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War in the South Pacific: Out in the Boondocks, U.S. Marines Tell Their Stories
The stories provide the reader with an intimate view of war at the frontlines (on the ground or in the sky as a Marine aviator), with the Marines facing a determined enemy who would die rather than surrender.The stories of these brave young men vividly portray the horrors of war as well as serve as a lasting reminder of the heroism displayed by these men.
110 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2015
316 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
James D. Horan
41 books5 followersJames David Horan was an American newspaper editor, author and novelist. Born in New York City, he studied at Drake College in Jersey City and at the New York University Writing Center. He wrote more then 40 books, primarily history or historical fiction, and was employed as Special Events Editor for the New York Journal American for many years. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his books, and a member of many organizations of writers and historians.
He and his wife, Gertrude Dorrity, had four children.
He and his wife, Gertrude Dorrity, had four children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 30, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed these fresh, first hand accounts of the fighting on Guadalcanal. At first I wanted to know more about the soldiers who are featured. Then I realized, this was written right after the battle when memories were still fresh. Thus, there would be no follow-up to what happened to them after the battle which makes sense. Even with the victory at Midway, our industrial might had yet kicked in and the war in the pacific was still up in the air. This battle gave the American people a great shot in the arm for morale dispelled the myth that the Japanese could not be defeated.
The only flaw, which seems to be constant denominator I have commented on with reproduced works, TOO many grammatical and format issues. This must stop!
The only flaw, which seems to be constant denominator I have commented on with reproduced works, TOO many grammatical and format issues. This must stop!
November 26, 2018
Gritty personal combat
Best personal war narrative I've read. Written by the men who fought the first action of WW2. Required reading for any future war fighter. A SWELL read !!
Best personal war narrative I've read. Written by the men who fought the first action of WW2. Required reading for any future war fighter. A SWELL read !!
April 16, 2018
True Memorial
Stories dictated by the Marine himself. The horrors of war and memories of fellow Marines that really touch home. Thanks to all that ever Served but a. special thanks to combat veterans..
Stories dictated by the Marine himself. The horrors of war and memories of fellow Marines that really touch home. Thanks to all that ever Served but a. special thanks to combat veterans..
April 18, 2018
This is the best kind of history about combat because it is 100% as told by the men who lived the experiences. The stories recalled in this book were recorded very shortly after they occurred, mostly while the Marine was recovering in a hospital from his battle wounds.
August 7, 2025
As a Marine Corps veteran, reading this book was a visceral experience, transporting me back to the lessons of Marine Corps history learned in boot camp, but with a newfound, profound respect for the generation that endured Guadalcanal. The author masterfully plunges the reader into the "Green Hell" faced by the Marines.
This isn't just a sterile recounting of battle plans; it's a raw, unflinching look at the brutal reality of the campaign. You can almost feel the constant, gnawing tension of enemy contact lurking just beyond the perimeter. The book brilliantly details the unforgiving environment: the suffocating heat and relentless rain, the swarms of insects, and the ever-present snakes. It vividly portrays the miserable existence of living in a foxhole for weeks on end, battling not just the enemy, but also starvation and disease.
What makes this account so powerful are the first-hand narratives woven throughout. Through the eyes of the Marines themselves, you witness the profound courage and the heartbreaking loss of their brothers in arms. There were no rear-echelon comforts; survival was primal. The wounded relied solely on the heroic work of their Navy Corpsmen for immediate, life-saving care before a perilous medevac to a ship. This book is a stark and vital reminder of the sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering spirit of the Marines who fought and died on Guadalcanal. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of victory in the Pacific.
This isn't just a sterile recounting of battle plans; it's a raw, unflinching look at the brutal reality of the campaign. You can almost feel the constant, gnawing tension of enemy contact lurking just beyond the perimeter. The book brilliantly details the unforgiving environment: the suffocating heat and relentless rain, the swarms of insects, and the ever-present snakes. It vividly portrays the miserable existence of living in a foxhole for weeks on end, battling not just the enemy, but also starvation and disease.
What makes this account so powerful are the first-hand narratives woven throughout. Through the eyes of the Marines themselves, you witness the profound courage and the heartbreaking loss of their brothers in arms. There were no rear-echelon comforts; survival was primal. The wounded relied solely on the heroic work of their Navy Corpsmen for immediate, life-saving care before a perilous medevac to a ship. This book is a stark and vital reminder of the sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering spirit of the Marines who fought and died on Guadalcanal. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of victory in the Pacific.
January 21, 2019
Honoring our armed forces
War is horrible. Yet, there are times that we must wage them. World war 2 was absolutely necessary to stop the maniacal racist Nazis in Europe and the beastly imperialistic japan in Asia. Our armed forces met the challenge as clearly described in this well-written book. It is definitely worth reading and in a way honoring our heroes.
War is horrible. Yet, there are times that we must wage them. World war 2 was absolutely necessary to stop the maniacal racist Nazis in Europe and the beastly imperialistic japan in Asia. Our armed forces met the challenge as clearly described in this well-written book. It is definitely worth reading and in a way honoring our heroes.
October 30, 2017
World War II Story
This book has the usual problems as any book made into a Kindle book from a print book. It is not a very interesting book, because every story is simply a recitation of how they killed Japs. Over and over again.
This book has the usual problems as any book made into a Kindle book from a print book. It is not a very interesting book, because every story is simply a recitation of how they killed Japs. Over and over again.
January 19, 2020
Excellent stories
The stories were very interesting as they are authentic from people who experienced them. You could feel their pain at the same time their courage.
If you want a series of true experiences this will do it.
The stories were very interesting as they are authentic from people who experienced them. You could feel their pain at the same time their courage.
If you want a series of true experiences this will do it.
October 22, 2021
Added some needed texture to another straight history of the battle of Guadalcanal. The accounts are from individual marines, so it was interesting to hear the variety of experiences in the Pacific. Horrendous.
January 11, 2018
Guadalcanal
Interesting reading the different stories. A lot of examples of the greatest generation. I would recommend this book to people who like history.
Interesting reading the different stories. A lot of examples of the greatest generation. I would recommend this book to people who like history.
January 14, 2018
Marines. You have to admire them. All the ones I've ever known, if they made it through the crucible, are probably the toughest, most reliable, and honorable people in the world!
July 12, 2018
The way this book is written can feel amateurish to some, but it is written by the men that lived it, so it is their thoughts. I really enjoyed that personally.
July 26, 2018
Shame to think of how many of these brave men and women gave their lives for this country in War, now in 2018 we see so many of privilege disrespecting our flag.
January 9, 2019
Good read
Personal experiences from guys that had it fresh on their minds. Just wish was some closure as to wanted happened to the guys after the war.
Personal experiences from guys that had it fresh on their minds. Just wish was some closure as to wanted happened to the guys after the war.
April 12, 2019
Just like it was
It takes you to the place and the mindset of what was going on in each person's story. Well written and easy to understand what the stories are all about
It takes you to the place and the mindset of what was going on in each person's story. Well written and easy to understand what the stories are all about
September 18, 2019
Amazing
The story is always better right from the soldiers themselves. I am absolutely impressed what a great generation of soldiers fought in WW2.
The story is always better right from the soldiers themselves. I am absolutely impressed what a great generation of soldiers fought in WW2.
May 7, 2020
Well written and impressive details retelling the stories of Marine Heroes! Semper Fi
October 4, 2018
A Grunts War
This book is a collection of individual Marine's (Grunts, NCOs, and Officer) recollections of their battles and offen times woundings on Guadalcanal and the surrounding Solomon Islands. It appears to be written by the individuals themselves and all are first person narratives.
An easy read. Good source material on this particular battle and the Japanese tactics at the time.
This book is a collection of individual Marine's (Grunts, NCOs, and Officer) recollections of their battles and offen times woundings on Guadalcanal and the surrounding Solomon Islands. It appears to be written by the individuals themselves and all are first person narratives.
An easy read. Good source material on this particular battle and the Japanese tactics at the time.
January 28, 2026
One of the best oral history books about World War II. The memories are fresh and violent, the language is harsh, and the vernacular is distinct (something that is generally lost in modern retellings of the war).
The first stories are the most striking and revolve around hand-to-hand combat, firefights, or repelling large scale Japanese banzai charges. Notable among them is the story of Navy Cross recipient Al Schmid, whose exploits as a machine gunner during the Battle of the Tenaru River would be immortalized in the Hollywood film Pride of the Marines.
The latter stories in the book are slightly less dramatic but still compelling. Each veteran’s account focuses on a different feature of the campaign: contested beach landings, aerial gunnery, deprivations in the jungle, bombardment, camaraderie, killing, and miraculous near-death experiences.
If you’re looking for a sweeping examination of the Guadalcanal campaign, look elsewhere. This is the human side of the story.
The first stories are the most striking and revolve around hand-to-hand combat, firefights, or repelling large scale Japanese banzai charges. Notable among them is the story of Navy Cross recipient Al Schmid, whose exploits as a machine gunner during the Battle of the Tenaru River would be immortalized in the Hollywood film Pride of the Marines.
The latter stories in the book are slightly less dramatic but still compelling. Each veteran’s account focuses on a different feature of the campaign: contested beach landings, aerial gunnery, deprivations in the jungle, bombardment, camaraderie, killing, and miraculous near-death experiences.
If you’re looking for a sweeping examination of the Guadalcanal campaign, look elsewhere. This is the human side of the story.
September 27, 2020
It is a collection of contemporaneous accounts of Marines, in their own words, of their personal battle experience. The language is in the vernacular of the 1940's, and the narrative voice varies with the age, education, and geographic origin of the men who shared their experiences.
This is a historic collection of reembrace by the brave Marines who fought against a tenacious, often cruel enemy, in the unforgiving, and brutal conditions of the islands of the South Pacific.
This is a historic collection of reembrace by the brave Marines who fought against a tenacious, often cruel enemy, in the unforgiving, and brutal conditions of the islands of the South Pacific.
July 21, 2016
Good read.
These men who lived and fought World War II in the Pacific were what was called The Greatest Generation. They fought the war because they knew that was their job. They didn't complain because that was their job, and tud
These men who lived and fought World War II in the Pacific were what was called The Greatest Generation. They fought the war because they knew that was their job. They didn't complain because that was their job, and tud
July 31, 2018
Yay for our side!
There were a lot of guys that got to the Southwest Pacific Theater that didn’t have the luck to survive the experience. These are a few that did.
There were a lot of guys that got to the Southwest Pacific Theater that didn’t have the luck to survive the experience. These are a few that did.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews