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Neptune's Inferno
“A literary tour de force that is destined to become one of the . . . definitive works about the battle for Guadalcanal . . . [James D.] Hornfischer deftly captures the essence of the most pivotal naval campaign of the Pacific war.”—San Antonio Express-News
The Battle of Guadalcanal has long been heralded as a Marine victory. Now, with his powerful portrait of the Navy’s sacrifice, James D. 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 stunning cinematic detail, are the seven major naval actions that began in August 1942, a time when the war seemed unwinnable and America fought on a shoestring, with the outcome always in doubt. Working from new interviews with survivors, unpublished eyewitness accounts, and newly available documents, Hornfischer paints a vivid picture of the officers and enlisted men who opposed the Japanese in America’s hour of need. The first major work on this subject in almost two decades, Neptune’s Inferno does what all great battle narratives do: It tells the gripping human stories behind the momentous events and critical decisions that altered the course of history and shaped so many lives.
Praise for Neptune’s Inferno
“Vivid and engaging . . . extremely readable, comprehensive and thoroughly researched.”—Ronald Spector, The Wall Street Journal
“Superlative storytelling . . . the masterwork on the long-neglected topic of World War II’s surface ship combat.”—Richard B. Frank, World War II
“The author’s two previous World War II books . . . thrust him into the major leagues of American military history writers. Neptune’s Inferno is solid proof he deserves to be there.”—The Dallas Morning News
“Outstanding . . . 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)
“Brilliant . . . a compelling narrative of naval combat . . . simply superb.”—The Washington Times
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Reviews
An excellent and detailed book on the Navy’s fight in the Guadalcanal campaign. It covered a lot of known facts however the writing was both exceptional and gripping.
By Red2184
I’ve read books on the land battle at Guadacanal, but this was a good read on the US Navy’s part in the battle.
By Mr BW III
As a son of a World War II veteran, now in my own retirement from a career in education, I have come to view this author as the most preeminent modern-day historian of the Pacific War. I have now finished "Neptune's Inferno", and although reading them slightly "out of order", I have completed all of Hornfischer's outstanding contributions to Naval history. His works have been utterly captivating, extremely well-researched, and composed in a thoroughly engaging literary style. Mr. Hornfischer has once again proven himself to be qualified as the most responsible naval researcher and author of our generation, documenting and preserving these stories of sacrifice and bravery in naval battles the likes of which our world will simply never experience again. All Iike me who have enjoyed his works so much owe him a debt of gratitude for once again proving that these men, many of whom had best been described at the time as mere boys, were truly the Greatest Generation to adorn the century. As with his other books, I am actually truly sad that I have finished reading "Neptune's Inferno". The experience was such a pleasure!
By 36RED
If you like history you often find two different kinds of reading. There are relatively dry, factual, well researched, half page full of footnotes books that give you laundry lists of events, or there are great story tellers that take facts as hostages to create a dramatic narrative. This author really does an amazing job of respecting facts and telling great stories, will be reading him again.
By dblecircle
A riveting and very readable history of Naval and associated actions during the early days of WWII in the South Pacific. This book delivers details of early war naval tactics and the resulting wins, losses and ties. Never dry or boring the description of battles and the resulting damage to ships and the men who served on them is very well done. In all of my reading on US Naval actions in the PTO of WWII I have never experienced better writing on the men who fought and died for their country. An excellent read!
By R Hillbury