NEPTUNE'S INFERNO
is now available in paperback.
Happily, the book was chosen as a
"Best of 2011" by Military History Quarterly.
Details
click
HERE!
Posted 2 March 2012
|
NEPTUNE'S INFERNO
is now available in paperback.
|
NEPTUNE'S INFERNO
by James Hornfischer
Posted 19 December 2010
|
My newbook,
I'm pleased to report that
I'm very grateful for the hundreds and
|
to the
gallantry and sacrifice put forth by the fighting fleet in the southern
Solomons in 1942.
I will add that, of my three books, I'm proudest of this one. I don't think
I could have attempted to produce a full campaign history of an operation of
the scale of Guadalcanal without first cutting my teeth on a concentrated
battle narrative (LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS) and a full wartime
shipıs history (SHIP OF GHOSTS). It was a challenge to capture the sprawling
events in NEPTUNE with the same narrative energy, and cover the important
work of the many destroyers, cruisers and battleships and their men as they
plunged into action. But after four years of work on the book, I believe I
managed it.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts. |
Long time coming. CL-50 is the hero of the book!
Advance Praise for Neptune's Inferno
by James D. Hornfischer.
Hornfischer understands the human dynamics of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific
war as well as any student of the subjects. He reconstructs the fighting in
a masterful synthesis of technical analysis, operational narrative, and
tales of courage. Publishers Weekly
As in his first two books, the author's narrative gifts and excellent
choice of detail give an almost Homeric quality to the men who met on the
sea in steel titans. Book list (starred review)
With the publication of Neptune's Inferno, a masterpiece of 20th century
naval history, it's time to declare James Hornfischer a national treasure, a
member of the distinguished band of brothers Stephen Ambrose, Shelby Foote,
Ken Burns, Spielberg and Hanks whose sacred mission has been vital to
Americaıs journey, preserving the stories of our fathers and grandfathers
for future generations, before those stories fade forever out of our
consciousness into the shadows of time. Bob Shacochis, National Book Award
winner, author of The Immaculate Invasion
Hornfischer has produced an account that is visceral, yet technical;
sweeping, yet personal. Itıs a terrific read, and an important new addition
to the literature on this most important naval campaign in the Pacific.
Jonathan Parshall, coauthor of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the
Battle of Midway
Neptune's Inferno is a superb portrait of the U.S. Navy's critical role in
the Guadalcanal campaign, both the surface and aerial combat. Comprehensive
with much that is new, yet immensely readable, it covers not only the
admirals, but the junior officers and bluejackets as well. Highly
recommended. John B. Lundstrom, author of The First Team
Hornfischer's accounts of naval combat in the Pacific are simply the best
in the business. Ian W. Toll, author of Six Frigates: The Epic History of
the Founding of the U.S. Navy
With this grand, sweeping, history-correcting book, James Hornfischer takes
his place among the elite historians of the United States war in the Pacific
during World War II. Like a Curtiss Helldiver, Neptune's Inferno catapults
the reader high into the skies for a clear perspective on the vast oceanic
conflict, then dives relentlessly to propel us right into the smoke and fire
and human valor of the brutal inferno known as Guadalcanal. Along the way,
and drawing on newly available papers, Hornfischer clears up lingering
misconceptions about this battle, including the full extent of the U.S.
Navyıs role in victory. And in his character portraits of the brilliant,
quirky top admirals and generals of the fractious Army-Navy command,
Hornfischer offers a worthy counterpart to Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of
Rivals. Ron Powers, coauthor of Flags of Our Fathers
