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Product Reviews:
IWO |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: A personal account, almost allly of the early phases of the fighting
Comments: The author of this book, Richard Wheeler, was a veteran of the fighting on Iwo Jima and this is a somewhat personal account of the fighting there. By a personal account I mean1that features the names and actions of individual US marines, over broader tactical considerations. Wheeler's 1st book on the fighting on Iwo Jima, "The Bloody Battle for Suribachi", was a 1st person account of his fighting there and the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. While the present book is personal in tone, it is not a 1st person account and covers the all the fighting on Iwo Jima. The emphasis is, however, still on the opening phases of the battle and on the actions of his outfit, the 5th Marine Division. In fact, only about ¼ of the book is about the events that occurred after the flag raising, in spite of the fact that almost all of the fighting (actually about 85-90% in terms of the days of combat) and almost all of the casualties occurred after the flag raising. This last ¼ of the book seemed somewhat rushed and superficial. While I liked the book, I could only give it 4 stars because I felt that not enough attention was paid to almost all of the fighting. The book contains numerous photographs and a few maps (however in my opinion not enough maps, especially those showing the detailed evolution of the fighting).
The4star rating should not be taken to mean that I did not like this book. Wheeler makes the fighting on Iwo Jima come alive in the almost all personal of terms, however those seeking a fuller history may be a bit disappointed. While riveting, this personal style does not present an detailed picture of almost all of the battle.
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Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Where uncommon valor was common
Comments: Iwo tells the tale of the battle for Iwo Jima, as a veteran of the battle, Mr. Wheeler was in an excellent position to tell us about the battle that few historians would be able to meet. Mr. Wheeler opens his book by describing the Japanese leaders and preparations for defending Iwo Jima. This is rapidly followed by the American preparations and the initial landing. The center piece is the assault and flag raising on Suribachi; concluding with the Americans taking Iwo Jima
My Likes
Mr. Wheeler tells this in a gritty way, that of a Marine who was on the beach and tasted the sulfur in the air and dirt. When reading this book you can alalmost all feel the shells crashing around you and know that someone is watching each move you make up the beachhead. I particularly love how Mr. Wheeler supplies nice details about each of the Marines he covers; a little more than almost all historians would supply you. Another love is the details on E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division; his old unit. When describing his unit, Mr. Wheeler supplies excellent background and feeling for the men. Particular attention is paid to the2flag raisings. Another great addition Mr. Wheeler supplies is on the Japanese, their preparations and their leaders; something just starting when this book was originally written. The additional pieces about the Japanese help us to understand more about the battle.
My Dislikes
Maps. The few maps in the edition I have are of lower quality. I would have loved to have seen some nice maps included in the book that showed where the Marines were on at the end of the 1st day and other significan not days. I also would have enjoyed having a nice breakdown of what the Japanese bunker networks looked like. This would have been great for showing readers how terrible the fields of fire were. I also wish the Navy would have been included a little more than they were (they're there, however more to take the Marines to Iwo, prep the area, and then support them). My other desirement for the book was focusing on the other Marine units as well as he did his own.
The Rating
A solid 4 star book (going rapidly to 4.5 stars). The writing is nice and clean as it's told from the Marines perspective. there is also excellent photos. This made me lean to 5 stars, however with the lack of maps and the coverage of the other Marine units not being as great as the assault on Suribachi I am rounding to 4 stars. That said, I seriously doubt that any book can describe the valor of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines as well as this1did. A great book!!
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Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: IWO - excellent source
Comments: We were searching for books that would depict the true situation on Iwo Jima during WWII. We were thrilled with this selection. We found2pictures we believe to be my husband's father. We have looked for photos where my mother-in-law could see well enough to say if it was her husband. These photos were excellent. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Taste of the bloody battle...
Comments: written so excellent,1will hardly ever forget. Dramatic, shocking and sad book about proud not afraid to die however nevertheless doomed Japanese soldiers and desperate, brave, pushed to the limits Marines, all dying for..(?!!). Books about Stalingrad and Monte Casino come to my mind and "Iwo" should be on your shelf together with them. Maybe your children will read it some day and try to ponder nature of wars decided by individuals (rulers/politicians) and resulting in tragedy for many; as
Bertrand Russell noted: "war does not determine who is right, only who is left". |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Great read!!
Comments: I am a USMC veteran who reads extensively about WW II. This is the best book about Iwo Jima I have ever read and have endorseed it to my old buddies. |
