Iwo

We were searching for books that would depict the true situation on Iwo Jima during WWII. We were thrilled with this selection. We found two pictures 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.

written so excellent, one will hardly ever forget. Dramatic, shocking and sad book about proud not afraid to die but 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".

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 recommended it to my old buddies.

IWO is spellbinding. Written from the point of view of the Marines that fought, it tells their story and keeps the reader glued to the pages. Graphic discriptions of life and death hold the attention and provide a new insight to this battle. A must read for anyone intrested the military and war history.

As someone who reads a lot of military history, I have to say this book keeps you in the action! Written from the point of view of the Marines fighting on Iwo Jima and the Japanese defending it, you're kept in the heat of the battle. Richard Wheeler's graphic descriptions of death, life, and sometimes humor in this "10 Day operation" will amaze and shock readers into seeing why "uncommon valor was a common virtue". The book is not a grand strategic overview of all the forces in the operation. It does give the reader a look at the preparations the Japanese made, the Army Air Corps' use for the island, and the maneuvers the various Marine divisions did, or tried to do. Also contained is a complete background on the famous flag raising. The book is really the story of the individual Marines and how they lived and fought on the island. Marine's names and backgrounds abound due to the author's first-hand knowledge. For anyone that saw Saving Private Ryan this is the Pacific version. A must read for anyone interested in the Pacific campaigns of World War II, the war in general, or the Marines.