In the last few months I've read Viper Pilot by Dan Hampton, The Lost Explorer by Conrad Anker, Islands of Destiny by John Prados, and am reading Pardon my Hearse by Abbott and Abbot.
Viper Pilot - Very good book about an F-16 driver from the 80's to his retirement after supporting the invasion of Iraq. Arrogant, (shocking for a fighter pilot...) and opinionated (duh) as he is, it is a good book.
The Lost Explorer - Anker's story about an expedition to find George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, an attempt to deteremine if they made the summit, and his climb of Everest in the same trip. After reading I've reversed my opinion they made it and died on the descent. I think Anker said they probably made the First or Second Step and we stopped by the 90' vertical climb. That in no way diminishes their accomplishments. Includes a detailed description of the search, discovery, and partial exhumation of Mallory's body, plus the fallout from the climbing community about disturbing the body. It switches between his narrative and a retelling of the 1924 expedition. If you're into climbing or that type of history, you should read the book.
Islands of Destiny - Covers from the pre-war era to the end of Operation Watchtower. Discusses American and Japanese politics, the campaign, individual islands, and especially ship movements. It is a little hard to follow, especially the portions on Guadalcanal, in part because his descriptions of land battles are brief. His focus is the naval aspect, especially the Japanese detroyers, and surprisingly on intelligence. This may be worth it alone to read about intel's role during the campaign. It contracts American and Japanese efforts, structure, and results. You wouldn't think it, but he paints a picture of a robust all source program using imagery, SIGINT, ELINT, RDF, code breaking, translation, and organization. I find it interesting that he alluded to this being the first F3EAD-like structure, particularly with tactical (literally on aircraft carriers with the fleet commander) applications. A better narrative of the naval battles for Guadalcanal is Neptune's Inferno by Hornfischer, but it covers the period to the Japanese pullout in Jan. 43. Prados covers everything and is worth it for the Japanese stories and intel focus.
Pardon my Hearse - An interesting autobio concerning the mortuary business in CA from the 50's to the present. The author participated in funerals for Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and many others. He also describes the mundane day-to-day of handling and hauling bodies. Interesting book but probably buy this one used and turn it back to your local book store. Good book but not a keeper.
Viper Pilot - Very good book about an F-16 driver from the 80's to his retirement after supporting the invasion of Iraq. Arrogant, (shocking for a fighter pilot...) and opinionated (duh) as he is, it is a good book.
The Lost Explorer - Anker's story about an expedition to find George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, an attempt to deteremine if they made the summit, and his climb of Everest in the same trip. After reading I've reversed my opinion they made it and died on the descent. I think Anker said they probably made the First or Second Step and we stopped by the 90' vertical climb. That in no way diminishes their accomplishments. Includes a detailed description of the search, discovery, and partial exhumation of Mallory's body, plus the fallout from the climbing community about disturbing the body. It switches between his narrative and a retelling of the 1924 expedition. If you're into climbing or that type of history, you should read the book.
Islands of Destiny - Covers from the pre-war era to the end of Operation Watchtower. Discusses American and Japanese politics, the campaign, individual islands, and especially ship movements. It is a little hard to follow, especially the portions on Guadalcanal, in part because his descriptions of land battles are brief. His focus is the naval aspect, especially the Japanese detroyers, and surprisingly on intelligence. This may be worth it alone to read about intel's role during the campaign. It contracts American and Japanese efforts, structure, and results. You wouldn't think it, but he paints a picture of a robust all source program using imagery, SIGINT, ELINT, RDF, code breaking, translation, and organization. I find it interesting that he alluded to this being the first F3EAD-like structure, particularly with tactical (literally on aircraft carriers with the fleet commander) applications. A better narrative of the naval battles for Guadalcanal is Neptune's Inferno by Hornfischer, but it covers the period to the Japanese pullout in Jan. 43. Prados covers everything and is worth it for the Japanese stories and intel focus.
Pardon my Hearse - An interesting autobio concerning the mortuary business in CA from the 50's to the present. The author participated in funerals for Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and many others. He also describes the mundane day-to-day of handling and hauling bodies. Interesting book but probably buy this one used and turn it back to your local book store. Good book but not a keeper.