Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 (Vol. 1)  (Pacific War Trilogy) - Ian W. Toll

Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 (Vol. 1) (Pacific War Trilogy)

By Ian W. Toll

  • Release Date: 2011-11-14
  • Genre: Military History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 548 Ratings

Description

Winner of the Northern California Book Award for Nonfiction

"Both a serious work of history…and a marvelously readable dramatic narrative." —San Francisco Chronicle

On the first Sunday in December 1941, an armada of Japanese warplanes appeared suddenly over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Six months later, in a sea fight north of the tiny atoll of Midway, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sent into the abyss, a blow that destroyed the offensive power of their fleet. Pacific Crucible—through a dramatic narrative relying predominantly on primary sources and eyewitness accounts of heroism and sacrifice from both navies—tells the epic tale of these first searing months of the Pacific war, when the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history to seize the strategic initiative.

Reviews

  • Nautical

    5
    By Admiral Charles
    Outstanding. A fine read by a terrific historian. The entire trilogy is a treat.
  • Great Read

    5
    By BirdoWorky
    An absolute masterpiece for anyone wanting an in depth look into the early years of war in the Pacific. The detail is unparalleled, and it is a fascinating read from cover to cover.
  • Masterful

    5
    By MarkDMill
    I’ve never read a history book so compelling. It masterfully shared the details of individual battles, people, and experiences without losing sight of the bigger picture and the overarching story. It read almost like a novel, with enough detail to engage you on every page. Masterfully done.
  • Great book

    5
    By Jaxx112
    Great book, told almost like being there Having toured the Midway and bb north Calorina it is amazing what they accomplished
  • Understanding Japanese Attacking USA

    5
    By Lawyer141
    Great read on the events that led Japan to bomb Pearl Harbor and initial phase of war-until epic victory of US at battle of Midway. 6 months after Pearl Harbor - the ultimate outcome was never in doubt. Great insight into the Japanese thought process in attacking USA even though the Japanese high command had to know that the war would end badly for Japan
  • Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942

    5
    By PAul Bar
    I was doubtful about getting a book that rehashed the first 6 months in the Pacific war. But was I wrong! Excellently written and highlighting the personalities that impacted the war. A must read.
  • Pacific Crucible

    5
    By CWM386@gmIl,com
    I have read numerous accounts of WW2 in the Pacific and none provided the insights this one did! The section covering post-Pearl Harbor to the Battle of the Coral Sea had engagements that I had not read about previously. I literally could not put it down. A wonderful piece of writing. C W Minners
  • Can't put down read

    5
    By 7834N
    The author is a first rate story teller.
  • First rate

    4
    By sgulie
    A concise and clear description of the events, actions, and motivations on all sides, from Pearl Harbor to Midway. Easy to read, insightful and interesting. Well researched.
  • Turning Point

    5
    By crabtrem
    This is an excellent book. For me I get the impression that the author transports you to the emotions being felt surrounding the events he writes about first. So as you weave through the complex events he writes about, you also feel the emotions driven and felt during those times. This book started out a little slow, but once the emotions capture you, you're hooked. This book is a crucial addition shaping my understanding of WWII, and more specifically those crucial opening months of the war. A great read.