THE GREAT PACIFIC VICTORY

This was originally reported (P.464) for November publication, as follows:- This covers ground that has already been covered in succession of reports on the Central Pacific and South Pacific campaigns, but no other book -- so far -- has done so wide a coverage in one volume, nor succeeded in giving so graphic a sense of the linking of plan and procedure, the whys and wherefores, in a way that even the uninitiated reader with no tendency to interest in armchair strategy will find holding reading. It is very up-to-the-minute, -- from Guadalcanal to the signing of the terms on the Missouri -- and of immediate interest in the frank approach to critical objectivity, weighing the pros and cons of such widely disputed policies as the ""island hopping"" -- errors in judgment of enemy strength -- timidity -over-confidence -- personality conflicts, etc. Most interesting of all are his excellent pen portraits of Nimitz (""a great man"") -- of Spruance (with his aversion to publicity) -- of Halsey (while recognizing his great ability he gets in a few cracks) -- of Mitscher (the officer most consistently right in judgment). Intimate closeups of some dramatic phases of naval operation -- a tribute to the overall achievements, keystone to the entire Pacific war structure. He gives great credit, too, to MacArthur's extraordinary advance in a 12-month period from Moresby -- to the shores of Vitiz Strait -- and in no way minimizes the role of the allied air force under the inspired leadership of Kenney.... He speaks authoritatively as the author of The War At Sea and America's Navy in World War II.