Challenge for the Pacific

Guadalcanal: The Turning Point of the War

By: Robert Leckie

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

From the Japanese soldiers' carefully calculated - and ultimately foiled - attempt to build a series of impregnable island forts on the ground to the tireless efforts of the Americans who struggled against a tenacious adversary and the temperature and terrain of the island itself, Robert Leckie captures the loneliness, the agony, and the heat of 24-hour-a-day fighting on Guadalcanal.

Combatants from both sides are brought to life: General Archer Vandegrift, who first assembled an amphibious strike force; Isoruku Yamamoto, the naval general whose innovative strategy was tested; the island-born Allied scout Jacob Vouza, who survived hideous torture to uncover the enemy's plans; and Saburo Sakai, the ace flier who shot down American planes with astonishing ease.

Propelling the Allies to eventual victory, Guadalcanal was truly the turning point of the war. Challenge for the Pacific is an unparalleled, authoritative account of this great fight that forever changed our world.

©1964, renewed 1993 Robert Leckie (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Leckie puts you in the foxhole." ( The New York Times Book Review)

one of Robert Leckies best

once I started listening I couldn't stop.
will definitely be listening to it again and again

refreshing writing

one of the best written about this campaign. excellent passion and understanding of each situation. highly recommend.

Incredible!

I have read and listened to many accounts of the Battle for Guadalcanal, this is the clearist and most understandable, yet thoughtfully dramatic. I highly recommend the fine writing and excellent narration.

Puts you in the action

This telling of the Guadalcanal story captures the desperation and valor of this critical campaign. The story flows like a novel, and unlike many history books, it really draws you into the story.

What made this story significant to me is the family connection. My father served with the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal and I recall him speaking of being abandoned on that island. He was seriously injured during Japanese shelling and evacuated to New Zealand. This book puts all this into context for me.

I previously listened to “Neptune’s Inferno“ which covers the naval battles of the Guadalcanal campaign. That book is an excellent follow up reading as there is little overlap, but they are closely linked nonetheless.

Superb account of ww2 Guadacanal campaign

Narration is slightly slow but otherwise excellent.

Superb, detailed chronological account of campaign, Japanese v American materiel, strategies, tactics, influence on the pacific campaign.

Is a superb accompaniment to Guadalcanal Diary.

Highly recommended.

Every American should hear this.

I have listened to this six times. What a book, full of real history plus real characters. Full of excitement and suspense.

Well written historical book.

If I were a Japanese person I would would be offended at his imitation the Japanese voice. I like Robert Leckie’s character from the “Pacific” series and did enjoy his vast knowledge of American and Japanese interest histories of Guadalcanal, the Senseless dying of Japanese soldiers for the emperor was absolutely disgusting.

Always A Pleasure

I first discovered Robert Leckie in 1965 when I found “A Helmet For My Pillow” on a paperback rack. I’ve reread it twice, and watched “The Pacific” twice as well, which had led me to his historical writing.

He presents the history of the battle for Guadalcanal from a very personal point of view, which makes the book an extremely interesting read.

Very well narrated.

This book should be required reading for American schools to remind kids what these young men, not much older than they are went through and the sacrifices they made to fight for our freedom from tyrannical leaders. They should know these young men carried the scars from the battles for the rest of their lives. they could never forget the horrors they saw.

Awesome Freaking Awesome I love the story

This story of the Marines was incredible. Their heroic struggle to say the island was incredible.