Pacific Crucible: The Epic Naval Struggle of World War II in the Pacific, 1941-1942

Steven A. Lomba: This review is for the entire three volume series, not just this book. I am very interested in the Pacific theater of WWII. I have read all of the S.E. Morison volumes and everything newer that I can get my hands on. Some offerings are dull and dry and really offer nothing new. Some have newer, recently uncovered information. Some are simply a compilation of all the known facts, presented in an interesting manner and a new approach. Known information presented through different eyes - or a different pen - is always interesting as it fills out your understanding and experience of the event. This series falls into the latter category. The "story" unfolds in a logical and easy to follow progression and includes interesting information on subjects external to the actual battles, such as the American government's (both the President and the Navy Dept) interaction with the press and also how the Japanese government dealt with presenting (or not) information to the public. I am currently in the last quarter of the 3rd book in the series, "Twilight of the Gods" and have enjoyed every page. The ONE negative I have for the series is that there are very few - and those not very worthwhile -...

United States on Jan 23, 2024

Mike Dismuke: ...I have ever read. I don't know if it's the author, or just me, or both, but this has been the first time I have read over this narrative and really understood what happened at these battles. Perhaps because the battles themselves are so confusing; but the author does a stellar job of untangling it in an understandable manner.

The initial shock and panic after Pearl is also covered quite well. We live in such a totally different world these days. Never have we been this close to foreign invasion since the Pomeys burnt our capital down. But we're best mates now, eh?

Just the fact that naval leaders could (and did) ignore Naval intelligence during this period really brings home Nimitz', (and King's) brilliance in trusting the "long hairs" to get it right. And of course all the wrong people claiming, and getting the credit for it. Business as usual for the military ring-knockers.

You get some unique perspective, from both sides, as is the custom these days; however, I find myself not giving a damn what the Japanese thought at the time, and usually skim through those parts. But if that's your thing, you'll be covered here.

The author states that this was...

United States on Sep 22, 2023

The Com: Part 1 of the 3 part trilogy. I long ago lost count of the number of military histories I have read. This is among the finest. Yes, three sizeable volumes is daunting but the quality of the writing justifies every hour committed to reading. The research is impeccable and the narrative style and flow is possibly the most accessible you will ever come across. A majestic piece of work.

United Kingdom on Jul 16, 2023

Julio Ichaso: Profundo análisis de las causas y desarrollo de la guerra del Pacífico, magníficamente escrito y documentado. Es de lo mejor que he leido en literatura histórica.

Spain on Nov 03, 2022

Archimod: This book is exhaustively researched, but wears its erudition lightly. Detailed, battle-by-battle accounts of the major sea encounters, with maps, and well-drawn portraits of FDR, Churchill, Admiral Yamamoto (fascinating tragic figure!) and many others. I can only praise this book, a must for anyone interested in the Pacific theater of war.

Germany on Nov 25, 2021

Jacqueline Stillman: Je n'ai commencé à le que récemment mais je ne peux pas laisser tomber!

France on Jan 01, 2019

M Tucker: I so thoroughly enjoyed Mr Toll’s second volume in this series that I decided to read his first installment and I am very glad I did!

Many good reviews have been written so instead of a review I would like to indulge in a little critique but I would like to make clear that just because Mr Toll did not fashion his story to include a few things that I think important and just because he indulges in a theme that I think is a red herring does not detract from his wonderful narrative. The red herring theme is not really a very important part of the overall story.

The author makes reference a few times to a supposed rivalry or competition between naval air and the battleship folks. It comes across as if the “black shoe” navy did not really trust that aircraft could make any meaningful impact in war. On page 57 (paperback) he says:

“The fate of Force Z…settled old and bitter arguments. …it was a conceptual triumph within naval circles all over the world for the cause of aviation, and did more than even Pearl Harbor to undermine the power of the Mahanian ‘big gun club.’”

There was no power to undermine. The navy, to include the “black...

United States on Mar 09, 2016

P2: Ian Toll has written a first-class history of the first stage of America's war in the Pacific, from 1941-42. War in the Pacific during World War 2 was incredibly complex, even though for the Western Allies it began nearly 2.5 years later than war with Germany. Toll has wisely decided to divide his history of America's Pacific War into 3 separate volumes, of which "Pacific Crucible" is but the first. It is well written and includes many of the smaller, but significant, human details of individual lives and experiences that makes for an attractive page-turner. Even though many books on this subject have previously appeared, I still learned interesting new things that I had not seen in at least a dozen other books by well known and lauded writers. Ian Toll's second volume in this series, "The Conquering Tide", covering the war from 1942-44, is now available and I am about half way through reading it. It too is an absolutely splendid read! One must keep in mind, however, that given the complexity of the subject, even Toll's use of three volumes to cover 3.5 years of war experience only results in a "relative synopsis" of the Pacific War. Entire volumes as long and longer than Toll's...

Canada on Jan 19, 2016