PACIFIC WAR STORIES : In the Words of Those Who Survived

This is the most extensive collection published to date of first-person oral histories on so many diverse aspects of the war in the Pacific—told in gripping, eyewitness accounts by more than seventy veterans from all branches of service. In this new book by the authors of Pacific Legacy: Image and Memory of World War II in the Pacific, the history of the War in the Pacific comes vividly to life in the words of those who witnessed it first hand. The editors create for the reader, as the veterans themselves recall it, what that war was like—how it looked, felt, smelled, and sounded. The stories collected here are a unique portrayal of the mundane, exotic, boring, terrifying, life-altering events that made up their wartime experiences in World War II in the Pacific, a war fought on countless far-flung islands over an area that constitutes about one-third of the globe. What the veterans saw and lived through has stayed with them their entire lives, and much of it comes to the surface again through their vivid memories. This is an important book for military buffs as well as for the survivors of World War II and their families. The narratives, grouped into fifteen thematic, chronologically arranged chapters, are stirring, first-hand accounts, from front-line combat at the epicenter of violence and death to restless, weary boredom on rear area islands thousands of miles from the fighting. While their experiences differed, all were changed by what happened to them in the Pacific. These are not the stories of sweeping strategies or bold moves by generals and admirals. Instead, we hear from men and women on the lower rungs, including ordinary seamen on vessels that encountered Japanese warships and planes and sometimes came out second best, rank-and-file Marines who were in amtracs churning toward bullet-swept tropical beaches and saw their buddies killed beside them, and astounded eyewitnesses to the war’s sudden start on December 7, 1941. The most extensive collection published to date of first-person oral histories on so many diverse aspects of the war in the Pacific—told in gripping, eyewitness accounts by more than seventy veterans from all branches of service.In this new book by the authors of Pacific Legacy: Image and Memory of World War II in the Pacific, the history of the War in the Pacific comes vividly to life in the words of those who witnessed it first hand. The editors create for the reader, as the veterans themselves recall it, what that war was like—how it looked, felt, smelled, and sounded. The stories collected here are a unique portrayal of the mundane, exotic, boring, terrifying, life-altering events that made up their wartime experiences in World War II in the Pacific, a war fought on countless far-flung islands over an area that constitutes about one-third of the globe. What the veterans saw and lived through has stayed with them their entire lives, and much of it comes to the surface again through their vivid memories.The narratives, grouped into fifteen thematic, chronologically arranged chapters, are stirring, first-hand accounts, from front-line combat at the epicenter of violence and death to restless, weary boredom on rear area islands thousands of miles from the fighting. While their experiences differed, all were changed by what happened to them in the Pacific. These are not the stories of sweeping strategies or bold moves by generals and admirals. Instead, we hear from men and women on the lower rungs, including ordinary seamen on vessels that encountered Japanese warships and planes and sometimes came out second best, rank-and-file Marines who were in amtracs churning toward bullet-swept tropical beaches and saw their buddies killed beside them, and astounded eyewitnesses to the war's sudden start on December 7, 1941. This is an important book for military buffs as well as for the survivors of World War II and their families. No Published Collection Of First-person Oral Histories Encompasses So Many Diverse Aspects Of World War Ii In The Pacific - In Gripping, Eyewitness Accounts From More Than Seventy Veterans Of All Branches Of Service. In Their Own Evocative Words, Veterans Who Fought For Their Lives Against The Japanese Empire Some Sixty Years Ago Now Think Back On The Terrifying, Perilous, Exotic, Life-altering Events That Made Up Their Wartime Experiences. What They Saw And Lived Through Has Stayed With Them Their Entire Lives, And Much Of It Comes To The Surface Again Through Their Vivid Memories. These Are Not The Stories Of Sweeping Military Strategies Or Bold Tactical Moves By Generals And Admirals. Instead, We Hear Mainly From Those On The Lower Rungs Of The Military Ladder, From Ordinary Seamen On Vessels That Encountered Japanese Warships And Planes And Sometimes Came Out Second-best, From Rank-and-file Marines Who In Amtracs Churning Toward Bullet-swept Tropical Beaches Saw Buddies Killed Right Next To Them, And From Startled Eyewitnesses To The War's Sudden Beginning On December 7, 1941. Pacific War Stories Is A Book Of Stirring, First-hand Accounts From Front-line Combat At The Epicenter Of Violence And Death To Restless Weariness On Rear Area Islands Thousands Of Miles From The Fighting To Chilling Aerial Encounters With The Dreaded Japanese Zero. Fortunately, These Compelling Stories Were Collected Before It Became Too Late, For They Cover Myriad Aspects Of What It Was Like To Have Lived Through The War In The Pacific, A War Fought On Countless Islands Scattered Over An Area Constituting One-third Of The Globe.--jacket. Compiled And Edited By Rex Alan Smith And Gerald A. Meehl. Includes Index. The Rothschild family, renowned as bankers, have had a huge impact on Western social and political history over nearly two centuries. Less well-known is their influence on the landscape, for many members of the family have been passionate and knowledgeable gardeners, skillfully creating magnificent parklands and gardens throughout England, Europe, and elsewhere. Enthusiastic and flamboyant, the Rothschilds have always been fond of showy bedding displays and elaborate topiary, but they have also enjoyed producing fruit and vegetables. Baron Edmond delighted guests at his households in Paris and Boulogne by inviting them to pick fresh fruit - ripe red or black cherries, or greengage plums - straight from dwarf trees brought into the dining room!. More than just a book about beautiful gardens and estates, this is a combination of glorious photographs, extraordinary anecdotes, vast fortunes, and magnificent gardens. Archival pictures of many of the gardens and the characters involved accompany Miriam Rothschild's intimate, amusing look at the competitiveness and drive for perfection that has typified her family's behavior in gardening, as well as in business. This is the most extensive collection published to date of first-person oral histories on so many diverse aspects of the war in the Pacific - told in gripping, eyewitness accounts by more than seventy veterans from all branches of service.