The Long and the Short and the Tall: Marines in Combat on Guam and Iwo Jima

by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.

Book Overview

In May 1944, the author was an U.S. Marine sergeant and war correspondent with the 3rd Marine Division, leaving Guadalcanal for Guam.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580800807
• ISBN13: 9781580800808
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Burford Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

The Battles for Iwo & Guam Come Alive

Mr. Josephy has written an outstanding account of the battles for Iwo Jima and Guam during WW II. The book was written shortly after the war and has an updated foreword. I learned a lot of facts about the campaigns that I didn't know. I also saw how the cultural prejudice of the time colored his writing and the attitudes of those involved in the conflict. It was a fast, compelling read. Literally, one of those "I can't put it down until I'm done" stories. I have loaned it to friends who said the same thing. Don't miss this one if you are a fan of WW II lore, especially personal accounts.

Commendable Memoir

For an interesting journey through Guam and Iwo Jima from the perspective of a correspondant who wasn't supposed to be in the thick of war, but wound up there all the same, this is a worthy title. Though lacking in the blood and guts impact of other titles like Bradley's "Flags of our Fathers," the writing in this book is simple but commendable, very readable for anyone with a lay interest in the war or for someone with a more astute fascination. This is by no means a remarkabley unique memoir account of the war, but it is one of the better written and appropriate for a lay read I have found. Not meant for research by any means, but suitable for entertainment or the development of familiarity, I would recommend Josephy's work.