Stepping Stones to Nowhere: The Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and American Military Strategy, 1867-1945

by Galen Roger Perras

The barren and bleak Aleutian Islands were a mostly forgotten extension of the Northwest Territory until World War II. Purchased in 1867 through the efforts of Secretary of State William H. Seward, American ownership of Alaska and the Aleutian chain were perceived as a means to project American dominance in the Pacific. In 1942 the Japanese landed on Kiska and Attu islands in an unsuccessful attempt to draw the U.S. carrier fleet away from Midway Island. They continued their occupation until driven out in 1943 by some of the most bloody fighting of the war. In this major contribution to a little-studied field, author Galen Perras draws on material from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States to examine the military strategy and impact of flawed decision-making on the Aleutian conflict. This well-researched history is an impressive addition to the annals of the Pacific war. 14 photographs. Line drawings. 3 maps. Paperback. 6 x 9 inches.

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I have read much about the Aleutian campaign. I was familiar with the infighting and the rivalry between services. This book puts everything in perspective. It gives reasons behind the decisions that were made relative to staffing and support. It is the big picture of the campaign. There is very little about actual battles from a boots-on-the-ground perspective. There are other books that do this. This book also gives good explanation why a northern invasion of Japan through the Kurile Islands was not seriously considered at the highest levels.

If you want a good overview of campaign and how it emerged as it did, I have come across no better book than this.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty serious academe.