From the author of Forrest Gump and A Storm in Flanders comes a riveting chronicle of America's most critical hour. On December 6; 1941; an unexpected attack on American territory pulled an unprepared country into a terrifying new brand of warfare. Novelist and popular historian Winston Groom vividly re-creates the story of America's first year in World War II. To the generation of Americans who lived through it; the Second World War was the defining event of the twentieth century; and the defining events of that war were played out in the year 1942.This account covers the Allies' relentless defeats as the Axis overran most of Europe; North Africa; and the Far East. But midyear the tide began to turn. America finally went on the offensive in the Pacific; and in the west the British defeated Rommel's panzer divisions at El Alamein while the U.S. Army began to push the Germans out of North Africa. By the year's end; the smell of victory was in the air. 1942; told with Groom's accomplished storyteller's eye; allows us into the admirals' strategy rooms; onto the battle fronts; and into the heart of a nation at war.
#293114 in Books Johns Hopkins University Press 2010-07-13 2010-07-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .44 x 6.00l; .54 #File Name: 0801896282176 pages
Review
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Easily the best King Philips war book written.By guardian to the gate of foreverThough short; this book has a LOT of background a details that are very interesting and make it a great reading. The maps are excellent and the extremely detailed Bibliography at the end is very helpful as well.He also does small things that make him more fair and less bias. An example is in mentioning how the Puritans sometimes tricked the Indians to get land. In past books it makes it seem like all of the land was acquired in such a way; but; he states; "Many colonist also proved skilled in manipulating their own laws". While this statement may seem not that Important it is worlds above Schultz's book which says "The English were adamant;at least in form; of taking lands legally; but authors like Fancis Jennings state ways the colonists could get land from an unwilling Indian" (quote might not be exactly correct. The Second makes it seem like all English backed taking land illegally; while the Mandell's makes it clear that the English HAD laws against gaining lands by illegal means. Mandell does not leave details like this out which would otherwise make the English appear to be worse than they were.This is a near prefect book on the conflict especially for its size. It doesn't make the Puritans saint (like Vaughan sometimes did) or call them Imperialists (as Jennings did); but takes the facts and states what they tell us about Puritan -Indian relations and the War itself.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Concise Account Thoroughly SatisfiesBy Thomas M. SullivanLong recognizing that my knowledge of Colonial History was; well; let's say; a bit sketchy for the period before the early 1700's; I was casting about for a book on early conflicts and happened upon this little gem.Eschewing biography for brevity; Author Mandell does an absolutely first-rate job of describing what is arguably the least known and understood conflict in our country's early History. The lack of character development in no way detracts from his story-telling. He presents an entirely understandable explanation of the complex social and political relationships between and among the various tribes of the region and explains in some detail that it was the very tenuous nature of these connections which from the first put them at a disadvantage when dealing with the English encroachers. Add to that inherent weakness a total lack of knowledge or skill in negotiating land sales and use agreements and you have (as in virtually all native dealings with whites) the certain formula for disillusionment; occasional revolt and inevitable subjugation.All that being said; the English settlers were essentially unprepared when the Wampanoag chief Metacom (called `King Philip' by the English) launched his rebellion. But unprepared didn't mean unable to rally and thoroughly thrash the insurgents; thus ending the native hegemony in New England and making the way for unbridled immigration; leaving the natives with bitter memories and; to the extent they're any consolation; gambling casinos.Part of the Johns Hopkins University Press `Witness to History' series; `King Philip's War' is emblematic of the publisher's plan to make available thoroughgoing but concise accounts of selected American History topics. The subject work will encourage at least this `buff' to seek out other volumes as they become available.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I enjoyed the book and will probably go back and peruse ...By Richard EllsI enjoyed the book and will probably go back and peruse it again as I do other history readings; The book had good historical detail and attempted to convey the different perspectives and relationships among Plymouth colony; Massachusetts Bay colony; the various Native American tribes (and their relationships with each other); given the rapid process of settlement and development going on in the region. Some of the characterizations felt a little like conventional tropes (such as Native American ideas on ownership of land); but those are prods to me to dig deeper and compare with other sources; my favorite pursuit.
