Islands of Destiny: The Solomons Campaign and the Eclipse of the Rising Sun

Written by John Prados

Narrated by Richard Ferrone

John Prados enjoys well-deserved acclaim for his work as a World War II historian and military intelligence expert. In this dramatically told reassessment of the Allies' battle for the Solomon Islands, Prados demonstrates how this campaign -- and not Midway, as commonly thought -- turned the tide in the Pacific.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781470336943

Reviews for Islands of Destiny

[liagiba-509990 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Useful to a reader already familiar with the campaign and interested in Japanese perspective contrasted with US perspective. Not a good overview for the casual reader, though.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent portrayal of the intense and crucial campaign for many small and obscure Pacific Islands with one great redeeming quality; they could become air bases. Air, sea and land battles, small and large occurred almost daily as Japanese strength and initiative waxed strongly then dramatically waned under the growing Allied initiatives. Much pertinent and interesting detail, particularly in the intelligence gathering , analysis and utilization which provided the Allies with a significant advantage during these early and awkward days after Midway. Narrated well by Richard Ferrone.

[mburdette-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I will start by saying that, though I heartily agree with Prados' thesis that the Pacific War turning point was in the Solomons Campaign, I was initially unimpressed with the book. It seemed in bad need of an editor. Prados can have a stilted, choppy writing style that is difficult to read. He also used incorrect terminology (it's F6F and F4F, not F-6F or F-4F) and flat out derogatory terms (an author using "Jap" when they are quoting a contemporary source is completely acceptable, using it while writing in their own voice is completely unacceptable.) He also referred to Guadalcanal as "Cactus" throughout the book, even when discussing Japanese (not Jap) planning in reference to it. It was confusing and bizarre considering that was the U.S. codename for Guadalcanal. Last he also made some pretty obvious historical errors (he refers to Gen. Lawton Collins as the commander of the Americal Division multiple times throughout a multi-paragraph stretch. Collins was the commander of the 25th Division not the Americal, something Prados should have known.) I was surprised at the number of faults I found considering Prados' impressive reputation as a historian. In defense of the book I will say it covers some interesting and new, for me, ground by integrating intelligence into the campaign. However, what really saved the book for me was the final chapter. There Prados does an excellent job of explaining how the Japanese (not Jap) conflict between decisive battle strategy and attrition battle operations really hurt them. That alone made the book worthwhile. I would suggest picking it up in the library and just reading that last chapter. If you want good books on the Guadalcanal and Solomons campaign I recommend Richard Frank's Guadalcanal and the relevant volumes from Samuel Eliot Morison's History.