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The Corps #4
Battleground
W.E.B. Griffin is a bestselling phenomenom, an American master of authentic military action and drama. Now, in this electrifying new novel, he reveals the story of one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Pacific, the epic struggle for Guadalcanal...Daredevil pilot Charles Galloway learns the hard way how to command a fighter squadron. Lt. Joe Howard teams up with the Coastwatchers. Jack "No Middle Initial" Stecker leads his infantry battalion into the thickest of fighting, at a terrible price. And Navy Captain Pickering grabs a helmet and rifle to join the ranks at Guadalcanal...
487 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 16, 1991
660 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,304 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 6, 2021
W.E.B. Griffin aka Bill Butterworth was a veteran who wrote several excellent military series.
He was also kind of enough years ago to give an unknown author a blurb for their first novel-- my first book Eyes of the Hammer
He was also kind of enough years ago to give an unknown author a blurb for their first novel-- my first book Eyes of the Hammer
September 18, 2019
I wrote in my review of the last book I read in The Corps series that I would stop reading them for awhile, because I have a life. I couldn't do it. I seem to be addicted to stately prose and good storytelling. But I assumed that I would move on to after the Chinese came into the war. I was wrong. This one is about Guadalcanal and I've already the ones following it, so plot lines are started that I've already read the resolution of. It's still great storytelling and it's fascinating to read these stories fleshed out, even when you know how it proceeds. The next one I'm reading starts with Pearl Harbor, i.e. we move back again. It's just a strange way to read a series, and I may have read this one back in the '80s, though nothing seems completely familiar so far.
But what those reading this review want to know is not why I'm reading in this weird way; they want to know whether to read the book or not. Yeah, read the book.
But what those reading this review want to know is not why I'm reading in this weird way; they want to know whether to read the book or not. Yeah, read the book.
May 3, 2018
Another thrilling entry in the Corps series, maybe the best one yet...and that's saying a lot. An eye-opening account of the early days of the war in the Pacific.
March 3, 2022
In the last book in this series, Griffin brought the corps to Guadalcanal, but he did so in large brush strokes mostly from an eagle-eyed view. In Battleground, he retraces some of that territory from his characteristic boots-level perspective, going over the lightning preparations for the invasion and reminding the reader again how the navy pulled out—stranding the marines on the island without giving them all their gear or even all their personnel. Griffin rarely puts the actual battles in the center ring, but you feel like you’re there anyway as reports come in and the consequences are dealt with. You also see quite a few of the people you’ve come to care about go into harms way.
In addition to battles with the Japanese, there are also plenty of the petty conflicts between the branches of service and between officers—the sort of stuff that you would think people would put behind them as they fight the Second World War but which human nature insists would become even more prevalent as the tension mounts. Even Magic—the greatest secret of the war (the U.S. had broken several Japanese codes)—is put at risk more than once for the basest of reasons.
Yet, it’s this pettiness and corruption that lets Griffin’s true heroes shine even brighter—men and women making every sacrifice to serve their country in one of its darkest hours. These books are not only exciting, they inspire us to imagine how we would (hopefully) step up when our country needs us.
In addition to battles with the Japanese, there are also plenty of the petty conflicts between the branches of service and between officers—the sort of stuff that you would think people would put behind them as they fight the Second World War but which human nature insists would become even more prevalent as the tension mounts. Even Magic—the greatest secret of the war (the U.S. had broken several Japanese codes)—is put at risk more than once for the basest of reasons.
Yet, it’s this pettiness and corruption that lets Griffin’s true heroes shine even brighter—men and women making every sacrifice to serve their country in one of its darkest hours. These books are not only exciting, they inspire us to imagine how we would (hopefully) step up when our country needs us.
Read
August 18, 2019Battleground, by W. E. B. Griffin, is the fourth novel in a series called The Corps, referring to the Marine Corps of the United States of America. This novel concentrates on the actions of several fictional characters as they are brought together in the South Pacific battleground of World War II from June to August of 1942. The main character is Captain Fleming Pickering, who holds a unique status in the Navy during this war, having been a Marine in WWI. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox has assigned Pickering the job of gathering the truth about what is happening in the war so he can compare that to the reports from the field he is receiving from his admirals.
This novel of the series concerns the sequence of events for each character covering the short months between the Midway Island fight and the battleground of Guadalcanal, showing the disparity between the American and Japanese forces, the struggles of individuals in these situations, the loyalty of men to their country, and their personal loves and lives.
In June of 1942, Bill Dunn, a Marine naval aviator, is in the battle over Midway, and is later questioned about his actions, with the inference he may have behaved incorrectly. While in the hospital he begins an affair with a nurse named Mary Agnes. Pickering is in Australia, a close friend and confidant of McArthur. Pickering is receiving clandestine messages from his secretary and other contacts he has begun to gather around him, including Pluto Hon, a brilliant cryptologist. Marine Intelligence back in DC is responsible for assisting Pickering with formation of Special Detachment 14, which is in support of the Coastwatchers Establishment. Coastwatchers are men who were left on some of the South Pacific islands to watch the skies and the seas for Japanese movement.
John Moore is a young man in Officers Candidate School who has no idea his world is about to be turned upside down. At the demand of Marine Intelligence, he is pulled out of school, given the rank of Sergeant, and provided with orders to proceed to Australia after a short visit home to Philadelphia. Moore is not told of his ultimate assignment and is required to just trust the men in command. While on his short leave to his home, he meets and falls in love with an older woman named Barbara. Also, Moore learns that his father has been using money from Moore's trust fund. As Moore continues his journey, he thinks of making a life with Barbara. Meanwhile, Barbara is realizing she is foolish to plan a life with a younger man, and when her husband comes to her asking for a reconciliation, she accepts his offer.
A special fighter group named VVF-229 is being formed under the command of Col. Dawkins, on Oahu. This group will be critical for the defense of Guadalcanal, but at the moment only has one member, Bill Dunn. Captain Charles Galloway is en route to Marine Headquarters in Hawaii to be the leader of the group, and he is traveling with his girlfriend, Caroline. The two are very much in love. When Galloway arrives, he enlists the assistance of his old friend Steve Oblensky, who is a miracle worker with all types of motors, and the men begin test flying the aircraft and repairing the motors while they are waiting for the rest of their fighter group to arrive.
Meanwhile, Moore joins Pickering's team in Australia. Although he was originally conscripted to work with the Coastwatchers, Moore is considered more appropriate for Hon's cryptology efforts. Moore speaks Japanese fluently, and more importantly, lived in Japan long enough to absorb the culture. The other member of Pickering's elite team is Sgt. Banning, a Marine.
VMF-229 gets additional members: Jim Ward (Caroline's brother) and David Schneider. These two aviators are very opposite in character, with Jim being easygoing and friendly, and David being a by-the-book man with no humor. Dunn has tired of Mary Agnes, so when she shows interest in Schneider, Dunn encourages her to move on.
As these teams come into play on this battleground of the South Pacific, there is much concern about the petty rivalries between the USA armed forces, especially between the Marines and the Navy. This war has a much bigger emphasis on the role of aviators, but the Navy is resisting loss of any of its power. It is easy to see how the role of Pickering will play a major factor in pulling together the decision-makers to win the war.
Major Jake Dillon, a longtime friend and contact of Captain Pickering, is being sent to Guadalcanal to make a documentary and promotional film for the Marines. Major Dillon also serves as a courier for some of Pickering's team and has a strong network of contacts himself.
As the forces come together and the Japanese forces are headed to Guadalcanal to take it back from the Marines, Pickering decides to place himself in the heat of the battle so he can best report back to Knox. While there, Pickering is suddenly placed in command of the intelligence gathering for the forces there. Almost as soon as Knox hears of this, he demands a Navy ship get Pickering out of there. Pickering boards the USS Gregory, which is soon strafed by the enemy, and Pickering must command the ship when her captain is killed in the battle.
VMF-229 is ready to be sent out, and soon all eighteen pilots are placed in the path of the oncoming Japanese airplanes. Dunn emerges with enough kills to rate Ace status, but his achievement is overshadowed by the loss of Galloway, whose aircraft was seen to enter the ocean after being hit.
Before anyone can truly mourn Galloway, word comes that he has been picked up by a PT-109 and is coming back to take over VMF-229.
This novel of the series concerns the sequence of events for each character covering the short months between the Midway Island fight and the battleground of Guadalcanal, showing the disparity between the American and Japanese forces, the struggles of individuals in these situations, the loyalty of men to their country, and their personal loves and lives.
In June of 1942, Bill Dunn, a Marine naval aviator, is in the battle over Midway, and is later questioned about his actions, with the inference he may have behaved incorrectly. While in the hospital he begins an affair with a nurse named Mary Agnes. Pickering is in Australia, a close friend and confidant of McArthur. Pickering is receiving clandestine messages from his secretary and other contacts he has begun to gather around him, including Pluto Hon, a brilliant cryptologist. Marine Intelligence back in DC is responsible for assisting Pickering with formation of Special Detachment 14, which is in support of the Coastwatchers Establishment. Coastwatchers are men who were left on some of the South Pacific islands to watch the skies and the seas for Japanese movement.
John Moore is a young man in Officers Candidate School who has no idea his world is about to be turned upside down. At the demand of Marine Intelligence, he is pulled out of school, given the rank of Sergeant, and provided with orders to proceed to Australia after a short visit home to Philadelphia. Moore is not told of his ultimate assignment and is required to just trust the men in command. While on his short leave to his home, he meets and falls in love with an older woman named Barbara. Also, Moore learns that his father has been using money from Moore's trust fund. As Moore continues his journey, he thinks of making a life with Barbara. Meanwhile, Barbara is realizing she is foolish to plan a life with a younger man, and when her husband comes to her asking for a reconciliation, she accepts his offer.
A special fighter group named VVF-229 is being formed under the command of Col. Dawkins, on Oahu. This group will be critical for the defense of Guadalcanal, but at the moment only has one member, Bill Dunn. Captain Charles Galloway is en route to Marine Headquarters in Hawaii to be the leader of the group, and he is traveling with his girlfriend, Caroline. The two are very much in love. When Galloway arrives, he enlists the assistance of his old friend Steve Oblensky, who is a miracle worker with all types of motors, and the men begin test flying the aircraft and repairing the motors while they are waiting for the rest of their fighter group to arrive.
Meanwhile, Moore joins Pickering's team in Australia. Although he was originally conscripted to work with the Coastwatchers, Moore is considered more appropriate for Hon's cryptology efforts. Moore speaks Japanese fluently, and more importantly, lived in Japan long enough to absorb the culture. The other member of Pickering's elite team is Sgt. Banning, a Marine.
VMF-229 gets additional members: Jim Ward (Caroline's brother) and David Schneider. These two aviators are very opposite in character, with Jim being easygoing and friendly, and David being a by-the-book man with no humor. Dunn has tired of Mary Agnes, so when she shows interest in Schneider, Dunn encourages her to move on.
As these teams come into play on this battleground of the South Pacific, there is much concern about the petty rivalries between the USA armed forces, especially between the Marines and the Navy. This war has a much bigger emphasis on the role of aviators, but the Navy is resisting loss of any of its power. It is easy to see how the role of Pickering will play a major factor in pulling together the decision-makers to win the war.
Major Jake Dillon, a longtime friend and contact of Captain Pickering, is being sent to Guadalcanal to make a documentary and promotional film for the Marines. Major Dillon also serves as a courier for some of Pickering's team and has a strong network of contacts himself.
As the forces come together and the Japanese forces are headed to Guadalcanal to take it back from the Marines, Pickering decides to place himself in the heat of the battle so he can best report back to Knox. While there, Pickering is suddenly placed in command of the intelligence gathering for the forces there. Almost as soon as Knox hears of this, he demands a Navy ship get Pickering out of there. Pickering boards the USS Gregory, which is soon strafed by the enemy, and Pickering must command the ship when her captain is killed in the battle.
VMF-229 is ready to be sent out, and soon all eighteen pilots are placed in the path of the oncoming Japanese airplanes. Dunn emerges with enough kills to rate Ace status, but his achievement is overshadowed by the loss of Galloway, whose aircraft was seen to enter the ocean after being hit.
Before anyone can truly mourn Galloway, word comes that he has been picked up by a PT-109 and is coming back to take over VMF-229.
October 11, 2022
The history of WWII in the Pacific continues from the eyes of various Marines from Coastwatcher's, aviators, G-2 operators, grunts, close advisors to the Administration and their loves...The dysfunctional inter-service rivalries are on full display as Griffin continues the stories of the early years of the move to dismantle the Japanese Empire, starting in the Soloman's with Guadalcanal...Just good stuff!!!
December 21, 2019
This series is excellent! So hard to put down. Rather than returning to my normal rotation of books, in which I cycle through several authors/series(8), I'm starting the next book in this series right now.
October 24, 2020
The multiple W.E.B. Griffin series of books are a bit odd. What I mean by that is that I mostly enjoy them yet I really can’t put my finger on exactly why. This particular book is Book 4 of a 10 book series titled “The Corps”. I’ve also read a 9 book series by the author titled “The Brotherhood of War”. By the titles, you would be correct in assuming these are military books, yet there really is very little “war” in these books. Nor is there really much of a story. You would think that military books that don’t have much of a story nor battle action wouldn’t hold much appeal. Strangely though, these books tend to hold the reader’s interest.
This series of books revolve around several soldiers in the Marine Corps during World War II. This particular book takes place before and during the battle of Guadalcanal. Again, though, very little fighting or descriptions of the actual battle are included. Instead, author W.E.B. Griffin focuses on the intricacies and politics that exist in the American armed services. We learn an awful lot about how soldiers interact and the expectations around military protocol and just what all is involved when one is in the Marine Corps during the World War. We read telexes, top secret documents, and are privy to conversations with Secretary Knox and General MacArthur among others, and get a strong feel of what life is like in between the battles.
This book (which picks up where Book 3 leaves off) leads up to Guadalcanal. The U.S. Military is still licking its wounds from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, and the political brass is scrambling to decide the next plan of action. Again, not much about Guadalcanal itself, yet we do get to meet several soldiers that somehow will play a role in the conflict. Some soldiers we’ve met in earlier books, some we’re meeting for the first time. Sadly, I have a hard time keeping track of who is who from the past books, yet Griffin does a good job reminding his readers of the necessary background so we can keep up.
Of course, when you’re telling a story about soldiers a long way from home, there’s an awful lot of sex in these books as well. An awful lot. I mean – really an awful lot. This is actually a strike against the series for me. It seems a bit far-fetched that every time a nurse, a secretary, a WAC, or someone’s sister is introduced in the story, it’s only a matter of a few pages before she’s in bed with one of the soldiers with a torqued up libido. Perhaps I’m naïve from watching too many old movies that were heavily into censoring what respectable young women are supposed to be like, but according to Griffin, every woman in his books will eventually be buried in a Y-shaped coffin. It’s a bit much. I guess you could make the argument that such encounters are more fun to read about than a detailed military strategy of an amphibious landing of a small island in the Pacific. As I said, I DID enjoy the book, so go figure.
Critics argue that these books by Griffin are more of a military soap opera than they are a good, realistic story, and those critics have a fair point. Like many others, though, I actually find a lot in these books to enjoy. So give the author credit for a unique idea. I really don’t know any author that is so successful at these type of adventures where such little adventure actually happens. Outside the bedroom that is.
This series of books revolve around several soldiers in the Marine Corps during World War II. This particular book takes place before and during the battle of Guadalcanal. Again, though, very little fighting or descriptions of the actual battle are included. Instead, author W.E.B. Griffin focuses on the intricacies and politics that exist in the American armed services. We learn an awful lot about how soldiers interact and the expectations around military protocol and just what all is involved when one is in the Marine Corps during the World War. We read telexes, top secret documents, and are privy to conversations with Secretary Knox and General MacArthur among others, and get a strong feel of what life is like in between the battles.
This book (which picks up where Book 3 leaves off) leads up to Guadalcanal. The U.S. Military is still licking its wounds from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, and the political brass is scrambling to decide the next plan of action. Again, not much about Guadalcanal itself, yet we do get to meet several soldiers that somehow will play a role in the conflict. Some soldiers we’ve met in earlier books, some we’re meeting for the first time. Sadly, I have a hard time keeping track of who is who from the past books, yet Griffin does a good job reminding his readers of the necessary background so we can keep up.
Of course, when you’re telling a story about soldiers a long way from home, there’s an awful lot of sex in these books as well. An awful lot. I mean – really an awful lot. This is actually a strike against the series for me. It seems a bit far-fetched that every time a nurse, a secretary, a WAC, or someone’s sister is introduced in the story, it’s only a matter of a few pages before she’s in bed with one of the soldiers with a torqued up libido. Perhaps I’m naïve from watching too many old movies that were heavily into censoring what respectable young women are supposed to be like, but according to Griffin, every woman in his books will eventually be buried in a Y-shaped coffin. It’s a bit much. I guess you could make the argument that such encounters are more fun to read about than a detailed military strategy of an amphibious landing of a small island in the Pacific. As I said, I DID enjoy the book, so go figure.
Critics argue that these books by Griffin are more of a military soap opera than they are a good, realistic story, and those critics have a fair point. Like many others, though, I actually find a lot in these books to enjoy. So give the author credit for a unique idea. I really don’t know any author that is so successful at these type of adventures where such little adventure actually happens. Outside the bedroom that is.
April 5, 2025
finished 5th april 2025 (anniversary of macarthur's death i believe) good read three stars i liked it nothing less nothing more kindle library loaner have read more than a dozen from griffin w.e.b. enjoyed each one this one no different continuing saga of the battle in pacific after pearl harbor...1942 mid-year thereabouts...auustralia, guadalcanal, washington d.c., san diego, other points of interest. in this one and in the other...makes it interesting...there is included more than one hare-brained event that leads to disaster. there is also clearly shown the cross-service rivalry to the point of shame...and it'd be a shame to go into it. i wonder if that has changed...i suspect not...i suspect it has gotten worse. too...in this one, there's some telling scenes to do with the u.s. havng broken the japanese code. and all that could possibly entail...not only all the high and mighty chagrined because they don't know about such things and feel they should, hi! caruma! by chrom's hoary balls!...but also the potential for disaster when elements privy to that knowledge could potentially fall into the enemies' hands. all in all, an entertaining read, entertaining series, and i look forward to reading the remainder.
November 19, 2020
I finished it. It was, in places, a pretty slow slog. Griffin tends to author every book so it technically could be read as a standalone story. To accomplish this or perhaps thinking loyal readers need incessant refresher courses. How who met whom where and why and what has gone before is covered in quite annoying detail. This book even parrales the invasion of Guadalcanal even having some of the same dialog in both book. There's a lot of talking and manuvers, the Army and the Navy are still at each other's throats while the Marines are left standing in the rain underequiped and with little support. Ken McCoy has a brief appearance, Pick is only mentioned casually. Ellen Feller is up to her usual trick. I'm going to continue the series. I'm not sure why. It's been 20+ years since I last read any of these and I'm not sure where I left off then. Let's see how this goes.
October 19, 2018
Of the first four novels in the series, BATTLEGROUND (Book 4) was my second favorite. SEMPER FI (Book 1) was my overall favorite.
As with his other books in “The Corps” series, historical facts, events, places, and individuals are masterfully woven into a fascinating fictional story. BATTLEGROUND’S primary story line is the preparation and invasion of Guadalcanal. There is also a story line on the Coastwatchers.
If you decide to start reading the series, be prepared to binge read all 10 books. I took a break from the series and read another book. When I returned back to the series, I had to stop, think, and remember some of the characters since there are so many and they appear, disappear, and reappear throughout the series.
As with his other books in “The Corps” series, historical facts, events, places, and individuals are masterfully woven into a fascinating fictional story. BATTLEGROUND’S primary story line is the preparation and invasion of Guadalcanal. There is also a story line on the Coastwatchers.
If you decide to start reading the series, be prepared to binge read all 10 books. I took a break from the series and read another book. When I returned back to the series, I had to stop, think, and remember some of the characters since there are so many and they appear, disappear, and reappear throughout the series.
August 21, 2023
My first Griffin novel and I'm BLOWN AWAY. While the book is made very difficult for readers in the non-military background (still difficult to read for those in the non-naval service) the book is a true gem for those who can understand and reminisce the innuendos of military life. If Tom Clancy writes for the general public with a slightly glorified military hue, Griffin writes for, from, and of the military in a distinct ode to the real past of the military services. It's basically one long enticing war movie with the romance, the secrets, and the inter-service feud with the ability to go in the minds of the characters at will. Such a joy to have read this, and proud to be a marine. Semper fi.
March 21, 2021
Another great one in this series!
This is a continuation of the conquest of Guadacanal. Focusing mostly on the air and naval efforts in that endeavor. Some great insights into Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur's conflict. A conflict that President Roosevelt could have avoided my assigning one commander of the South Pacific, as he did with Eisenhower.
Trapped, understaffed, without food and limited ammo and fuel, the marine and army grunts and flyboys on Guadacanal took their licks. Despite all of this leadership conflict and needed help, the fighting individuals' resilience and courage prevailed—great fun reading and always with excitement.
This is a continuation of the conquest of Guadacanal. Focusing mostly on the air and naval efforts in that endeavor. Some great insights into Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur's conflict. A conflict that President Roosevelt could have avoided my assigning one commander of the South Pacific, as he did with Eisenhower.
Trapped, understaffed, without food and limited ammo and fuel, the marine and army grunts and flyboys on Guadacanal took their licks. Despite all of this leadership conflict and needed help, the fighting individuals' resilience and courage prevailed—great fun reading and always with excitement.
August 15, 2021
Redundant
Disappointed the series is redundant. Boo 4 is the same as book 3, there are only minor changes in the story. The books provide pointless details. The author clearly lacks respect for women using them as sex objects that lack self respect. He also uses stereotypes and racial and homophobic bigotry in his story telling for no real purpose. Its as if the author is trying to let his bigotry out under the guise of history so he makes slurs about some, minorities and homosexuality just because he can. It does nothing to contribute to the story. Most of these slurs are thrown in at random and does nothing to add to the character plot development.
Disappointed the series is redundant. Boo 4 is the same as book 3, there are only minor changes in the story. The books provide pointless details. The author clearly lacks respect for women using them as sex objects that lack self respect. He also uses stereotypes and racial and homophobic bigotry in his story telling for no real purpose. Its as if the author is trying to let his bigotry out under the guise of history so he makes slurs about some, minorities and homosexuality just because he can. It does nothing to contribute to the story. Most of these slurs are thrown in at random and does nothing to add to the character plot development.
June 1, 2023
Another great book in a great series. Having a son who's currently serving in the Marines and no previous Marines in my family, this has been a really great way to learn more about the amazing history and culture of the Corps.
But when the heck will we get back to McCoy!?...the most endearing character.... plus his best friend (_____Pickering?) whose name I'm forgetting now that they've been left out so much. I know we did see some of then in this book, but way too little.
Still a great book and I learned a lot more about the action at and around Guadalcanal.
But when the heck will we get back to McCoy!?...the most endearing character.... plus his best friend (_____Pickering?) whose name I'm forgetting now that they've been left out so much. I know we did see some of then in this book, but way too little.
Still a great book and I learned a lot more about the action at and around Guadalcanal.
March 18, 2019
Great, ready to start the next one. Anxious to see how Galloway continues. Also wanna see Howard and the other soldiers outcome where they been on the island with the natives. Again, really shows how one hand doesn’t talk to the other or help the other between the Marines and the Navy pier yet lost a lot of precious time in soldiers when maybe refused to help unload one being disbursed on the islands to get ready for battle.
May 31, 2021
Marines in The Southwest Pacific
The United States Marine Corps was instrumental in winning the war. An in depth look at Intelligence officers, USMC Pilots, Field Officers, noncommisioned officers, and enlisted men - behind the front lines in Australia and New Zealand and on the front lines on Guadalcanal. Also a sensational story about the Australian Coastwatchers who risked their lives to gather intelligence for the Allies. W.E.B. Griffin is the best author ever!
The United States Marine Corps was instrumental in winning the war. An in depth look at Intelligence officers, USMC Pilots, Field Officers, noncommisioned officers, and enlisted men - behind the front lines in Australia and New Zealand and on the front lines on Guadalcanal. Also a sensational story about the Australian Coastwatchers who risked their lives to gather intelligence for the Allies. W.E.B. Griffin is the best author ever!
September 14, 2018
Fantastic great story wrapped around so many factual events and characters. Wonderfully fun to read and could not put it down. Read entire book in 3 days.
Fantastic great story wrapped around so many factual events and characters. Wonderfully fun to read and could not put it down. Read entire book in 3 days.
Fantastic great story wrapped around so many factual events and characters. Wonderfully fun to read and could not put it down. Read entire book in 3 days.
April 20, 2019
Typical Griffin Novel.
This focuses on characters from the first three books in the series, with some new people added.
Guadalcanal, Coast Watchers, Midway, Solomon Islands and other Pacific Ocean WWII action - both forward and rear echelon are covered. All in Griffin style with the good, the bad and incompetent.
Always a fun read, even if is a Formula.
This focuses on characters from the first three books in the series, with some new people added.
Guadalcanal, Coast Watchers, Midway, Solomon Islands and other Pacific Ocean WWII action - both forward and rear echelon are covered. All in Griffin style with the good, the bad and incompetent.
Always a fun read, even if is a Formula.
November 9, 2017
This series is a great read, but you should start from the beginning as it is really just one long story. I love all the military detail. You’ll like the books if you liked John Wayne war movies. It captures an idealized culture where men are men and women are accessories.
November 10, 2020
One area that irritates me to no end, is the significant amount of page time spent on rehashing previous story details. It is so frustrating to have to re-read old story lines... Ugh... I am now at the point of flipping ahead until the rehash ends and continue on with the new material..
April 16, 2021
I like how world building the story was this time around, the characters had way more personality in them. Despite being very slow paced in the beginning, more action began to spring up. I still have yet to see more Killer McCoy, as I'm interested in seeing more of his perspective
May 15, 2022
As usual an exceptionally well written book
The main characters in this book all seem to get wounded. It goes without saying after all this a war story. The women in this book are either angels or devils.
The main characters in this book all seem to get wounded. It goes without saying after all this a war story. The women in this book are either angels or devils.
July 8, 2022
Set in World War II and the fight in the Pacific. I enjoy these novels following the brave men who fought for our freedom. Imperfect men who at times did stupid things and at times were in petty fights but men who were brave enough and moral enough to love their country.
July 11, 2022
calamities of war
Historically accurate. Psychological thriller. Clear understanding of the vagaries of war. Brilliantly depicted interactions and reflective decision making under the stresses of battle. Loved it. Semper Fidelis.
Historically accurate. Psychological thriller. Clear understanding of the vagaries of war. Brilliantly depicted interactions and reflective decision making under the stresses of battle. Loved it. Semper Fidelis.
July 23, 2018
No killer McCoy minus a star,still a great series to read.
December 18, 2018
The series continues, and it never misses a beat. The details are fabulous, and the characters so richly described. He brings history to life.
January 4, 2019
Reading book 5, it is keeping my interest
March 23, 2019
Up through the beginning of the Guadalcanal Campaign.
May 11, 2019
Great
As always he never let's you down its always a pleasure to read his books and all 4 of his series are great
As always he never let's you down its always a pleasure to read his books and all 4 of his series are great
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