Utmost Savagery, ColonelJoseph H. Alexander, United States Marine Corps Ret.
Utmost Savagery, ColonelJoseph H. Alexander, United States Marine Corps Ret.
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Utmost Savagery
The Three Days of Tarawa

Author: ColonelJoseph H. Alexander, United States Marine Corps (Ret.)

Narrator: Tom Weiner

Unabridged: 8 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/29/2010

Synopsis

On November 20, 1943, in the first trial by fire of Americas fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, five thousand men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the three hundredacre Pentagon parking lots. Before the first day ended, onethird of the marines who had crossed Tarawas deadly reef under murderous fire were killed, wounded, or missing. In three days of fighting, four Americans would win the Medal of Honor and six thousand combatants would die. Now, Colonel Joseph Alexander, a combat marine himself, presents the full story of Tarawa in all its horror and glory: the extreme risks, the horrific combat, and the heroic breakthroughs. Based on exhaustive research, neverbeforepublished accounts from marine survivors, and new evidence from Japanese sources, Colonel Alexander captures the grit, guts, and relentless courage of United States Marines overcoming outrageous odds to deliver victory for their country.

Reviews

Goodreads review by 'Aussie Rick' on June 13, 2009

This is an excellent book of the fighting at Tarawa in WW2. The author has done a great job in presenting the story, it was so well told that I found it hard to put the book down. Ever since I was a kid I have had a fascination for the USMC and after reading this book I remember why. What guts! The......more

Goodreads review by Joe on June 30, 2021

This is a good general discussion of the battle of Tarawa. Nothing to fancy but it gets the job done.......more

Goodreads review by Wachlin007 on February 23, 2008

This book tells the story of the battle of Tarawa. It was a very bloody battle. Many historians argue that this battle did not need to be fought, or that it should have been fought at a later time. This book shows the pros and cons of all sides on this issue, as well as telling of the heroics of the......more

Goodreads review by Bill on August 31, 2021

Tarawa was the first amphibious assault on a fortified position in World War II and was the test battle for the Marines amphibious doctrine. While Guadalcanal was the first offensive action the landings were away from the Japanese forces whereas at Tarawa (Betio Island) the Marines landed right into......more

Goodreads review by BT on November 16, 2024

Colonel Alexander does his utmost to make a superbly researched and thorough account of the USMC’s conquering of Tarawa Atoll and the greater Gilbert Islands chain during late 1943. This is even more so impressive given Colonel Alexander was of the Cold War era and did not even fight in WWII. Great......more

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