Unstoppable Force: World War II in the Pacific Islands, 1942-1944

Mike Dismuke: ...to the two other books, which book-end this excellent trilogy. The author seems to have a knack for presenting the overview, but then going into details, without getting bogged down on either end. It is a clear picture of events, basically from the Canal, to Tarawa, to Saipan/Guam/Tinian. And the major carrier battles that ensued. These two themes are inter-woven, and give the Pacific theater it's unique aspect, as opposed to classic ETO land battles.

I must agree with the author, in that many aspects of the Pacific War have been over-looked, or under-reported, as compared to the European theater. For instance, British attacks on Italian shipping have been immortalized in many accounts, whereas US Naval attacks on Japanese bases have been largely ignored. And while Coral Sea and Midway have been covered in lavish detail, lesser known sea battles in the Solomons and Gilbert Islands have been largely neglected.

Some readers (including myself) have keyed in on the island-hopping campaign; others study the naval battles. When you read of them both, in fairly balanced form, you get a much larger sense of this war, and this is what I think this author has excelled...

United States on Sep 25, 2023

Dave the Rave: Like the previous volume, this is a fast paced recount of the road to Saipan and the end of the middle of the war in the pacific. Or to coin a oft used phrase "that was what was said". Once the pace lags when Toll goes ashore to deep dive into the character of those involved in keeping themselves to themselves. Once again, the USA's production of war supplies over comes the timidity of it's commanders in the field and afloat. On to the next volume!

Canada on Mar 17, 2023

skepticart: This is the second volume in a three volume series documenting the US war effort in the Pacific front during World War II. The first volume, Pacific Crucible, chronicled the very beginning of the war, 1941 to 1942, immediately after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and through the American sea victory at Midway Island in 1942. The third volume of Dr. Toll’s series on the Pacific theater in World War II, Twilight of the Gods, 1944 to 1945, documents the final phase of conquering Japan despite its stubborn insistence to perpetuate the war with delusional strategies.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the American forces reconstructed Pearl Harbor which became a forward command post for The US Pacific forces. American intelligence specialists in Pearl Harbor eventually broke the encrypted Japanese communication codes which led to anticipating Japanese plans to take Midway Islands. American naval leaders set a trap which resulted in a major sea battle and a devastating defeat for the Japanese Navy at Midway Island.
A highlight of this second volume of Dr. Toll’s series on the Pacific theatre in World War II was the brilliant surprise attack on Admiral Yamamoto in 1943....

United States on Mar 01, 2023

andy rb: This is the second book of the trilogy fascinating read telling me things I didn't already know new knowledge great write

United Kingdom on Jun 18, 2022

B. Williams: I am still reading this book. It is well written, interesting and explains very well the developments that took place after Pearl Harbor.

United Kingdom on Jan 14, 2022

Dr. Kurt Jogun: If one has already made aquaintance with other works on the Pacific war, this history stands out in giving a balanced and presumably accurate picture of these events. It shows events from the perspective of both adversaries, working out, how the US turned basic concepts into workable strategies and how their enemies failed to do so. The political side is shown in its many facets. In a convincing way, strenghts and weaknesses of the major leaders are discussed. Even racist lapses on the US side are mentioned.
This is to me US history writing at its best.

Germany on Nov 22, 2020

greasey: This book is an absolute gem, focusing on the Pacific Island and naval battles from 1942-44. There's 200 pages alone on the Guadalcanal campaign, and the 5 major naval battles that took place around it in the Solomon Islands. Then the author focuses on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the US raid on Truk which has been forgotten, and ends with the landings on Saipan and Guam, with an excellent account of the large battle of the Philippine Sea, also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot.
I feel that the author focuses more on the naval aspects of the Pacific Theater, rather than the actual battles of the land campaigns on the islands. The book reads more like a novel than a non fiction book, and its written so it is easily understood, with some politics included. Overall the book was a page turner and is certainly one of the best books on the US campaigns in the Pacific in World War 2. I look forward to the third volume, as this is the second volume of Ian W Toll's Pacific trilogy.

United Kingdom on Feb 24, 2018