Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Books => Topic started by: Mad Dr Jeffe on June 02, 2004, 11:49:04 AM
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Anyone who hasnt read James Jones The Thin Red Line really should, its a fascinating book about an often forgotten part of the war, the Pacific Campaign and Guadalcanal in particular. The War in the Pacific isn't as glamerous as in Europe, because there was little glory in capturing Kuralei when you compare it to Paris or Amsterdam or Rome. Little green rocks in an ocean of blue are kind of dull (take it from a sailor whos been to a lot of islands) Thin Red line is as much psychological as it is realistic, focusing on a slew of characters from the regular Army who are trying to come to grips with fear, boredom, loniliness and the Enemy.
For a different take on the South Pacif I reccomend James Mischners Tales of the South Pacific (on which the musical South Pacific was based) the book is very different than the musical and the honesty of it conveys the islands in a very modern and realistic light while still keeping a personal touch.
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Anderson quotes The Thin Red Line a lot in the book I just read; makes me want to go read it. It sounds quite heart-wrenching, though. He also cites Michener as another of the WWII vets who wrote autobiographically. Both are now on my to-read list.
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Thin Red Line is heart wrenching at times, you almost never hear about the enemy face to face... you just deal with the terror.