Aug 18 2008

America’s Fighting Admirals by William Tuohy

After reading several interesting books about the naval war during World War II, I wanted to read about the men who led us to victory in that war. William Tuohy’s America’s Fighting Admirals piqued my interest. Tuohy satisfied my interest and more.

The book is organized chronologically by looking at the admirals who led the U.S. Navy during World War II.Tuohy focuses on the men who rose to the occasion and those who fell short. His list of fighting admirals includes such famous men as Admirals Raymond Spruance and William “Bull” Halsey, but also little known, but important men such as Admirals Willis “Ching” Lee and Aaron Stanton “Tip” Merrill.

Tuohy mainly covers the war in the Pacific Theater with a few pages about the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France. I understand that the Pacific Theater was by far the most important theater of operations for the U.S. Navy, but I think that Tuohy should have spent some time on the men who protected the convoys in the North Atlantic (then again maybe there weren’t any “fighting admirals” in those leaders).

Keep Reading

By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0

Aug 15 2008

Forgotten Books

I was asked by Patti Abbott to offer a post for her Forgotten Books series and like everything else in my life right now I am running behind.

The book that came to mind was A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck.  This was one of my earliest reading experiences and it made a big impression on me.  The story taught me how books can communicate not only action and adventure but depth and emotion.  I was drawn into the life of the characters in the way only great books can draw you in.

Here is the publishers description:

In the daily round of his thirteenth year, as the seasons turn and the
farm is tended, the boy — whose time is the only-yesterday of Calvin
Coolidge, whose people are the Plain People living without “frills” in
the Shaker Way — becomes a man.

That is all, and it is
everything. The boy is mauled by Apron, the neighbor’s ailing cow whom
he helps, alone, to give birth. The grateful farmer brings him a gift
– a newborn pig. His father at first demurs (“We thank you, Brother
Tanner,” said Papa, “but it’s not the Shaker Way to take frills for
being neighborly. All that Robert done was what any farmer would do for
another”) but is persuaded. Rob keeps the pig, names her, and gives her
his devotion … He wrestles with grammar in the schoolhouse. He hears
rumors of sin. He is taken — at last — to the Rutland Fair. He
broadens his heart to make room even for Baptists. And when his father,
who can neither read nor cipher, whose hands are bloodied by his trade,
whose wisdom and mastery of country things are bred in the bone,
entrusts Rob with his final secret, the boy makes the sacrifice that completes his passage into manhood.

I am not sure what qualifies as a “Forgotten Book.”  Although it is still available in mass paperback (with this rather garish cover) and Peck is a prominent author I have never heard anyone else mention this book.  Not even as part of a discussion of their childhood reading.  And I have yet to come across it in any of the used bookstores I frequent. 

It was, however, a part of my start as a life long reader.  So if it has become a forgotten book, it would please me to know that this post might introduce a few readers to this worthy classic.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0

Aug 11 2008

Rising Sons by Bill Yenne

Rising Sons by Bill Yenne tells the story of Japanese Americans who fought for their country in World War II despite the fact that their families were incarcerated in internment camps in the western United States.  Yenne covers the stories of these brave Americans who fought the Japanese and Germans – most fought in Europe in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT).  The book is a quick read at 262 pages.

The book generally covers the stories of the men from December 7, 1941 to the end of World War II – supplemented by what happened to some of the men after the war.  One chapter covers a black mark in American history.  Yenne chronicles how America turned its back on many Japanese Americans by putting those who lived on the West Coast in camps (not all of the internees were U.S. citizens – because of immigration laws for Japanese immigrants, only their children born in the U.S. could become citizens).  In addition, most Japanese Americans were kicked out of the armed forces within months following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

As a result of their treatment, most Japanese Americans wanted to prove their loyalty to their country by joining the fight against the Axis Powers.  However, they were initially denied this as well.  Many military and political leaders felt that the Japanese Americans could not be trusted with weapons.  Thankfully, as Yenne illustrates, smarter heads prevailed and the Japanese Americans were allowed to join the Army (the Navy, Marines, and Army Air Forces still refused to allow them to serve).

Yenne does a phenomenal job of telling a great story based upon interviews and written accounts of the participants.  Although not footnoted, he quotes many of the sources directly into the text.

Yenne successfully explains the actions of the 442nd RCT and those who served in military intelligence in the Pacific.  Although the story of the men who served in the 442 RCT takes a majority of the pages because most Japanese Americans who served fought in that unit, Yenne describes how the military intelligence men saved thousands of lives with their analytical skills.

The details on the actions of the 442nd RCT are superb.  Yenne explains the actions of the individuals and their units in their fight against the Germans in Italy and France.  The best chapter highlights the heroism and sacrifices of one of the battalions in its efforts to save a battalion that was surrounded by the Germans.  As a result of their actions, the 442nd RCT battalion won a Presidential Unit Citation and three of their members were awarded Medals of Honor.  In fact, the 442nd RCT, for its size and length of service, was the most decorated in the history of the U.S. Army – more than 21 Medals of Honor were awarded and 9, 486 Purple Hearts were awarded, and the unit was awarded eight Presidential Unit Citations.

After reading this book, I think you will have a new respect for the Japanese Americans who fought for this country when it imprisoned many of their families and friends.

By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0