No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal
by Merrill B. Twining
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Book Summary Information
Author: Merrill B. TwiningEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-03-30
ISBN: 0891418261
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Presidio Press
Book Reviews of No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal
Book Review: A Marine officer's WW2 memories
Summary: 5 Stars
"No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal," by Merrill B. Twining, is a memoir by a U.S. Marine Corps officer who served on the headquarters staff of the First Marine Division during World War II. The book is edited by Neil G. Carey and features a foreword by Lieut. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, USMC (retired). Gen. Twining tells of the the Marines' stay in New Zealand in preparation for battle, the amphibious assault on the island of Guadalcanal, combat on the island, and the aftermath of his time on Guadalcanal.
This is a fascinating account of the massive effort to transform this island into what Twining calls "an unsinkable aircraft carrier." He offers a comprehensive and compelling look at how all the various individuals and organizations contributed to this epic effort, among them Marine aviators, Navy Seabees, the Army Air Corps, Navajo code talkers, native workers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, Army National Guard troops, and more. He tells about American relations and encounters with British, Australian, and New Zealander personnel.
Twining writes about the diseases, deprivation, and harsh conditions faced by the heroic personnel at Guadalcanal. But it's not all grim and serious. He offers colorful portraits of the people he served with and includes funny anecdotes--the book actually made me laugh out loud. Gen. Twining skilfully weaves interesting technical details about military tactics and gear into the compelling human story. Whether writing about techniques used to cool machine guns in the heat of battle or the merits of different boat loading techniques in an amphibious assault, Twining always offers some fascinating insights into the practical realities of war.
But what really makes this book remarkable, and even fun, is Twining's tone. Yes, he is a serious military professional, with respect and affection for the many remarkable men with whom he served. But his voice is also often quite feisty and cutting. He doesn't hold back when criticizing many instances of military stupidity and short-sightedness. At times his writing even has a blisteringly satiric edge. "No Bended Knee" is a spirited and superbly written addition to the glorious canon of American military memoirs.
Summary of No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal
?A VIVID NARRATIVE . . . A splendid first-person account of the costly campaign that enabled Allied forces to wrest Guadalcanal from the Japanese in World War II?s Pacific theater.??Kirkus Reviews
?By reading and studying No Bended Knee, the military professional can gain an appreciation for war at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Twining writes as he served his corps?boldly and straightforwardly, with impeccable detail and superb understanding of things strategic.?
?Airpower Journal
?A VIEW FROM THE NERVE CENTER COMPLETE WITH TELLING PERSONAL ANECDOTES.?
?Journal Inquirer (Manchester, CT)
?Twining adds notably to the literature on Guadalcanal and provides one of the best accounts of war as seen from the perspective of the often maligned yet absolutely indispensable headquarters staff.?
?Booklist
?CANDID AND REVEALING.?
?Publishers Weekly
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