Lonely Vigil

Coastwatchers of the Solomons

De: Walter Lord

Narrado por: Norman Dietz

From the best-selling author of Day of Infamy: In the bloodiest island combat of WWII, one group of men kept watch from behind Japanese lines.

The Solomon Islands was where the Allied war machine finally broke the Japanese empire. As pilots, marines, and sailors fought for supremacy in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Slot, a lonely group of radio operators occupied the Solomon Islands' highest points. Sometimes encamped in comfort, sometimes exposed to the elements, these coastwatchers kept lookout for squadrons of Japanese bombers headed for Allied positions, holding their own positions even when enemy troops swarmed all around.

They were Australian-born but Solomon-raised, and adept at survival in the unforgiving jungle environment. Through daring and insight, they stayed one step ahead of the Japanese, often sacrificing themselves to give advance warning of an attack.

In Lonely Vigil, Walter Lord, the number one New York Times best-selling author of A Night to Remember and The Miracle of Dunkirk, tells of the survivors of the campaign and what they risked to win the war in the Pacific.

©1977 Walter Lord (P)2018 Tantor

One of the best books about a little known group of brave men.

If you are even remotely interested in World War 2 and some of the backstories of the war in the Pacific, this book is a must read/listen.

It Really Happened

Love the book. It tells me about the time I was born, November, 1941.

I knew the places and some of the chatacters

The author correctly describes the unique characters who made up the Coastwatcher community, and their incredible courage under gruelling conditions.
As Admiral Nimitz famously concluded: the Coastwatchers saved The Solomons , and the Solomons saved the Pacific.

Fascinating story

A little bit more detailed than necessary, but good insight into the invaluable assistance rendered by the indigenous people and Europeans of the Solomon Islands

Fantastic story, difficult narration.

Not sure if it’s editing or the author himself (really it’s both) but the narration was performed in a monotone voice that was edited so that all the sentences would run on to eachother.

The real saving grace is the content itself. Very interesting story.