Synopses & Reviews
Historian Harry Gailey offers a fresh one-volume treatment of the vast Pacific theater in World War II, examining in detail the performance of Japanese and Allied naval, air, and land forces in every major military operation. The War in the Pacific begins with an examination of events leading up to World War II and compares the Japanese and American economies and societies, as well as the chief combatants' military doctrine, training, war plans, and equipment. The book then chronicles all significant actions - from the early Allied defeats in the Philippines, the East Indies, and New Guinea; through the gradual improvement of the Allied position in the Central and Southwest Pacific regions; to the final agonies of the Japanese people, whose leaders refused to admit defeat until the very end. Gailey gives detailed treatment to much that has been neglected or given only cursory mention in previous surveys. The reader thus gains an unparalleled overview of operations, as well as many fresh insights into the behind-the-scenes bickering between the Allies and the interservice squabbles that dogged MacArthur and Nimitz throughout the war.
Review
"Covers all significant actions, from the early allied defeats to the last Japanese death throes. Numerous multi-volume works exist on this subject, but as a single-volume work this ranks with John Costello's The Pacific War." Library Journal
Review
"Early in this impressive history of the Pacific theater, Gailey thoroughly examines the roots of the conflict, the buildup of the U.S. armory during a period of isolationism and complacency and the more methodical Japanese military preparations." Publishers Weekly
Review
"An informative historian of the whole war, Gailey positions his work to redress campaigns he believes the field overlooks." Booklist
Review
"A well-balanced view of the entire Pacific war with good introductory material on the social, economic and military differences between the two antagonists." The Washington Times
Synopsis
The American commanders conducting the war against Japan in World War II faced unique challenges. In spite of being ordered to fight a limited war until Germany could be defeated, U.S. naval and ground forces used their limited resources to launch an aggressive campaign to win back the Pacific islands occupied by the Japanese. Inter-service rivalry, the vast distances to be covered and a difficult climate continually hampered operations against an overextended but dedicated enemy.
Military professionals examine in chapter-by-chapter fashion the evolution of the Pacific campaign, backed up by hard data and keen insights, revealing aspects of the war that will surprise many readers.
Synopsis
Covers all significant actions, from the early allied defeats to the last Japanese death throes. --Library Journal