Rating: 
Summary: The greatest generations greatest.
Review: Although twenty four years of age I have a deep respect and admiration for soldiers of the second world war, but my respect for the US Marine is unsurpassed. In Leckie's book you will read easily the most enjoyable and heartbreaking overview of the titanic struggle between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Enjoyable because it is well written, flows beautifully, and honestly reads like an action thriller. (Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima were the best accounts in this book)But also heartbreaking because one has to realize that WWII was a war against good versus evil, nothing more. Liberals may hate me for that but the truth hurts sometimes. And the godawfull truth of WWII is that a lot of brave men had to die agonizing deaths or receive crippling injuries to insure that the evil in the world was vanquished. The Marines were the best of the best, then as well as now. Through superior technology, tactics, and an indomitable spirit the US Marine defeated the once feared Japanese Samurai. Let us be thankfull that Japan is an ally of the US now, and that (God willing) we will never have to fight each other again. I did not find this book to be overly critical of the Japanese, and although some will balk at the use of the slur "Japs" lets remember that Leckie was a Marine in the big one, he fought for his country and was injured on the line. Meaning he probably saw some of his best friends blown to bits by Japanese artillery or cut down by machine gun and rifle fire. Old hatreds die hard, and in "Strong men armed" you'll never read a more moving tribute to the greatest of the greatest generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to Leckie's usual best
Review: Having read some of Leckie's books in the past, I was looking forward to taking on this one. In the end it was a complete let down. I felt that many of the author's interpretations were biased by having been a Marine and a participant in many of the events covered in the book. He's quick to lavish praise on any Marine yet seems unable to complement any other service (particularly the Army). Likewise, the Japanese were always being put down. Their generals were inferior, their tactics were inferior, they were incapable of sound judgement, the Marine Corps's the best, etc. Granted, the United States won the war, but Japan was a fierce and capable foe, not a bunch of bumbling idiots. Along the same lines, he continualy refered to the Japanese as "Japs." Were he simply quoting some Marine that would be acceptible, however he used the word through out the text simply as a label for anything Japanese. In the end, I felt that I was getting anything but a balanced, scholarly interpretation of the war in the Pacific, it was more like reading a Marine Corps recruitment pamphlet. If you want to read something really good by this author, try "George Washington's War."
Rating:
Summary: Greatest Generation Speaking
Review: I read this book over 20 years ago; remembering the title is endorsement enough of its impact. This is a well written story and history of the truth and grusomeness of all out war written from inside the crater that served as a foxhole. A "should read" for everyone of us that is accustomed to the sanitary wars of our modern era.
Rating:
Summary: Takes you there
Review: If you want a book that takes you down to the grunt level in the Pacific war, this is it. Most of the fighting in the Pacific was the Navy and the Marines. And the Marines were the ones that stormed ashore against withering fire and then won, inch by inch and island by island.
And it does an excellent job of putting you right there. In the innumerable firefights on Guadacanal and the vicious jungle of New Brittan and the combat hell of islands like Tarawa.
And when you are done you realize what incredible soldiers these men were.
Rating: 
Summary: The Master of American Wars
Review: Robert Leckie is the best author I have ever seen detailing the wars in U.S. History. This book is another great story detailing the Marines struggle against the Empire of Japan. Because Mr. Leckie was a participant, this offering provides greater detail of the battles than most of his books. He really gives good descriptions of the people and places where the battles were fought and the courage of the Marines and Japanese as they were locked in a life or death struggle. This is an excellent book on the ground war in the Pacific.
Rating:
Summary: A must read. A tribute to our Marines!
Review: Robert Leckie's vivid account of WWll Marine Corps history is a must read for any military enthusiast. Reading this gripping tale of Leathernecks fighting their way through the steamy jungles of the far east isles with such distant names as; Guadacanal, Saipan, and Iwo Jima, will leave you with an unequvical respect for the valient men who sacrificed their lives for our country. As a former Marine I have a greater appreciation for the price that was paid in the Pacific Theater. This book will never let me forget the cost in blood and lives my beloved countrymen paid, so that we may have our freedom. Leckie's book memorializes our fighting Marines: Men like, Manila John Bastilone, Chesty Puller, Red Mike Edson, and countless others who,"went above and beyond the call of duty", for the love of our country, God, and Corps. STRONG MEN ARMED, should be read by every boot, NCO, and Commissioned Officer of the United States Marine Corps as a reminder of the heroic and gallant sacrifice our Marines paid for our way of life. May the Marine Corps live forever! Semper Fidelis, Roger Lemus (Cpl.USMC)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent detail
Review: The author himself fought as a Marine and firsthand accounts plus research on battles he missed made this book as real as it gets. Finish it and give the Marines a hard salute for the work they have done and with swift results. If only it comes with more photos but you can get other books to complement it such as This Is Guadacanal
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF HIS BEST
Review: This is a must read for any student or interested person if reference to WWII and the Pacific Campaign. The author is actually rather inspirational, wonderful descriptions, excellent syntax keep you turning the pages. This work gives wonderful insight to the USMC and the entire Pacific Campaign. I highly recommend the read and very much suggest you add this one to your collection. Thank you Mr. Leckie.
Rating:
Summary: Semper Fi!
Review: This is the definitive book about the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War. Leckie vividly tells their stories in a clear, personal style that brings their honor and courage alive for those of us fortunate enough to live in the world they saved. As the daughter of a Korean War Marine and the great-niece of a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima, I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone interested in the Marines and their contribution in World War Two.
Rating:
Summary: HE DID IT AGAIN!
Review: Those of you who are unfamiliar with Mr Leckie have been missing out. He is one of the premier military historians, not only because of his excellent writing style, but because he is a combat veteran and can therefore associate with his subject. He has written wonderful general histories of all of America's wars, including the best WWII summary, Delivered from Evil. But this book stands tall among all of his other writings because this one was personal. Leckie is a veteran of many bloody battles with the first Marine division in WWII and therefore knows quite well what he is talking about. Here he takes you on a sweeping journey, as the marines battle the japs across the Pacific. His writing is awesome! He always keeps you on the hook, and as you speed through his very short chapters, you find it hard to find a place to stop. This is a very easy read, including well drawn maps, that will give you a good overall history of the Pacific campaign and still show you the war from the individuals perspective on every page. One of the classics of Pacific WWII literature!!!
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