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Utmost Savagery

The Three Days of Tarawa

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Utmost Savagery

By: Colonel Joseph H. Alexander United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
Narrated by: Tom Weiner
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About this listen

On November 20, 1943, in the first trial by fire of America’s fledgling amphibious assault doctrine, 5,000 men stormed the beaches of Tarawa, a seemingly invincible Japanese island fortress barely the size of the 300-acre Pentagon parking lots. Before the first day ended, one-third of the marines who had crossed Tarawa’s deadly reef under murderous fire were killed, wounded, or missing. In three days of fighting, four Americans would win the Medal of Honor and six thousand combatants would die.

Now, Colonel Joseph Alexander, a combat marine himself, presents the full story of Tarawa in all its horror and glory: the extreme risks, the horrific combat, and the heroic breakthroughs. Based on exhaustive research, never-before-published accounts from marine survivors, and new evidence from Japanese sources, Colonel Alexander captures the grit, guts, and relentless courage of United States Marines overcoming outrageous odds to deliver victory for their country.

Colonel Joseph H. Alexander (Ret.), a combat veteran who served in the Marine Corps for 28 years, is the author of six books and has helped produce 25 military documentaries. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

©1995 Joseph H. Alexander, 2009 by Findaway World, LLC (P)2009 Findaway World, LLC Japan Military United States War Marine Corp US Air Force Air Force United States History

Critic Reviews

“The first complete and definitive account of the Battle of Tarawa.” (Major General Mike Ryan, USMC [Ret.], Navy Cross recipient)
“A gripping narrative of one of the bloodiest battles of WWII in the Pacific theater.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“Without a doubt the best narrative of the struggle ever produced.” (Richard B. Frank, author of Guadalcanal)

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Profile Image for Hamish

Excellent Account of a Truly Horrific Battle

It sounded like D-Day on Omaha Beach but for 72 hours and much much worse. Great book. Well read.

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Profile Image for Jacques M

Remarkable Journey

I found this book quite intense and a sensational recall of the battle. Although I did find that the narrator was intent on speaking very quickly, and also, the author spent quite a time using abbreviations and letters for many items, which became quite confusing at times, and after a while, you would forget what the letters stood for.. Overall, though, the recollection was very good and was an incredible learning experience.

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