John C. McManus - 30 July

Praise for Fire and Fortitude

This eloquent and powerful narrative is military history written the way it should be. John C. McManus has seamlessly blended the strategic and tactical story with deep analysis of the political context and social composition of armies that embodied the cultures of the nations from which they were formed. During the two years covered by this book, American forces in the Pacific theater transitioned from fighting on a shoestring defensive to the beginning of mighty offensives that would prove irreversible.

James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Battle Cry of Freedom

From the burning waters of Pearl Harbor to the sweltering jungles of Guadalcanal and the icy shores of Alaskas Aleutian Islands, Fire and Fortitude is a heart-pounding journey through the tragedies and the triumphs of the Pacific. Historian John C. McManus, armed with an incredible eye for detail and the deft touch of a novelist, has crafted one of the finest epics of World War II.

James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Target Tokyo and Rampage

A very fine account of war in the Pacific founded on wide research and excellent judgment.

Antony Beevor, New York Times bestselling author of D-Day: The Battle for Normandy and Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge

John McManus, one of Americas great historians, has written a masterpiece. From the red light district in Honolulu just hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor to the nearly forgotten assault on fiercely defended Makin Island, Fire and Fortitude is a long-overdue saga of the US Armys punishing fight in the Pacific. McManus brilliantly transports the reader back in time, offering new information and dazzling analysis in this groundbreaking narrative.

Patrick K. ODonnell, author of The Unknowns: The Untold Story of Americas Unknown Soldier and WWIs Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home

In this compelling narrative, John McManus does for the US Army in the Pacific what Rick Atkinson did for the Army in Europe: chronicle its growth and transformation from a small, insular, pre-war constabulary into an enormous and efficient fighting machine. In the process he deftly profiles the leaders and captures all of the human drama of the Pacific War.

Craig L. Symonds, Lincoln Prizewinning author of World War II at Sea

Army ground troops constituted by far the largest element of American military forces arrayed against Japan in the Pacific War, yet their efforts have been overshadowed in the popular American memory by the achievements of the Marines and the Navy. John C. McManuss exhaustively researched and highly readable book goes far to redress the balance. In many ways his treatment of the Army in the war against Japan may well be compared to Rick Atkinsons work on the Army in the European theater.

Ronald Spector, author of Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan

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Copyright 2019 by John C. McManus

Maps 2019 by Rick Britton

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: McManus, John C., 1965 author.

Title: Fire and fortitude: the US Army in the Pacific War, 19411943 / John C. McManus.

Other titles: US Army in the Pacific War, 19411943

Description: First edition. | New York, New York: Dutton Caliber, an imprint

of Penguin Random House LLC, [2019] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018037343| ISBN 9780451475046 (hardcover) |

ISBN 9780698192768 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: World War, 1939-1945CampaignsPacific Area. | United States.

ArmyHistoryWorld War, 19391945.

Classification: LCC D767 .M36 2019 | DDC 940.54/26dc23 LC record available at

https://lccn.loc.gov/2018037343

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

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To Nancy, with all my love.

To my incredible parents, Michael and Mary Jane McManus, and to Ruth and Nelson, who have treated me as their son.