Crisis in the Pacific: The Battles for the Philippine Islands by the Men Who Fought Them

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Summary: Insight to the men who fought in the Philippines during WW2
Review: Another great effort by Gerald Astor, this time he offers the reader an oral history of the fighting in the Philippines during WW2. The author draws his narrative from the experiences of American Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen and covers the first and second campaigns conducted in the Philippines during the war. The book provides an interesting and detailed insight into the experiences of the common soldier and helps those who have never experienced such things an understanding why men do certain things. An enjoyable and easy to read account of a WW2 campaign.

Rating:
Summary: Crisis in the Pacific; The Battles for the Philippine Island
Review: Excellent review of the war in the pacific. This story is long overdue. Hats off to Mr. Astor for the way he intermingled history with the personal stories of the courageous men and women who endured, fought and overcame an extremely vicious enemy. Anyone who had a family member in the pacific during WWII should read this book! Thank you Mr. Astor for a job well done!

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Summary: Completes this often skipped chapter of WWII
Review: What do you know about the Battle for the Philippines? Like most, you probably know that: 1) The Japanese invaded, 2) There were intense defensive delaying actions fought at Bataan and Corregidor, 3) MacArthur escaped vowing "I shall return!" 4) Captured survivors suffered greatly in their forced march from Bataan, and 5) Later, MacArthur did triumphantly return and everyone lived happily ever after. But there's much more to this battle than all that. Read about how MacArthur altered the defense plan for the archipelago from the original US plan and why he did so. See how the Imperial Japanese Navy almost dealt a blow to the US Naval Task Force. Learn why MacArthur was portrayed in the limelight (it wasn't personal vanity as some might think). But most of all, experience the bitter conflict through the eyes of the men who made it possible, and also paid for it. Astor's work is very readable, informative, and entertaining.