76 Hours, Larry Alexander
76 Hours, Larry Alexander
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
Club: $11.47

76 Hours
A Novel of Tarawa

Author: Larry Alexander

Narrator: John Pirhalla, Brian Nishii

Unabridged: 9 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/14/2023

Synopsis

The gripping historical novel of the invasion of Tarawa by US Marines in World War II, from bestselling author, journalist, and historian Larry Alexander.The island of Tarawa, a tiny spit of sand out in the middle of the Pacific, teemed with five hundred pillboxes filled with artillery pieces and highly motivated Japanese soldiers. Their commanding officer encouraged his troops, saying, “It would take one million men one hundred years” to conquer Tarawa. They were convinced that the Americans would be slaughtered before they ever got ashore.Private Pete “Hardball” Talbot was one of the US Marines tasked with taking the island. A cocky, tough street kid from Philadelphia, Pete joined up to escape his abusive father. In his mind, nothing the Japanese could throw at him could be as bad as what his father dished out. He was angry, and more than willing to take it out on the enemy. But once he climbed over the side and into the landing craft, and once the Japanese artillery and machine guns opened up in defense of the island, Pete knew this was going to be different. It would take all his training, and all his street smarts to stay alive while those around him got blown to bits.Despite Japanese predictions, it took the United States Marines seventy-six hours to take Tarawa. It was a walk in the park … if the park were in the middle of hell itself.

About Larry Alexander

Larry Alexander has been a columnist for the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc., a newspaper in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, since 1993. He retired from the paper in 2015. While with Lancaster Newspapers, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 and has won state-level journalism awards. His first book, Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers, was published in 2005 and made the New York Times bestseller list. He followed up his first success with Shadows in the Jungle: The Alamo Scouts Behind Japanese Lines in World War II and In the Footsteps of the Band of Brothers: A Return to Easy Company’s Battlefields with Sergeant Forrest Guth, both published in 2010. He then coauthored A Higher Call with journalist and historian Adam Makos, which also made the New York Times and international bestsellers lists, and Bloody Ridge and Beyond with Marlin Groft.

About John Pirhalla

John Pirhalla is award-winning audiobook narrator who has recorded over 300 titles. An Audie and Independent Audiobook Awards finalist, he has won a Reader's Favorite Award, an Adrenaline Award, a OneVoice Award, and an Indie Ink Award. Whether it's science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, or thrillers, he enjoys narrating books with lots of characters, voices, and accents.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Briana on February 25, 2023

This WW2 Novel describes in gruesome, intricate detail the 76 hour battle of Tarawa between Japanese and American forces. From the start I connected with the characters (both Japanese and American) and I wanted to see their journeys through to the final words. The characterization is so well done. As......more

Goodreads review by Bob on July 21, 2023

corny but entertaining The combat passages were excellent. Detailed descriptions of what it may have been like on Tarawa. The home front stuff read something like a sixth grade Hardy boys book. I did enjoy the book, but it’s not great literature.......more

Goodreads review by Joanne on January 12, 2023

Thank you to @NetGalley for the ARC in response to an honest review. 76 hours is a book that can be described in one word. Outstanding. The novel covers the battle for Tarawa during WW2, The battle is covered well from both sides and I have to say, the characterisation is superb. Fast paced througho......more

Goodreads review by Ron on October 16, 2022

An outstanding novel of the battle for Tarawa during WW2, looking at the story from the viewpoint of both sides. The story is fast paced and gripping. The characters are well developed and the reader can find themselves drawn into caring about what happens to them. A great read. Thank you to #NetGall......more

Goodreads review by Johniann on January 31, 2024

No character development? I love a WWII book but this one did not do it for me.......more

Quotes

“New York Times bestselling WWII historian Larry Alexander captures the vicious reality of the Battle of Tarawa in his first novel, 76 Hours. Alexander puts the reader on the blood-soaked Pacific island amidst devastating machine-gun fire, desperate Banzai attacks, and brutally effective flamethrowers. His characters and prose are as tough as the marines who took the island against a dug-in foe.” Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire and A Man at Arms

“76 Hours is the take-no-prisoners debut novel by bestselling World War II historian Larry Alexander. The battle for the Pacific island of Tarawa is seen from both a hard-as-nails US Marine with a dark past and a Japanese soldier determined to give his life to the emperor. The story is fast-paced and intense, as if you were on Tarawa with a rifle in your hand. If you want to know what it was like to invade an enemy-held island, read 76 Hours.” Jeff Shaara, New York Times bestselling author

“In 76 Hours, Larry Alexander, the brilliant author and historian who brought us behind the scenes with Major Dick Winters and the famous Band of Brothers, now turns to his gift for storytelling and rich characters to bring the Battle of Tarawa to life like never before. The story you only thought you knew about the marines who survived hell itself to capture the Japanese-held island over 76 hours during World War II is made real and visceral through the eyes of Alexander’s protagonist, Private Pete ‘Hardball’ Talbot, a rich and compelling character that allows the reader to almost feel the shock of the shells raining down, feel the heat, and smell the gunpowder. Rich in accurate history and expertly told, this is the story of the brave marines of Tarawa told expertly in a way that will leave you breathless. Alexander is superb…Well done!”  Andrews & Wilson, internationally bestselling authors of the Tier One, Sons of Valor, and Shepherds series

“76 Hours is a realistic and harrowing portrayal of combat in the Pacific, sure to appeal to hardcore military enthusiasts. Larry Alexander knows his stuff.” Marcus Brotherton, New York Times bestselling author of A Bright and Blinding Sun: A World War II Story of Survival, Love, and Redemption

Awards

  • Barnes & Noble Favorite Indie Book
Add to Cart
Add to Wish List