Asian Armageddon, 1944-45

War in the Far East Series, Book 3

De: Peter Harmsen

Narrado por: Walter Dixon

The last installment of the War in the Far East trilogy, Asian Armageddon 1944-1945, continues and completes the narrative of the first two volumes, describing how a US-led coalition of nations battled Japan into submission through a series of cataclysmic encounters. Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle ever, was testimony to the paramount importance of controlling the ocean, as was the fact that the US Navy carried out the only successful submarine campaign in history, reducing Japan's military and merchant navies to shadows of the former selves. Meanwhile, fighting continued in disparate geographic conditions on land, with the chaos of Imphal, the inferno of Manila, and the carnage of Iwo Jima forming some of the milestones on the bloody road to peace, sealed in Tokyo Bay in September 1945. It was a world where the stage was set for the Cold War and for international rivalries that last to this day, and a new constellation of powers emerged.

War in the Far East is a trilogy of books comprising a general history of World War II in the Asia Pacific. Unlike other histories on the conflict it goes into its deep origins, beginning long before Pearl Harbor, and encompasses a far wider group of actors to produce the most complete account yet written on the subject and the first truly international treatment of this epic conflict.

©2021 Peter Harmsen (P)2021 Tantor

Good series

Very approachable and easy listen. The china and Soviet aspects were somewhat new for me. After the first one I had to get the other two. Equally as good.

Methodical yet interesting

While , I didn’t really learn a lot of new things from this book, the reader did an impressive job of performing it.
Japanese names were impeccably pronounced. Lots of insights from civilians, soldiers, sailors, the Emperor of Japan and American military brass, along with the common sailor, marine and soldier.
A very well done book.

story

exciting tale we'll told readally umnderstoodclrar naration all in all a great and informative fale including many little known

A Lightweight Intro to the PTO/CBI

Harmsen's conclusion to his general history of the Pacific War doesn't elevate the series but it's in line with the 2 previous books; he makes sure to tell you what's going on on the mainland of Asia, some tidbits of occupied Japanese territory, China, Burma, etc. along with the expected set pieces that dominate heavier, lengthier editions of general histories of this patch of the war. I like his style and he never lingers long nor does he stop to apportion blame heavy handed or point fingers.

If you are entirely new to the Pacific his trilogy is a perfect, easy introduction to the sprawling nature of the battlefields here, with the military and political personalities sketched out but not doted on overly long. Along the way are some anecdotes I've not heard before, giving it the flavor it needs to stand out a bit from the crowd.

Disappointing

poor narration. not as enjoyable or as well written as first volume in trilogy. seemed to lack in depth support for many points.