Iwo Jima: World War II Veterans Remember the Greatest Battle of the Pacific
by Larry Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Larry SmithEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-17
ISBN: 0393062341
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Product features:
- Inspiring study in courage, perserverance and humanity
Book Reviews of Iwo Jima: World War II Veterans Remember the Greatest Battle of the Pacific
Book Review: Superb collection of personal histories
Summary: 5 Stars
Author Larry Smith says it himself in his introduction: "This book does not presume to offer a definitive account of what has been called the thirty-six days in hell of Iwo Jima . . . Rather, it is a series of snapshots offering a glimpse into the lives of twenty-two men who took part in various aspects rof the conflict and how they have faired since."
It is a remarkable and remarkably well done effort.
Smith groups the twenty-two stories into seven topical sections, each dealing with a specific aspect of the battle, except for two which deal with the aftermath and the use of Iwo Jima as a base for fighters and emergency landing field for B-29s flying back from bombing Japan.
Smith is both an excellent interviewer and writer. He truly does let each of the veterans speak for themselves and tell their stories. What is a bit unique in Smith's approach is that he lets the veterans tell of their experiences on Iwo Jima and their lives since then.
It is sad in a way to see the contrasting photographs for most of these men as they appeared when young and in their warrior prime and now when they are in their eighties and nineties.
It is good that Smith reached these men before they passed taking their stories with them. It was a different America back then, an America when young men were willing to give their lives in the name of freedom. Smith doesn't ask these veterans for their opinion of today's American society.
Several of the men received major awards for valor. Almost all received the Purple Heart, the medal signifying that the holder was wounded in combat.
From the pre-invasion jitters to the post-conflict burying of the dead by the graves registration unit, Smith and the veterans recall the battle. Pilots who flew after Iwo Jima was won tell their stories as well.
All in all, a unique and well done collection of personal histories and well worth reading.
Jerry
Summary of Iwo Jima: World War II Veterans Remember the Greatest Battle of the Pacific
The men who fought and survived the deadliest battle of the Pacific come to life in this powerful oral history.
On February 19, 1945, nearly 70,000 American soldiers invaded a tiny volcanic island in the Pacific. Over the next thirty-five days, approximately 28,000 soldiers died, including nearly 22,000 Japanese and 6,821 Americans, making Iwo Jima one of the costliest battles of World War II. Best-selling oral historian Larry Smith dug deep for exclusive stories from Iwo Jima veterans, including the last surviving flag raiser on Mount Suribachi, a Navajo "Code Talker," a retired general, two Medal of Honor recipients, B-29 flyers, and other die-hard Marines who secured the island. Along the way, Smith investigates the controversy surrounding the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal and presents the groundbreaking story of Japanese General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, rumored to have committed suicide rather than submit to capture. With dozens of photographs and maps, Iwo Jima is an unprecedented look at this pivotal battle and an inspiring study in courage, perseverance, and humanity.Veterans Books
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