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Shots Fired in Anger: A Rifleman's View of the Battle of Guadalcanal
This is the story of the Guadalcanal campaign as only a rifleman can tell it. In 'Shots Fired in Anger,' Lieutenant Colonel John B. George recounts his brutal experiences in frontline jungle warfare and examines the weapons, tactics, equipment, and combat mentalities that won and lost the fight. For George, marksmanship was always more than a hobby, it was a preparation for national defense.
When he is inducted into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant, George is shocked to see that the military lacks the same enthusiasm: the troops have not been taught to shoot or to march, and they are commanded by men obsessed with obsolete tactics and eyewash. It is only by desperate negotiating that he is able to secure two days of rifle training for his platoon before they are shipped to the Pacific. On Guadalcanal, George leads from the front with a sniper's calm and a scientist's eye for detail, analyzing what works and what doesn't from the terrifying but suicidal Japanese Banzai charge to the reliable and effective M1 Garand in trial by fire. The author interviews his fellow soldiers, questions prisoners, disassembles captured and borrowed weapons, and uses, commands, and faces these strategies and implements of war on the battlefield. All of this comes together in a fascinating combination of personal memoir and combat dossier. Few other writers have ever been able to rival George's combination of field experience and excellent storytelling.
Laced with informative illustrations and lightened by stories of hunting, drinking, and military jokes played in the face of death, 'Shots Fired in Anger' is one of the most important and entertaining firsthand accounts to arise from WWII.
When he is inducted into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant, George is shocked to see that the military lacks the same enthusiasm: the troops have not been taught to shoot or to march, and they are commanded by men obsessed with obsolete tactics and eyewash. It is only by desperate negotiating that he is able to secure two days of rifle training for his platoon before they are shipped to the Pacific. On Guadalcanal, George leads from the front with a sniper's calm and a scientist's eye for detail, analyzing what works and what doesn't from the terrifying but suicidal Japanese Banzai charge to the reliable and effective M1 Garand in trial by fire. The author interviews his fellow soldiers, questions prisoners, disassembles captured and borrowed weapons, and uses, commands, and faces these strategies and implements of war on the battlefield. All of this comes together in a fascinating combination of personal memoir and combat dossier. Few other writers have ever been able to rival George's combination of field experience and excellent storytelling.
Laced with informative illustrations and lightened by stories of hunting, drinking, and military jokes played in the face of death, 'Shots Fired in Anger' is one of the most important and entertaining firsthand accounts to arise from WWII.
422 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
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479 people want to read
About the author
John B. George
5 books3 followersJohn B. George prepared at Lakeview High School in Princeton, Mo., and went to Princeton University after service in the U.S. Army infantry from 1941 until 1947.
He served in the Pacific and the China-Burma-India theaters and held the rank of lieutenant colonel when demobilized. George served with the 132nd Infantry Regiment/23rd Infantry Division "Americal" on Guadalcanal and the famed Merrill's Marauders (5307th Composite Unit) in Burma.
At Princeton he majored in politics, graduated with highest honors, and won the Atwater Prize in politics. He was a member of Cottage Club.
After graduation, Col. George spent four years at Oxford and then went to British East Africa to study the area and its institutions for four years. Returning to the United States, he settled in Washington, D.C. as executive director of the Institute of African-American Relations. He later joined the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Institute as a consultant, lecturer, and writer on African affairs. Col. George also wrote articles on big-game hunting and nonfiction adventure for several magazines including The Saturday Evening Post and Argosy.
Mr. George's remains are interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
He served in the Pacific and the China-Burma-India theaters and held the rank of lieutenant colonel when demobilized. George served with the 132nd Infantry Regiment/23rd Infantry Division "Americal" on Guadalcanal and the famed Merrill's Marauders (5307th Composite Unit) in Burma.
At Princeton he majored in politics, graduated with highest honors, and won the Atwater Prize in politics. He was a member of Cottage Club.
After graduation, Col. George spent four years at Oxford and then went to British East Africa to study the area and its institutions for four years. Returning to the United States, he settled in Washington, D.C. as executive director of the Institute of African-American Relations. He later joined the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Institute as a consultant, lecturer, and writer on African affairs. Col. George also wrote articles on big-game hunting and nonfiction adventure for several magazines including The Saturday Evening Post and Argosy.
Mr. George's remains are interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
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June 13, 2021
John George was a U.S. Army Infantry officer who saw combat on Guadalcanal and in Burma during WWII. Before the war he had been a competitive shooter and was a natural gun buff. "Shots Fired In Anger" is actually two books in one. The first half is a memoir of his experiences on Guadalcanal from December 42 - February 43. The second half consists of his observations of Japanese infantry weapons and how they were employed by the Japanese - basically a notebook with nicely done line drawings. It's one of the most unique memoirs that I've ever come across. As a firearms buff myself I often find war memoirs to be lacking in detailed descriptions of the equipment. Those books dedicated to the weaponry and equipment ,in turn, often lack detailed descriptions of how they were used. "Shots Fired In Anger" does both very well.
Originally published in 1947 the work is a product of it's time ,but what book isn't? Mr. George does engage in some racial stereotypes (little brown brothers), but I get the impression not nearly as much as he might have done before going off to war. I also would be willing to bet that if you had met Mr. George sixty years later in 2007 (he passed away in 2009) he would probably have told you that people and ideas change. This is a book written by a man in his late twenties at a time when people accepted racial clichés without question....for the most part (especially if those folks were white). Mr. George writes about the weaknesses of the Japanese military, but he also acknowledges those aspects in which they excelled and were better at than Americans. This is not a simplistic jingoistic account of the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Back in print after many years (I can recall seeing a 1981 reprint priced at $50.00 just a few years ago) it's not only a valuable addition to one's military and/or firearms library, but also a fascinating read. Oh what the hell it's a Goodread.
UPDATE 06/13/2021
I was at a local library in one of our outlying communities couple weeks ago. One of those libraries that will hold onto books for decades because they don't have the budget to constantly change out the inventories. This library had been donated the inventory of a defunct used bookstore and was selling the books (along with older books that were no longer exciting readers) to raise money. I found a copy of the 1981 edition of "Shots Fired in Anger". The revised and expanded edition in which Mr. George returned to his work; adding a couple hundred more pages recounting his participation in the the Indian-Burma Campaign (1944-1945) with the United States Army 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). Otherwise known as "Merrill's Marauders". I will provide an update once I finish reading it.
Originally published in 1947 the work is a product of it's time ,but what book isn't? Mr. George does engage in some racial stereotypes (little brown brothers), but I get the impression not nearly as much as he might have done before going off to war. I also would be willing to bet that if you had met Mr. George sixty years later in 2007 (he passed away in 2009) he would probably have told you that people and ideas change. This is a book written by a man in his late twenties at a time when people accepted racial clichés without question....for the most part (especially if those folks were white). Mr. George writes about the weaknesses of the Japanese military, but he also acknowledges those aspects in which they excelled and were better at than Americans. This is not a simplistic jingoistic account of the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Back in print after many years (I can recall seeing a 1981 reprint priced at $50.00 just a few years ago) it's not only a valuable addition to one's military and/or firearms library, but also a fascinating read. Oh what the hell it's a Goodread.
UPDATE 06/13/2021
I was at a local library in one of our outlying communities couple weeks ago. One of those libraries that will hold onto books for decades because they don't have the budget to constantly change out the inventories. This library had been donated the inventory of a defunct used bookstore and was selling the books (along with older books that were no longer exciting readers) to raise money. I found a copy of the 1981 edition of "Shots Fired in Anger". The revised and expanded edition in which Mr. George returned to his work; adding a couple hundred more pages recounting his participation in the the Indian-Burma Campaign (1944-1945) with the United States Army 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). Otherwise known as "Merrill's Marauders". I will provide an update once I finish reading it.
July 15, 2016
If you're a WorldWar Two history buff and a weapons geek, this is the perfect book.
George does a detailed analysis of the weapons, equipment and tactics of the Japanese soldier. He does a similar deconstruction of the American soldier and his weapons.
He is unsparing in his criticisms of each. I was surprised to see how much admiration George had for the Japanese and some of their gear.
I learned a lot from this. I absolutely loved it.
George does a detailed analysis of the weapons, equipment and tactics of the Japanese soldier. He does a similar deconstruction of the American soldier and his weapons.
He is unsparing in his criticisms of each. I was surprised to see how much admiration George had for the Japanese and some of their gear.
I learned a lot from this. I absolutely loved it.
August 18, 2018
The Canal
The writing s on his combat actions on Guadalcanal were well done and very interesting.
The latter half of the book is more suited to people who are interested in the nomenclature of the weapons used in the Pacific campaign on both sides. It is written in minute detail to the point that you could use it to breakdown these weapons, repair and clean them and and return them to functionality.
The writing s on his combat actions on Guadalcanal were well done and very interesting.
The latter half of the book is more suited to people who are interested in the nomenclature of the weapons used in the Pacific campaign on both sides. It is written in minute detail to the point that you could use it to breakdown these weapons, repair and clean them and and return them to functionality.
December 28, 2013
Interesting - with a big detailed part about different japanese and american light weapons
March 12, 2021
A different story of Guadalcanal, the Army 's story
The first 60% of the book was the initial training and how that would relate to actual combat. Then the National Guard is off and fighting,well inland from Henderson Field. very informative.The last 40% covers technical aspects of the various weapons characteristics and their employment. Sometimes a little too deep for me. Still very interesting to any former Infantryman.
The author later joined Merrill 's Marauders in Burma, but did not write much about that in this book.
The first 60% of the book was the initial training and how that would relate to actual combat. Then the National Guard is off and fighting,well inland from Henderson Field. very informative.The last 40% covers technical aspects of the various weapons characteristics and their employment. Sometimes a little too deep for me. Still very interesting to any former Infantryman.
The author later joined Merrill 's Marauders in Burma, but did not write much about that in this book.
September 6, 2018
Technical
Gave this book a three because I wanted to read about the author’s experiences on Guadalcanal and beyond. Toward the end he mentions Burma and serving in Merrill’s Marauders, which would have made for five star (or even higher!) ratings, but instead he detours into a highly technical discussion about Japanese and American armaments involved in the battles. Too much detail for me - I prefer the human side of the story. Merrill’s Marauders would have been more meaningful, as my father-in-law soldiered in that unit but was not one to share his story with family members. Alas!
Gave this book a three because I wanted to read about the author’s experiences on Guadalcanal and beyond. Toward the end he mentions Burma and serving in Merrill’s Marauders, which would have made for five star (or even higher!) ratings, but instead he detours into a highly technical discussion about Japanese and American armaments involved in the battles. Too much detail for me - I prefer the human side of the story. Merrill’s Marauders would have been more meaningful, as my father-in-law soldiered in that unit but was not one to share his story with family members. Alas!
February 6, 2021
Fascinating account of the Guadalcanal campaign by an Army infantry officer. George was a competitive shooter prior to the war and took his own rifle and scope with him to the pacific. The second half of the book is a detailed account of the Japanese weapons and is mostly tailored to the collector or weapons buff. The narrative of the work up and island fighting is excellent. It is honest and at times funny. George went on to fight with Merrill's Marauders in Burma. It's a great loss that he never wrote about it.
March 30, 2020
This could really be two books. The first half is an interesting saga of his time before arriving and during the war on Guadalcanal. I found that to be well written.
The second half is a very detailed look at all of the weapons used by the Japanese and American forces. Having experience with the M1, M1 Carbine, M14, and M16 in the army (1965 -1967), even I was overwhelmed by the detailed descriptions and skipped to the end. I would guess that only a very serious gun person would be interested.
The second half is a very detailed look at all of the weapons used by the Japanese and American forces. Having experience with the M1, M1 Carbine, M14, and M16 in the army (1965 -1967), even I was overwhelmed by the detailed descriptions and skipped to the end. I would guess that only a very serious gun person would be interested.
January 26, 2019
Vivid details of an army officer on Guadalcanal.
The author describes the scenery, smells, and sounds of fighting on Guadalcanal in depth to a point you feel like you are there. He describes the monotony of unloading equipment on the beach to the chaos of battle in the jungle and everything in between. He performs an in depth analysis of weapons used on both sides. A real insight for gunsmiths into that era of Japanese and American weapon designs.
The author describes the scenery, smells, and sounds of fighting on Guadalcanal in depth to a point you feel like you are there. He describes the monotony of unloading equipment on the beach to the chaos of battle in the jungle and everything in between. He performs an in depth analysis of weapons used on both sides. A real insight for gunsmiths into that era of Japanese and American weapon designs.
October 12, 2019
A great account of the Guadalcanal campaign from the perspective of an Army officer. Most of the popular memoirs of this campaign are from enlisted Marines, so it was nice to see the Army's side of the story. The author was heavily involved in competitive shooting competitions prior to the war, and his enthusiasm for firearms is a welcomed addition to the book, as he gives detailed opinions on the various infantry weapons of both American and Japanese forces who fought on Guadalcanal.
September 27, 2018
Excellent
This book was very well written and explained in precise detail about the weapons and tactics utilized in and out of contact to include enemy as well. I would recommend this read to those who understand all facets of ballistics and functionality of rifles, artillery, mortars etc.
This book was very well written and explained in precise detail about the weapons and tactics utilized in and out of contact to include enemy as well. I would recommend this read to those who understand all facets of ballistics and functionality of rifles, artillery, mortars etc.
October 31, 2018
Both entertaining and educational.
This author was there! He experienced the fighting as well as the constant battle with the environment . I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. He was gracious during the last quarter of the book to explain the types of weapons used by both the Americans and the Japanese. Hope this helps!
This author was there! He experienced the fighting as well as the constant battle with the environment . I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. He was gracious during the last quarter of the book to explain the types of weapons used by both the Americans and the Japanese. Hope this helps!
January 3, 2019
Good personal account
The first half of this book provided a great personal account of the battle of Guadalcanal. It’s always interesting to hear an individual soldier’s point of view rather than a historian’s. The second half focused on ordinance. Ours and the Japanese. Interesting but not as compelling as the first half. Still good.
The first half of this book provided a great personal account of the battle of Guadalcanal. It’s always interesting to hear an individual soldier’s point of view rather than a historian’s. The second half focused on ordinance. Ours and the Japanese. Interesting but not as compelling as the first half. Still good.
May 14, 2019
Overly Technical
The 2nd half was devoted to tech specs of WW2 weaponry. Well written, but probably not interesting to the casual reader of wartime history.
This left wanting more information on the author's assignment to Burma, to which there is frequent indirect reference.
The 2nd half was devoted to tech specs of WW2 weaponry. Well written, but probably not interesting to the casual reader of wartime history.
This left wanting more information on the author's assignment to Burma, to which there is frequent indirect reference.
September 17, 2018
A new look at WWll
For me this was anew way of seeing combat. I have read and studied much about WW11 and learned a lot new in this book. Well written told a good story though it is not a story book. Truly enjoyed it.
For me this was anew way of seeing combat. I have read and studied much about WW11 and learned a lot new in this book. Well written told a good story though it is not a story book. Truly enjoyed it.
September 29, 2018
Excellent information
This book is interesting because it gives you the observations of a trained rifleman shortly after the battle. Fascinating evaluation of Japanese vs American weapons and tactics. I gave it four stars because it is a little dry to read
This book is interesting because it gives you the observations of a trained rifleman shortly after the battle. Fascinating evaluation of Japanese vs American weapons and tactics. I gave it four stars because it is a little dry to read
January 6, 2019
Nice piece of weapons history
Nice piece of weapons history, comparing the use of small arms used by the enemy and our own , the mechanical and operations of the weapon system as well as difference in training of individual soldiers
Nice piece of weapons history, comparing the use of small arms used by the enemy and our own , the mechanical and operations of the weapon system as well as difference in training of individual soldiers
June 23, 2019
Good detailed review of the most common infantry weapons.
A detailed analysis of the good and not so good features of the standard weapons issues and used by troops in Pacific theater.
The evaluations of Japanese weapons is particularly interesting.
A detailed analysis of the good and not so good features of the standard weapons issues and used by troops in Pacific theater.
The evaluations of Japanese weapons is particularly interesting.
August 25, 2019
Short and easy
Interesting and technical, personal experiences are rife in this book. An easy read with many stories, the second part is a reflection on weapons and tactics. I liked it all really since I knew so little about the early Pacific theatre. Recommended
Interesting and technical, personal experiences are rife in this book. An easy read with many stories, the second part is a reflection on weapons and tactics. I liked it all really since I knew so little about the early Pacific theatre. Recommended
July 4, 2019
The first part of the book is about an infantry offer's experience fighting the Japs. The rest of the book is taken up on his experiences with military weapons.
November 27, 2020
Went into it not sure of what I was getting. Finished it down to the last detail.Enjoyed every minute!!!
January 5, 2024
Very much a book of book halves.
Very interesting book by a US infantry officer about his units first deployment to combat on Guadalcanal. I have to admit, that I was under the impression that Guadalcanal was purely a USMC show, but it seems not!
The first half of the book, tells about the authors shooting experience in the US, joining the National Guard, the NG being activated, training and going to the 'canel.
He tells of his experiences of landing, shifting stores, going into combat, problems with higher command and more
The second half is basically a review of Japanese and US weaponry as used on the island. It seems to be very frank and honest and he's , in the main, enthusiastic about the Japanese kit, but not so much about his own.
There are no photos, but some nice sketches of weapons at the end.
One downside, for me, is that part one ends with the author joining Merril's Marauders. I'd rather read about that, then the weapons bit! I'll have to look for more books by J B George.
Very interesting book by a US infantry officer about his units first deployment to combat on Guadalcanal. I have to admit, that I was under the impression that Guadalcanal was purely a USMC show, but it seems not!
The first half of the book, tells about the authors shooting experience in the US, joining the National Guard, the NG being activated, training and going to the 'canel.
He tells of his experiences of landing, shifting stores, going into combat, problems with higher command and more
The second half is basically a review of Japanese and US weaponry as used on the island. It seems to be very frank and honest and he's , in the main, enthusiastic about the Japanese kit, but not so much about his own.
There are no photos, but some nice sketches of weapons at the end.
One downside, for me, is that part one ends with the author joining Merril's Marauders. I'd rather read about that, then the weapons bit! I'll have to look for more books by J B George.
March 9, 2019
A good book on the U. S. Army's involvement in the battle of Guadalcanal. The author was a Lt. in the Army and performed as a sniper although he was not specifically trained as one. The Army's mission was to finish the battle for Gaudalcanal that the USMC began. He does not belittle the job the Marines did and he does not over blow the Army's job. I would have rated the book higher except Mr. George spends over 1/3 of the book writing a review of Japanese weapons and approached the review as as gunsmith or armorer. Unless you have a real interest in weapons this section of the book tends to be a little much.
March 29, 2022
I'm not a gun person or a weapons expert, just interested in history. I recently read other WW II in the Pacific books including "With the Old Breed" and "Helmet for My Pillow", and "Shots Fired in Anger" was every bit as interesting and eye opening. Each of the books has the author's own flavor and point of view, and tells a variety of stories. Also interesting are little side notes throughout describing the Japanese soldiers, equipment and their way of doing things. Just little factoids that fill in the big picture and don't get in the way of the story. I found the language and writing to be too notch and this book (like "Breed" and "Helmet") was a page turner. Recommended!
November 6, 2018
Good Historical information from the WWII Pacific campaign. This author loves weapons and goes into infinite detail about each weapon he encounters, both Axis and Allied. This was a bit over the top in many cases, there is so much detail that one could almost reconstruct some of the weapons from the information included. There was also much commentary on tactics and weapons design and use that was of great interest to me, but it also was a bit off topic. I do recommend this book, but with reservations related to the preceding notes.
December 25, 2025
Major disappointment.
If you want and expect a gritty in the mud telling of an Army lieutenant leading his platoon through the jungle of Guadalcanal...this is not it. If you want to know what his experience was in The Marauders...there's not one word. Inexplicable. This is a mostly boring 50,000 foot view of the Army campaign. Also Inexplicable is the latter third of the book is consumed by his detailed observations on Japanese weapons used there. There's probably ten people on the planet that care and you're likely not one of them. This book is a hard pass.
If you want and expect a gritty in the mud telling of an Army lieutenant leading his platoon through the jungle of Guadalcanal...this is not it. If you want to know what his experience was in The Marauders...there's not one word. Inexplicable. This is a mostly boring 50,000 foot view of the Army campaign. Also Inexplicable is the latter third of the book is consumed by his detailed observations on Japanese weapons used there. There's probably ten people on the planet that care and you're likely not one of them. This book is a hard pass.
February 22, 2019
In the first half of the book, the author paints vivid pictures of his experiences on Guadalcanal but makes little mention of his time in Burma with Merrill's Marauders. The second half of the book is dedicated to finely detailed analysis of every Japanese and US field weapon used during his time on Guadalcanal with some references to German, British and French weapons, as well. I bought the book thinking it was going to be more about the first half.
October 15, 2019
It took awhile . Involved with other history books and finally got back to this one... I thoroughly enjoyed this book...
The end was quite prophetic. After WWII we've been in conflicts since then and have done no better. Now the main problem is keeping guns out of the hands of irresponsible people... His help us.
The end was quite prophetic. After WWII we've been in conflicts since then and have done no better. Now the main problem is keeping guns out of the hands of irresponsible people... His help us.
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November 12, 2021Terrible!
I have read many military history books but this was by far the worst. Boring writing style, so much useless minutiae that I couldn't even finish the book. There are many great books dealing with Guadalcanal out there but this is not one of them. Do yourself a favor and leave this one alone.
I have read many military history books but this was by far the worst. Boring writing style, so much useless minutiae that I couldn't even finish the book. There are many great books dealing with Guadalcanal out there but this is not one of them. Do yourself a favor and leave this one alone.
January 24, 2026
This isn't entirely a memoir
It gets really technical the last 1/2-1/3 of the book. Like how they (The Japanese) fired their weapons, the way they held their weapons, their preferred shootings positions, what the weapons sounded like, the difference between their weapons and our weapons...
It became tedious to read.
It gets really technical the last 1/2-1/3 of the book. Like how they (The Japanese) fired their weapons, the way they held their weapons, their preferred shootings positions, what the weapons sounded like, the difference between their weapons and our weapons...
It became tedious to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews