Beach Red: Issue in Doubt: The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand

by J. Eugene Porter

The last few months of 1943 are a time of turmoil, triumph and tragedy. The Allies are on the march in Italy, the South Pacific and all along the Eastern Front. In Great Britain, thousands of Americans arrive each week, preparing for the inevitable invasion of Nazi occupied Europe. Deadly games of espionage are underway within the borders of neutral countries as both sides attempt to uncover secret new weapons of war. The Science Team is deployed on the battle front and also becomes more involved in planning the enemy’s destruction. Bravery, tactics, logistics and the production of the tools of war will determine the ultimate victory. But first, the new Central Pacific Strategy must be tested on a sand pit of an island named Tarawa...at Beach Red.

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2023

Reviews

[Fred Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying the story and remembrances

As a history buff, particularly WWII, I have enjoyed the author’s series immensely. As an aside, my father was a reserve officer with the US Navy and participated in many of the battles for the islands covered in the last 2 books. It wasn’t until late in his life that he talked about places like Tarawa, Eniwetok & Saipan and his descriptions were pretty exact as to the author’s. While there have been many tomes written about WWII in the Pacific, to me it’s the ones like this series that personalize the descriptions of scenes and characters and give a feel for what they went through. It also gives a sense as the stories expand forward of the scope of the war. Kudus to Mr. Porter!! As a last personal note; its interesting to put faces to names that I recall meeting many of the navy commanders and captain that are real men in these pages as a child on various navy bases, thanks again to the authors.

[Jim Purcell]

This series will serve as a very comprehensive review of US military activities in WW2. Looking through a logistics scrying glass does provide an interesting and often overlooked viewpoint for examining the before, execution, and aftermath of battles. Egregious command errors created the Tarawas and Savo Islands as it became evident that our senior officers were ill-prepared and often not capable of providing the leadership that warfighting required. Clark should have been fired in Italy and ended up making similar mistakes in Normandy. Unfortunately, he was typical of the leadership rather than the exception, that West Point and Annapolis provided. The few good men also made mistakes but they learned from them.

[Thomas D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series that takes you into WWII places & events seldom visited in this detail.

Great characters, Action, Insights into the leaders & the major requirements to support the battles. Even some interesting Romance.
Very well written, spellbound all the way through, good suspence at times also.
Views into all allies from US & ENGLAND to Russia & China, as well as the Axies Powers GERMANY, ITALY, & JAPAN.
EUROPE, MED, & PACIFIC AREAS.
GROUND - ARMY & MARINES + WOMEN'S CORPS as well.
Something for everone.

[CATHY BARBER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Fronts

Another outstanding book continuing the data of James Brand and the team in World War Two. J. Eugene Porter has a style the makes the reader not just a war history enthusiast but draws you in to the characters and their story. Fact filled with the added story of these wonderful men and women who are some scarred heroes and all dedicated patriots to their cause.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I being a young teenager during this period of time, was aware of many of the battle actions described, as they were repotted in the news. It was thus enjoyable to get even a fictional further descriptions of them thru this novel..

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The James Brand series is an outstanding approach to the history of WWII. The outstanding advancement in science and technology seem alive and understandable to a layman, while not distorting the facts Truly a novel approach to living history

[Henry Fradkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next Book

Can't wait for the next James Brand book! Exciting and informative as usual. Always enjoy the interaction of the main chau.

[Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japanese belief flawed

I like the explanation of the
Japanese mindset ,where failure is compounded by refusal to see the reality. I like that the story stays true to history

[Robert Kohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geography

Maps would help readers see a clearer picture of locations and battle tactics. As now, I need to have an atlas nearby.