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War In The Pacific: Pearl Harbor To Tokyo Bay
War in the From Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay by John Winton. Mayflower Books, New York, 1978. Brown cloth binding, no dust jacket. Shelf wear, water stain first couple pages
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
193 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1978
291 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
John Winton
57 books12 followersA former officer in the Royal Navy, John Pratt was the author of a variety of fiction and non-fiction works published under the pen name John Winton. Pratt also served for 14 years as an obituarist for The Daily Telegraph.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 19, 2022
War in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay, the first book of the series World War Two at Sea by Sapere Books, provides a thorough overview of one of the crucial war theatres.
With an emphasis on Navy operations, John Winton explores the main battles of the Pacific - and their lessons learned the hard way - that led to the victory of the Allied forces. The author weaves into the story conflicts between the U.S. Navy and U. S. Army as well as outlines the peculiar tug-of-war (pun intended) between the Allies.
The details include the exact number of ships, tonnage, and aircrews in each and every battle of the war in the Pacific. The precision in the description of every maneuver, accompanied by names of regiments, be it Allied or Japanese forces, is simultaneously an upside and downside of the book. For beginners ( because for academic research the book's topic seems too broad), the details complicate the comprehension of the general picture. For scholars who want to strengthen their knowledge of the Navy's operations, the well-structured book, after the first going-through, may serve as an excellent reference guide.
I crave to see maps in books such as this to imagine the battleships' movements.
War in the Pacific sketches a solid framework for further research on the topic. The book will be a relatively light introduction if you have no will to dive into the 200+ pages of academic studies. John Winton's effortless writing style compels me to read the other two books of the series, upcoming this year, 'The Forgotten Fleet: The Story of the British Pacific Fleet, 1944-1945' and 'Find, Fix and Strike!: The Fleet Air Arm at War, 1939-1945.'
I received an advance review copy through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
With an emphasis on Navy operations, John Winton explores the main battles of the Pacific - and their lessons learned the hard way - that led to the victory of the Allied forces. The author weaves into the story conflicts between the U.S. Navy and U. S. Army as well as outlines the peculiar tug-of-war (pun intended) between the Allies.
The details include the exact number of ships, tonnage, and aircrews in each and every battle of the war in the Pacific. The precision in the description of every maneuver, accompanied by names of regiments, be it Allied or Japanese forces, is simultaneously an upside and downside of the book. For beginners ( because for academic research the book's topic seems too broad), the details complicate the comprehension of the general picture. For scholars who want to strengthen their knowledge of the Navy's operations, the well-structured book, after the first going-through, may serve as an excellent reference guide.
I crave to see maps in books such as this to imagine the battleships' movements.
War in the Pacific sketches a solid framework for further research on the topic. The book will be a relatively light introduction if you have no will to dive into the 200+ pages of academic studies. John Winton's effortless writing style compels me to read the other two books of the series, upcoming this year, 'The Forgotten Fleet: The Story of the British Pacific Fleet, 1944-1945' and 'Find, Fix and Strike!: The Fleet Air Arm at War, 1939-1945.'
I received an advance review copy through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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December 17, 2024While the book was interesting it was filled with Naval battles in the South Pacific that were difficult to follow. Trying to keep track of each US Task Force and Japanese group was difficult as was keeping track of who was in charge when. It requires a pretty solid knowledge of the South Pacific and I found myself going back and looking up the various areas of engagement (Leyte Gulf, Coral Sea, etc). It was interesting in that it didn't sugar coat how the Allies got lucky several times early on due to the Japanese devising plans so complicated that the require a certain amount of cooperation by the US Naval fleets to be successful (which of course, they didn't get). Enjoyed the book from that perspective since so many other books portray the US as invinceable in most cases when I was mainly sometimes just a matter of luck.
May 19, 2022
The Setting of the Sun
War in the Pacific is well written complete with suspense and anecdotes both serious and comic. Winton manages to capture the struggle and glory of War in the Pacific although in his short volume he really only has the time to cover the high lights. Even so he touches each person with a humanity that the reader will find refreshing perhaps new. Winton manages to capture the difficulties for the manpower necessary to stop the Imperial war machine. I believe the reader will very much enjoy the perspectives Winton offers.
War in the Pacific is well written complete with suspense and anecdotes both serious and comic. Winton manages to capture the struggle and glory of War in the Pacific although in his short volume he really only has the time to cover the high lights. Even so he touches each person with a humanity that the reader will find refreshing perhaps new. Winton manages to capture the difficulties for the manpower necessary to stop the Imperial war machine. I believe the reader will very much enjoy the perspectives Winton offers.
January 9, 2024
War in the Pacific is a description of World War Two from Pearl Harbor to the signing of the treaty. The author takes you through the different battles mainly from the Navy’s point of view, with the ships, tonnage, oil or fuel, food, and other supplies that were used during each battle. Also ammo and the different types of shells and ships, subs, and then how during the war the ships change from guns to armor plating. A different look at the war but yet a good book nonetheless. I received this book from Netgalley.com
July 22, 2022
I was hovering between three and four stars for this book but what tipped it for me was the rushed ending and the author's writing style. Perhaps that's unfair, I read the Kindle version of this book and they can differ from the print versions sometimes. Too many specific words repeated in quick succession (eg 'sunk') make for a jarring read. On the plus side, this is a good introduction to the subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2023
How not to write history
I found this book very difficult, it was endless lists of ships being sunk. The people involved were just nicknames , with little character as such. There was a narrative of sorts as the way sailed across the pacific but very little context. I gave two stars for the documentation and the cumulative impact but the story just didn’t come alive. I won’t be reading this author again.
I found this book very difficult, it was endless lists of ships being sunk. The people involved were just nicknames , with little character as such. There was a narrative of sorts as the way sailed across the pacific but very little context. I gave two stars for the documentation and the cumulative impact but the story just didn’t come alive. I won’t be reading this author again.
October 27, 2022
Great overview of the war with Japan
This book was a great description of events that occurred during the war in the pacific. All accounts were very accurate. Other publication go into more detail regarding specific events but this book is a great condensed account of much of the action!
This book was a great description of events that occurred during the war in the pacific. All accounts were very accurate. Other publication go into more detail regarding specific events but this book is a great condensed account of much of the action!
September 26, 2023
War in the Pacific
American history is always interesting and exciting. The effort to defeat the Japanese during the Second World War showed the with the right leadership the United States had taken the place of Great Britain. The allied effort to defeat the Japanese in the South Pacific was often a combined effort by freedom, loving people, from all over the world.
American history is always interesting and exciting. The effort to defeat the Japanese during the Second World War showed the with the right leadership the United States had taken the place of Great Britain. The allied effort to defeat the Japanese in the South Pacific was often a combined effort by freedom, loving people, from all over the world.
June 7, 2022
Very good book about WWII naval operations
The book was very thorough on explaining naval operations in the Pacific during the war. There were several events I hadn't heard about before .
The book was very thorough on explaining naval operations in the Pacific during the war. There were several events I hadn't heard about before .
September 30, 2022
Victory at Sea in the Pacific
Some typographical boo boo's, but otherwise a good read with more depth and insight than normal. Not sure why certain so called international powers' always want a bigger piece of the pie, but it seems like a huge waste of resources? Well done!
Some typographical boo boo's, but otherwise a good read with more depth and insight than normal. Not sure why certain so called international powers' always want a bigger piece of the pie, but it seems like a huge waste of resources? Well done!
October 1, 2022
Need maps
A good chronological read of the American action in the Pacific during WWII. It suffers from a lack of maps or photographs to make the chronology truly useful to the more serious reader
A good chronological read of the American action in the Pacific during WWII. It suffers from a lack of maps or photographs to make the chronology truly useful to the more serious reader
October 2, 2022
informative
War in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay was very informative. However, it seemed to me that the author skimped over events at Pearl Harbor and Midway. He spent more time on other subjects and left the other two in the dust.
War in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay was very informative. However, it seemed to me that the author skimped over events at Pearl Harbor and Midway. He spent more time on other subjects and left the other two in the dust.
December 9, 2022
Nice quick read for beginning WW2 in Pacific readers like me
Brevity covering a vast campaign. Focus is on mil naval maneuvers, not personalities or politics. Well worth the dirt cheap Kindle price.
Brevity covering a vast campaign. Focus is on mil naval maneuvers, not personalities or politics. Well worth the dirt cheap Kindle price.
January 8, 2023
A Great Popular History of WWII in the pacific.
A relatively short book covering the key points and dates of the Pacific theater of The Second World War.
I recommend the book for someone looking for a concise overview of this aspect of the war.
It was an enjoyable read.
A relatively short book covering the key points and dates of the Pacific theater of The Second World War.
I recommend the book for someone looking for a concise overview of this aspect of the war.
It was an enjoyable read.
June 25, 2024
Great book! Well written and well researched!
Wonderful record of the War in the Pacific. My only criticism is the lack of maps. There is not even one map in this book. Addition of battle maps would make it much easier for the reader to follow the battle.
Wonderful record of the War in the Pacific. My only criticism is the lack of maps. There is not even one map in this book. Addition of battle maps would make it much easier for the reader to follow the battle.
June 17, 2022
Easy and fun to read
Easy to start and stop, glad I got it. Found few errors and did not jump around. If you like WWII in the Pacific read this book
Easy to start and stop, glad I got it. Found few errors and did not jump around. If you like WWII in the Pacific read this book
September 4, 2022
A good history of World War Two at sea in the Pacific.
September 28, 2022
Great overview
This was a great overview of the Pacific Navy in WW2. This did not give too much detail on any one event but framed the overall action.
This was a great overview of the Pacific Navy in WW2. This did not give too much detail on any one event but framed the overall action.
October 13, 2022
Good summary
War in the Pacific is a good summary of the Pacific Theater battles, leaders and challenges of the US & Allies and Japan.
War in the Pacific is a good summary of the Pacific Theater battles, leaders and challenges of the US & Allies and Japan.
December 11, 2022
A well told tale.
This book has a great flow to it. Everything has been said before, but it's retold superbly. Quite enjoyable and entertaining.
This book has a great flow to it. Everything has been said before, but it's retold superbly. Quite enjoyable and entertaining.
March 6, 2023
WW2
Outstanding book. Easy to read. Super detail.
I may read again in the future. I will be looking for more booms from Mr Winton.
Outstanding book. Easy to read. Super detail.
I may read again in the future. I will be looking for more booms from Mr Winton.
November 1, 2022
War in the Pacific: Pear Harbor to Tokyo Bay (World War Two at Sea)
Masterful book by John Winton. Accurate, gripping account of all major actions at sea during World War Two in the Pacific. His insights are impeccable.
Masterful book by John Winton. Accurate, gripping account of all major actions at sea during World War Two in the Pacific. His insights are impeccable.
June 19, 2018
The book is very pedestrian. It's also full of several spelling and factual errors. They are all relatively minor but they are so numerous that I found them annoying. There are several unique photographs. The book deals primarily with the naval aspect of the war. Land campaigns are briefly discussed. The air war gets an amount of treatment comparable to the ground coverage.
I was pleasantly pleased to see some discussion on the British degree of participation that I wasn't aware of.
I was pleasantly pleased to see some discussion on the British degree of participation that I wasn't aware of.
August 5, 2025
A fairly by the numbers account of the naval war in the pacific that is aided by the great visuals and brisk pace. Took me only a few days to read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews