Neptune's Inferno

The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal

By: James D. Hornfischer

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

With The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors and Ship of Ghosts, James D. Hornfischer created essential and enduring narratives about America’s World War II Navy, works of unique immediacy distinguished by rich portraits of ordinary men in extremis and exclusive new information. Now he does the same for the deadliest, most pivotal naval campaign of the Pacific war: Guadalcanal.

Neptune’s Inferno is at once the most epic and the most intimate account ever written of the contest for control of the seaways of the Solomon Islands, America’s first concerted offensive against the Imperial Japanese juggernaut and the true turning point of the Pacific conflict. This grim, protracted campaign has long been heralded as a Marine victory. Now, with his powerful portrait of the Navy’s sacrifice - three sailors died at sea for every man lost ashore - Hornfischer tells for the first time the full story of the men who fought in destroyers, cruisers, and battleships in the narrow, deadly waters of “Ironbottom Sound”. Here, in brilliant cinematic detail, are the seven major naval actions that began in August of 1942, a time when the war seemed unwinnable and America fought on a shoestring, with the outcome always in doubt. But at Guadalcanal the US proved it had the implacable will to match the Imperial war machine blow for violent blow.

Working from new interviews with survivors, unpublished eyewitness accounts, and newly available documents, Hornfischer paints a vivid picture of the officers and enlisted men who took on the Japanese in America’s hour of need: Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, who took command of the faltering South Pacific Area from his aloof, overwhelmed predecessor and became a national hero; the brilliant Rear Admiral Norman Scott, who died even as he showed his command how to fight and win; Rear Admiral Daniel Callaghan, the folksy and genteel “Uncle Dan”, lost in the strobe-lit chaos of his burning flagship; Rear Admiral Willis Lee, who took vengeance two nights later in a legendary showdown with the Japanese battleship Kirishima; the five Sullivan brothers, all killed in the shocking destruction of the Juneau; and many others, all vividly brought to life.

The first major work on this essential subject in almost two decades, Neptune’s Inferno does what all great battle narratives do: It cuts through the smoke and fog to tell the gripping human stories behind the momentous events and critical decisions that altered the course of history and shaped so many lives. This is a thrilling achievement from a master historian at the very top of his game.

©2011 James D. Hornfischer (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Outstanding. The author offers balanced assessments of the leaders on both sides, but the real heroes are the American bluejackets, who too often paid with suffering and death for those leaders' slowness to learn. And as in his first two books, the author's narrative gifts and excellent choice of detail give an almost Homeric quality to the men who met on the sea in steel titans." (Booklist, starred review)

"This work's major strengths are its careful organization, readable prose, and...well-reasoned conclusions. Depictions of battles and ships are enlivened with...apt comments from participants and relevant character sketches of the key figures." (Proceedings Magazine)

"Neptune's Inferno is an exceptional piece of military history. Hornfischer has broadened and deepened our understanding of the U.S. Navy's role in the Solomons campaign in this eminently readable account of the bloody naval battles of attrition in the fall of 1942 that doomed the Imperial Japanese Navy to defeat and irrevocably shifted the strategic initiative in the Pacific War." (Dr. Peter R. Mansoor, colonel, US Army (ret.), Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History, The Ohio State University)

You feel like you are actually there.

To often we forget our past or minimize history's importance. This book let's you experience it as if it was unfolding today and you are there to see it all.

I had no idea

I stand in awe of The Men Who endured that I'm sure my imagination does it no justice

A compelling accounting of Guadalcanal

What did you love best about Neptune's Inferno?

Truth be told I have listened to this book more than twice. The accounting of the greatest naval battle of WWII. The detail and commentery is so powerful. The carnage as the fleets engage, the cost of the thousands of sailors lives each day.I have read the stories or the Marines who were fighting on Guadalcanal, now I have the understanding of why they were left to survive as they were.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many lives ran through the accounting to pin point a single favorite

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

Again too many to single one

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book is moving. Our Navy, our military was so green and uncoordinated. Through many accountings of the Naval battles its a miracle we achivied the success we acheived.

Neptune’s inferno

Most of my knowledge of the Guadalcanal campaign involved the Marines both aviators and infantry. Mr. Hornfischer provided a exceptional and thrilling view of the US Navy’s participation in this campaign. Both the actual naval engagements and the insights into the political and personal aspects are well presented. My father served as a pharmacist mate (naval corpsman) at Iwo Jima and in the Philippines and this work provides me with an better understanding of the horrific nature of the Pacific naval war and why he found it impossible to discuss his experiences. After listening to this extraordinary account, It is amazing that the most of combat veterans of WWII were able to overcome what they had to endure. It’s certainly a sad testament to our educational system that most Americans have utterly no concept of the what just a generation ago, the citizens of this country accomplished. The book is excellent and highly recommend

simply incredible and perhaps prescient

what a story. this book won't disappoint. from the forward through the end, this is an amazing tale of how America gambled big, and won during WWII. I hope we don't have to do this again, but it isn't hard to imagine the world could contort itself into a similar situation again!

astonishing

the word play is amazing, the narrator is spot on, perfection in a history book

Simply the best

Not only is it a greatly detailed accounting of the Guadalcanal Campaign, but it speaks to the sacrifices so beautifully and with such reverence. It points a finger to the obvious errors but begs the question, “What would you have done?”

There were so many errors in judgement throughout the Pacific. From the lack of readiness at Pearl Harbor despite the warnings,to the decision of attacking rather than bypassing islands and the typhoons.

But through all the mistakes,courage prevailed.

Brave Men who questioned but still gave their all!

Harrowing and awe inspiring story of the the Officers and Enlisted Men of the United States Navy at the horrific beginning for the battle of the Pacific against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Many gave all though they wanted to live!
Harold R Walker, Lt Col, USAF Ret.

I never knew

I've always considered myself a student of history, particularly WW2. But I never really understood Guadalcanal and it's importance. Now I know. God bless those men.

Great Read

Very thorough. If you are interested in the Guadalcanal this will be very helpful in getting a good overview of the battle.