This book comes highly recommended, it is even covering both Howlin Mad's positives and negatives.
It dives into the truth behind Gen. Smith. He was probably the best tactical and amphibious expert in the Pacific. It answers many of the controversial statements, a bitter and depressed General wrote in his memoirs, "Coral and Brass". It explains how the book came about and the reasons why it was so off base. It shows that Smith did believe that the Invasion of Tarawa was needed. It showed the true story behind the Smith vs Smith controversy and proving that USMC Gen. Smith was correct in relieving US Army Gen. Smith. Showing that he took it up the chain of command and Adm. Spruance actually order his relief. The book covers Gen. Smith's belief that the US Army and possibly Adm. Nimitz didn't want Gen. Smith to command larger operations.
I highly recommend this book in helping set the record straight on USMC General Holland M. "Howlin Mad" Smith. I do recommend reading Coral and Brass first and compare.