Alexander Colonel Joseph (45 results)

Paperback. Condition: Good. On November 20, 1943, in the first trial by fire of America's fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, five thousand men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the three hundred-acre Pentagon parking lots. Before the first day ended, one-third of the marines who had crossed Tarawa's 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, never-before-published 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.…

Soft cover. Condition: As New. No Jacket. 1st Edition. 64 pages. oversize, photos, maps. Like new in pictorial soft covers.

trade paperback. Condition: near fine. NOT an ex library book. 52 pages.

Condition: New.

Condition: New.

Paperback. Condition: New. On November 20, l943, in the first trial by fire of America's fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, five thousand men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the Pentagon parking lots (three-hundred acres!). Before the first day ended, one third of the Marines who had crossed Tarawa's 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. The bloody conquest of Tarawa by the newly created Central Pacific Force provided the first trial by fire of America's fledgling doctrine of forcible amphibious assault against a heavily fortified objective.Described by one veteran as"a time of utmost savagery," the incredibly violent battle raged for three days and left 6,000 men dead in an area no bigger than the Pentagon and its parking lots. Utmost Savagery is the definitive account of Tarawa and reflects years of research into primary sources, tidal records, new translations of Japanese documents, and interviews with survivors. A Marine combat veteran himself, Col. Alexander presents a masterful narrative of the tactics, innovations, leadership, and weapons employed by both antagonists. The book portrays the battle's full flavor: the decisions, miscalculations, extreme risks, lost opportunities, breakthroughs, blunders, and vital lessons learned. Alexander describes the landing plan and its assumptions, analyzes the freakish"tide that failed," and follows the amphibious ship-to-shore assault as it encounters the exposed reef and hellish Japanese fire. He renders a professional salute to Japanese Admiral Keiji Shibasaki and his well-trained Special Naval Landing Forces who defended Tarawa virtually to the last man. Above all he highlights the courage and adaptability of the Marine small-unit leaders who kept the assault moving throughout 76 hours of unmitigated horror.…

Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. Flat with a tight binding, sharp edges and corners, no markings.

Wraps. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket as Issued. 1st Printing.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

preloaded_digital_audio_player. Condition: Good. RELIABLE AND TESTED PLAYAWAY PRLOADED WITH YOUR AUDIO BOOK. This PLAYAWAY EDITION comes with new earbuds and battery but DOES NOT INCLUDE A PRINTED INSERT. PLAYAWAY IS EASY TO USE! Just plug in the earphones, press the power button ON and begin to listen and enjoy. So convenient. Light weight with a powerful purpose. Take along on your next journey! Makes a sensitive get well gift! Enjoy the convenience and versatility of an ALL IN ONE PLAYAWAY EDITION for your intellectual, travel and leisure needs.…

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Marine combat veteran and award-winning military historian Joseph Alexander takes a fresh look at one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War. His gripping narrative, first published in 1995, has won him many prizes, with critics lauding his use of Japanese documents and his interpretation of the significance of what happened. The first trial by fire of America's fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, the violent three-day attack on Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress of barely three hundred acres, left six thousand men dead. This book offers an authoritative account of the tactics, innovations, leadership, and weapons employed by both antagonists. Alexander convincingly argues that without the vital lessons of Tarawa the larger amphibious victories to come at Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa might not have been possible. On November 20, l943, in the first trial by fire of America's fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, five thousand men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the Pentagon parking lots (three-hundred acres!). Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…

Hard cover. Condition: New in new dust jacket. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 216 p. Audience: General/trade.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Contains black & white illustrations. Seller Ref: M22011.

Condition: As New. Like New condition. Marines in the Korean War Commemorative Series. (Korean War History, marine Corps, Seoul) A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects.

Condition: Very Good. UNUSED, still in wrap. Content is fine.

Condition: Very Good. The books cover is in very good condition with ware such as a small dent and scratches, otherwise the content is in like new condition.

Softcover. Condition: Fine. First edition. Quarto. 52pp. Stapled wrappers. Fine. Published on the fiftieth anniversary of World War II.

Condition: Fine.

Condition: New. In English.

Paperback. Condition: New. On November 20, l943, in the first trial by fire of America's fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, five thousand men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the Pentagon parking lots (three-hundred acres!). Before the first day ended, one third of the Marines who had crossed Tarawa's 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. The bloody conquest of Tarawa by the newly created Central Pacific Force provided the first trial by fire of America's fledgling doctrine of forcible amphibious assault against a heavily fortified objective.Described by one veteran as"a time of utmost savagery," the incredibly violent battle raged for three days and left 6,000 men dead in an area no bigger than the Pentagon and its parking lots. Utmost Savagery is the definitive account of Tarawa and reflects years of research into primary sources, tidal records, new translations of Japanese documents, and interviews with survivors. A Marine combat veteran himself, Col. Alexander presents a masterful narrative of the tactics, innovations, leadership, and weapons employed by both antagonists. The book portrays the battle's full flavor: the decisions, miscalculations, extreme risks, lost opportunities, breakthroughs, blunders, and vital lessons learned. Alexander describes the landing plan and its assumptions, analyzes the freakish"tide that failed," and follows the amphibious ship-to-shore assault as it encounters the exposed reef and hellish Japanese fire. He renders a professional salute to Japanese Admiral Keiji Shibasaki and his well-trained Special Naval Landing Forces who defended Tarawa virtually to the last man. Above all he highlights the courage and adaptability of the Marine small-unit leaders who kept the assault moving throughout 76 hours of unmitigated horror.…

Condition: New.

Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.

4to Softcover. Condition: Very Good. 60p. Pages are unmarked with numerous b/w photos. Blue and white wraps are glossy with minor shelf wear. Binding is tight with securely attached hinges.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In August 1943, to meet in secret with Major General Julian C. Smith and his principal staff officers of the 2d Marine Division, Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commanding the Central Pacific Force, flew to New Zealand from Pearl Harbor. Spruance told the Marines to prepare for an amphibious assault against Japanese positions in the Gilbert Islands in November. The Marines knew about the Gilberts. The 2d Raider Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson had attacked Makin Atoll a year earlier. Subsequent intelligence reports warned that the Japanese had fortified Betio Island in Tarawa Atoll, where elite forces guarded a new bomber strip. Spruance said Betio would be the prime target for the 2d Marine Division. General Smith's operations officer, Lieutenant Colonel David M. Shoup, studied the primitive chart of Betio and saw that the tiny island was surrounded by a barrier reef. Shoup asked Spruance if any of the Navy's experimental, shallow-draft, plastic boats could be provided. "Not available," replied the admiral, "expect only the usual wooden landing craft." Shoup frowned. General Smith could sense that Shoup's gifted mind was already formulating a plan. The results of that plan were momentous. The Tarawa operation became a tactical watershed: the first, large-scale test of American amphibious doctrine against a strongly fortified beachhead. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…

Condition: New. Print on Demand.

1st edition stiff wrappers Fine Quarto 64pp., b/w pls., text ills., maps, sources, 50 Year Commemorative series. Well-produced series devoted to the US Marine Corps in Korea.

Condition: New. Print on Demand.

Condition: New. Print on Demand.

Condition: New. Print on Demand.