characters, and the reasons why America and the Army was even involved in the Pacific. I found the introduction to be especially compelling reading, with just the sort of analysis I want my WWII books to have. I would have liked more maps, especially maps that showed a larger area...where Hawaii was in relation to the Gilbert and Marshall Island groups, for instance. But I'm waiting eagerly for the next volume!

Lots of interesting vignettes about individual soldiers and incidents that get tedious at times. As usual with WW2 history books; the maps could be better. Generally, too detailed to read. There are better books about these times but then again there are also those that are not as good.½

Thoroughly researched and well written, McManus does an excellent job of portraying the arduous and difficult tasks the US Army encountered in the Pacific. They faced many serious foes: the terrain, the climate, the insects and diseases as well as fanatic Japanese soldiers emotionally committed to dying for their emperor. And, they did it all while carrying the oppressive weight of Macarthur, his ego, and his ambitions on their backs. The general maintained his status by living in a hotel, in Brisbane with his wife and son; showing up periodically for a photo op and to declare victory. None of these onerous tasks prevented him from surreptitiously managing and planning his campaign to run against President Roosevelt in 1944. Among his many egregious acts as a commanding general were his denial of Eichelberger's Medal of Honor application and his vicious campaign against a possible one for Wainwright. This bout of pettiness likely was to preserve his own stature as a Medal of Honor recipient although his own was based upon a politically expedient nomination by President Roosevelt. Smith versus Smith conflict starts on Makin.

Thoroughly researched and noted; this book serves well in providing a valid and quite readable about D Day, preparation, execution and its aftermath.½

Fire and Fortitude: The US Army in the Pacific War, 1941 - 1943 by John C. McManus ( Dutton Caliber/Penguin Group; 2019) tells the often-forgotten history of the role of the Army in the Pacific Theater of World War II, because so much has been written (and filmed) about the exploits of the Marines in this part of the war. Noted historian and author John C. McManus, author of other best-sellers such as Deadly Sky and The Dead and Those About to Die, now turns his sights toward the under-reported exploits and contributions of the Army throughout the Pacific. In what McManus hopes to eventually be a two-volume work, this first installment covers the years 1941 through to the invasion of the atoll of Makin toward the end of 1943.
This volume leaves virtually no stone unturned in describing the history of Japan and the USA in their relationships with each other and with the nations in China, Southeast Asia and the thousands of Pacific island states/nations, as well as mini-biographies of the leading characters such as Douglas MacArthur, "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell, and Arthur Krueger.
McManus takes readers chronologically through the events such as the fight over the Philippines eventually taken by the Japanese, along with strategic engagements in Palau and Guadalcanal. McManus even describes the situation in Australia, as both the Australian citizenship and American soldiers learned to grow and appreciate each other --- even as they were working under difficult conditions to make this large continent defensible from the Japanese. A chapter is even given to the unsuccessful efforts of the Japanese to invade the Aleutian Islands.
The author has done a huge amount of research into all aspects of the combatants and the logistical and tactical aspects of the various campaigns in the Pacific, told from both the viewpoints of the Allies and the Japanese --- and in the words of full generals and admirals, all the way down to the lowliest privates. For the casual historian like myself, the book was quite an education, although the huge amount of details made it a little difficult to keep straight exactly where one was in the telling of the various battles and defensive maneuvers. I reviewed an ebook edition, so I hope the printed book will contain maps to give more context. Nevertheless, the frank and honest descriptions of the brutality and ungodly deadly conditions that both sides had to contend with in the Pacific were simply riveting. And for true history buffs, this book should satisfy anyone's desire for lots of behind-the-scenes expositions of what noncombatants, combatants and their officers all had to endure in a war like no other ever fought in all of world history. Highly recommended!

One of the best histories of Operation Market Garden I have read. It has several impressive attributes. It focuses only on the American involvement in this in-conceived and failed campaign, mentioning just in passing the British 1st Airbourne Division's debacle at Arnhem. The narrative utilizes the actions of individuals and small units in compelling and vivid detail to tell the story of the operation's objectives. One is not lost in the esoteric tactical movements of units that can be confusing if you are not familiar with the region's topography. It is also quite well-written; the author's skillful prose makes the history come alive.

The bravery and aggressiveness of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions is recounted here. These elite soldiers fully deserve the hallowed reputation they have garnered. In contrast to the modern day ethos of (for public sensibility at least) tolerating a war with low casualty rates the willingness of American forces to sacrifice their lives to prevail is quite amazing.

My interest is stimulated by the 75th anniversary of the operations. I will be traveling to Nijmegen with family members to witness the commemorative ceremonies and events. My father was a member of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd and participated in the action, including the famous amphibious crossing of the Waal River to take the bridge from the north side. He never spoke much about it (he's now deceased) so the magnitude of the danger and the heroism of the paratroopers was never heard from him. The book portrays sharply the ferocity of the action and the courage of the troopers. A British general observing the crossing said it was the most gallant action he had ever seen.

Our family is of Dutch heritage. Dad was born in Holland but emigrated to the US when just a small boy. His first occasion to return to his native country came when jumping from an airplane to assist in the liberation of the country. There is a great snapshot of Dad and another trooper sitting on a jeep in a city street with a dozen or more smiling Dutch children climbed on board. Perhaps some of these are still alive and we will bump into them in September.

This history is essential for anyone needing to research the lives of WWII-era American soldiers and the conditions they faced both in Europe and in the Pacific. I've used it both in my writing and in the classroom. Photographs and quotes from the soldiers themselves and wartime correspondents (from letters and diaries) help round out the usefulness of this book. You will definitely feel the humanity of these men and the grim situation they faced.

For those interested in a detailed presentation and critical assessment of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions' involvement in and contribution to the autumn 1944 engagement, Operation Market Garden, I highly recommend this book. Most accounts focus on the British 1st Airborne Division's daring assault and subsequent trials 60 miles behind enemy lines in the Dutch city of Arnhem (most notably, Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far"). However, the American's task of capturing and holding the bridges along what became known as "Hell's Highway", was integral to the plan of smashing through into Germany's industrial Ruhr valley. The author accurately depicts the heroism of the American Rangers in their desperate battles to hold the road open in the face of unexpected and numerous German SS forces fighting vigorously to defend their homeland from invasion.

The narrative makes clear, and it is no surprise, that the operation was doomed from the start. From the overly optimistic timeline to the tactical challenges presented by the distance, road and terrain to the unanticipated appearance of the II SS Panzer Corps, the 82nd and 101st troopers met and dealt with increasingly frustrating challenges; not least of which was the huge misunderstanding of the British column's halt for tea after the 82nd's bloody taking Nijmegen.

This book is a notable addition to the history of Operation Market Garden. (less)

This is a gritty account of the battles fought in December 1944 before Bastogne was surrounded. The book is thoroughly researched; the story is skillfully told; the perspective is that of the enlisted soldier. One of the best combat books I have ever read. The author puts the reader in the action. As I read this book on a subject that I know well, I found myself tensely worried about who would win.

Gives a clear understanding to a little-known group of soldiers and how their efforts and suffering helped delay Germany's surge during the Battle of the Bulge and give the Allies valuable time to move troops in

Everything you want to know about the First Division and its role in the D-Day invasion. Blow-by-blow account of many individuals and how they navigated the beach while exposed to withering fire while hampered by the excessive weight of their equipment. Also excellent analysis of how the naval bombardment was utterly useless in dislodging the German defenders, thus leaving the landing troops in constant peril.

This is a great overview of the lead up and the D-Day invasion. McManus did a wonderful job weaving together the eyewitness accounts from the highest ranking General's including Eisenhower on down to the Privets that stormed the beaches of Normandy France. The imagery gives great insight into the soldiers who overcame seasickness, terror and human error to turn the war around for the allies. It also brings to light the large number of casualties that gave their lives for the cause. May we never forget their sacrifice.

This is a seriously interesting work that surveys the American experience in WW II. It does not glorify the participants but allows them to speak for themselves in an unvarnished manner. McManus reveals that most often the combat soldier did not fight for lofty ideas or ideals but more directly for their own and their fellow combatants benefit. The enemy was viewed as the enemy and with little sympathy or understanding. The average troop despised the Japanese more than the Germans though as combatants they did not underestimate either enemy. It is based on memoirs, diaries, and letters and allows the reader to view the human side of American combat troops. The citizen soldiers reflect the strength of America when the average person was expected to pick up a gun and fight the enemy. It sounds simple; it sounds extraordinary.