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Rating: 
Summary: ON THE WATER
Review: This book is a must read for those interested in World War 11 history. It is a true story as told by M.Sgt.Ore J. Marion, USMC, of the retaking of Guadalcanal from the Japanese, a pivotal battle. Beyond that all Americans should read it because it clearly relates the horror of war."On the Canal" is a day-to-day accounting of a company of Marines who were deserted by the Navy after being dropped off on this jungle island on August 7, 1942. They were left without reinforcements, ammunition, medical supples, clothing and most of all food. After they exhausted their food supply, they existed on rice filled with maggots. By late September their clothes were rags, they all suffered from malaria or diarrhea, and they were physically weakened from lack of food and sleep. The battle stories in the newspapers never mentioned the conditions the Marines existed under. Marion tells about the bonding between the Marines and how they knew each other so well that they instinctively knew every other man's moves whether on patrol or in battle. They knew very well that their lives depended upon each other and they all suffered from the terrible loss of comrades in batle. They were also at times subjected to the actions or lack of action of an imcompetent officer whose decisions could lead to deadly consequences. In spite of all this their morale remained high and they never lost their determination to succeed. And succeed they did four months later. We read and hear daily about our troop in Afghanistan and Iraq but we know little about their daily life. Hopefully there has been improvements over the last 62 years but as the Marines on Guadalcanal quickly discovered, in war, the best laid plans can quickly go awry.
Rating: 
Summary: Get the real story
Review: Unlike other books I've read on the Guadalcanal campaign, this book is unique in that it covers the battle from the perspective of the individual marines who fought and died in their "spider-holes." Like Ambrose's BAND OF BROTHERS, the stories help one understand how battle and war forge unbreakable life-long bonds of friendship amongst soldiers on the company, platoon and squad levels. Fought in the most primitive of circumstances, with little food, ammo, or basic necessities, these marines made a stand that turned out to be a critical turning point in the War in the Pacific. Marion recounts the fierce fighting that took place, as well as the more mundane and humorous aspects of life as a common marine trying to survive this hell-hole. It's filled with the usual grousing about rear echelon officers and navy brass that give it an authentic feel.
Rating:
Summary: Get the real story
Review: Unlike other books I've read on the Guadalcanal campaign, this book is unique in that it covers the battle from the perspective of the individual marines who fought and died in their "spider-holes." Like Ambrose's BAND OF BROTHERS, the stories help one understand how battle and war forge unbreakable life-long bonds of friendship amongst soldiers on the company, platoon and squad levels. Fought in the most primitive of circumstances, with little food, ammo, or basic necessities, these marines made a stand that turned out to be a critical turning point in the War in the Pacific. Marion recounts the fierce fighting that took place, as well as the more mundane and humorous aspects of life as a common marine trying to survive this hell-hole. It's filled with the usual grousing about rear echelon officers and navy brass that give it an authentic feel.
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