The Ghost Mountain Boys

Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea

By: James Campbell

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Lying due north of Australia, New Guinea is among the world's largest islands. In 1942, when World War II exploded onto its shores, it was an inhospitable, cursorily mapped, disease-ridden land of dense jungle, towering mountain peaks, deep valleys, and fetid swamps. Coveted by the Japanese for its strategic position, New Guinea became the site of one of the South Pacific's most savage campaigns. Despite their lack of jungle training, the 32nd Division's Ghost Mountain Boys were assigned the most grueling mission of the entire Pacific campaign: to march 130 miles over rugged mountains and to protect the right flank of the Australian army as they fought to push the Japanese back to the village of Buna.

The 32nd Division lacked more than training. They were without even the basics necessary for survival. They waded through brush and vines without the aid of machetes. They did not have insect repellent. Without waterproof containers, their matches were useless, and the quinine and vitamin pills they carried, as well as salt and chlorination tablets, crumbled in their pockets. Exhausted and pushed to the brink of human endurance, the Ghost Mountain Boys fell victim to malnutrition and disease. Forty-two days after they set out, they arrived two miles south of Buna, nearly shattered by the experience.

Arrival in Buna provided no respite. The 32nd Division was ordered to launch an immediate assault on the Japanese position. After two months of furious, sometimes hand-to-hand combat, the decimated division finally achieved victory.

Reminiscent of classics like Band of Brothers and The Things They Carried, this harrowing portrait of a largely overlooked campaign is part war diary, part extreme adventure tale, and, through letters, journals, and interviews, part biography of a group of men who fought to survive in an environment every bit as fierce as the enemy they faced.

©2007 James Campbell (P)2007 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Riveting.... The Ghost Mountain Boys offers a new, harrowing world to explore." ( Richmond Times-Dispatch)
"Superb.... The Ghost Mountain Boys is carefully organized, researched and written with great sensitivity and understanding." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

Great book

One of my great uncles was in new guinea. I did not realize how bad he had. It never really spoke much of it only answered questions and asked now I understand why.

The story my Father-in-law never told.

This is a good book. I have enjoyed it very much as it is the story of part of my father-in-law's story which he would never talk about. Now I know why.

Narration is disappointing.

Would you try another book from James Campbell and/or Stephen Hoye?

I think this is an accurate account of the New Guinea campaign. I don't know for sure because I found the narration so sing-songish and cloying that I just could not finish the "listen." Too bad. If you have an alternative suggestion, please send it. I will give that one a try.

What other book might you compare The Ghost Mountain Boys to and why?

Just about any other book on the New Guinea Campaign.

What didn’t you like about Stephen Hoye’s performance?

Overly sweet, cloying.

Did The Ghost Mountain Boys inspire you to do anything?

Find a suitable alternative "listen."

Any additional comments?

A different narrator is likely to do this book justice.

Powerful

I have a whole new disrespect for General McArthur and some members of the Pacific Cmmand structure during this time. This book outlines the lack of intelligence, lack of forethought, and lack of planning my top level leadership. I also have a higher level of respect for our military vets. This book unearthed some very disturbing facts that I was not previously aware of. Well written, and narration was top notch. Slow start, but stick with it.

The details

Extremely detailed description of the battle for New Guinea during WWII. Uses letters to tell of feelings and thoughts of servicemen.

Hard Times

James Campbell has done a great service to all Americans by retelling the story of the Army's Infantry campaign in New Guinea. The breath taking experiences of US troups in that arena and their suffering is well told. He adds to this the Japanese experience in a similar fashion which makes the book a fitting tribute to all who participated. This is a well written and well read book that will keep the interest of everyone encountering it. It will inform and inspire those who are knowledgable and those who are novices to the topic as well. Those were hard times.

Truth in the Pacific

Incredible book about the fighting, suffering, and heroics of soldiers. An author that walked on their footsteps is a measure of heroics in itself.

An Exciting Listen!

This was a well-researched, well-written, and well-read account of a little-known theater in World War II. The exploits performed by the 31st Infantry Division in the tropical nightmare battleground of New Guinea while dealing with the poor and aloof leadership from General MacArthur and his Staff were beyond remarkable. It was a thrilling listen with all of the emotions accompanying a classic war account that anyone can feel and enjoy. Highly recommended!

Filled with Valor

this book on the Ghost Mountain Boys 32nd Infantry Division 126th regiment is a very heroic story. with the Pacific War, you rarely hear about campaign on New Guinea and this book does an amazing amount of Justice to all the brave souls Australian and American Home fought with valorous dignity and Triumph over the Empire of Japan! The hike them men took over the Owen Stanley Mountain Range and back down to the battle of Buna in tropical humidity and gore is astounding! Read this book!

Brilliantly researched, well written, unbiased,

Honest, raw, better than anything I have read so far history can be contradictory here the facts are laid bare.
At the site same time it is so well written you feel you are there and characters come to life. a must read for anyone who wants a true picture of the Pacific war.