Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942
By: Ian W. Toll
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Series: The Pacific War Trilogy, Book 1
Length: 22 hrs and 6 mins

After completing the American European War Trilogy I wanted to complete its counterpoint. The Pacific war while similar in that it is a war against an aggressor is very unlike the war in Europe. From Japan’s first strike upon the United States at Pearl Harbor to halting their advance at Guadalcanal the view of the conquering samurai rises to legendary proportions only to fall to that of the common man. After their attack at pearl harbor, in the course of about 8 months, Japan’s territory grows to its greatest extent. Several significant sea battles, Coral Sea and Midway blunt its ability to continue its growth. Finally at Guadalcanal, the growth stops. By no means is it certain in the eyes of the combatants at this time, but after 8 months of aggressive expansion, Japan has lost the logistic initiative of the war and will never regain it.