World War II Database

War in the Pacific is a primer to the Pacific War. Taken at face value, it is just a pretty book with information that lacked depth and with few photographs that are not already commonly seen. What sets this book apart from others, however, is the collection of reproduced documents, maps, and others items of interest that aimed to provide almost a hands-on experience of the war to the readers, rather than just narrating. Some of the reproduced items included the "AIRRAID ON PEARLHARBOR X THIS IS NO DRILL" telegram, radio message log of the US Marines at Tarawa noting "We need help - situation bad", a copy of the "Yank" magazine, USS Enterprise's tracking chart, and a number of pages from the "Pocket Guide to Australia". Being a fan of General Douglas MacAthur, I especially enjoyed the inclusion of a letter from the General to his wife. Inside the back cover pocket, a copy of the 6th War Loan color poster may one day find its way on the way of my study. In terms of information, this book really does not contain much new knowledge that most students of the Pacific War probably already possess. However, the reproductions of the various historical records makes flipping through book an uniquely fun experience, and makes the book a fine conversation piece for the living room coffee table.

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