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The Green Hell
A gritty and gut-wrenching story of Midwestern unfortunates who drew the shortest stick of World War II. They were the first U.S. Army division sent into combat and had the misfortune to be the spearhead of General Douglas MacArthur’s first inept offensive against the Japanese in New Guinea. Told they would face a push-over – a starving, sickened enemy -- the green 32nd Infantry Division found itself outnumbered and outgunned by veteran Japanese troops, adversaries of unparalleled tenacity quite at home in New Guinea’s impenetrable jungles and fetid malarial swamps.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2017
193 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Payne
9 books13 followersI grew up in Kansas City and am a product of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. After interning at the Kansas City Star, I did 1.3 hitch in the Army in Korea, Vietnam and -- worst of all -- Washington, D.C.
I returned to journalism but, tired of tropical weather, moved to Michigan where I've lived ever since, during that time doing graduate work at the University of Michigan.
Though retired now, I've been unable to stop writing. My first novel, A Corporal No More, will arrive on Kindle soon and I'm well underway on a second book.
I returned to journalism but, tired of tropical weather, moved to Michigan where I've lived ever since, during that time doing graduate work at the University of Michigan.
Though retired now, I've been unable to stop writing. My first novel, A Corporal No More, will arrive on Kindle soon and I'm well underway on a second book.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 8, 2019
MacArthur Fans Don’t Read
I really enjoyed the fact that Mr. Payne pulled no punches vis a vis his analysis of King Douglas and his cast of lemmings. I’ve never been a fan of dugout Doug.
As to the novel, it certainly reads like a nonfiction book. The author really did his research and was spot on with his portrayal of the battles.
I really liked his use of Australian vernacular, brought authenticity to the book
It was horrible to read about all the non battle injury cases. The diseases those men suffered was terrifying.
Any World War II buff should enjoy this book. Told from the grunts POV, which history often never does.
I really enjoyed the fact that Mr. Payne pulled no punches vis a vis his analysis of King Douglas and his cast of lemmings. I’ve never been a fan of dugout Doug.
As to the novel, it certainly reads like a nonfiction book. The author really did his research and was spot on with his portrayal of the battles.
I really liked his use of Australian vernacular, brought authenticity to the book
It was horrible to read about all the non battle injury cases. The diseases those men suffered was terrifying.
Any World War II buff should enjoy this book. Told from the grunts POV, which history often never does.
April 5, 2018
Dad was there too.
My father was in New Guinea with the 32nd Division. He ended up with malaria and they used radiation to save his feet. We asked him about it but he would only ask us the question "do u know how long it takes for a body to rot in the jungle. I was so glad I read this book it explained alot. My brother is reading it too Thanks so much.
My father was in New Guinea with the 32nd Division. He ended up with malaria and they used radiation to save his feet. We asked him about it but he would only ask us the question "do u know how long it takes for a body to rot in the jungle. I was so glad I read this book it explained alot. My brother is reading it too Thanks so much.
April 15, 2022
Great reading and very informative
Its a same many officers egos and ambitions Get in the way of being a decent commander. Being an enlist end man then going to OCS I realized the
Sarge it's knew a he'll of a lot more about the it specialities than I ever would. My job was to guide my men.
Its a same many officers egos and ambitions Get in the way of being a decent commander. Being an enlist end man then going to OCS I realized the
Sarge it's knew a he'll of a lot more about the it specialities than I ever would. My job was to guide my men.
October 15, 2018
A Winner
One can smell the cordite and hear the explosions. This book takes you into the heat of battle. It’s much like the old TV show,
You are There and you are! One to read and enjoy.
One can smell the cordite and hear the explosions. This book takes you into the heat of battle. It’s much like the old TV show,
You are There and you are! One to read and enjoy.
January 21, 2019
Excellent WWII pacific theater novel
Novel develops character and provides enough detail of surroundings and battle action that you feel you are actually there. Pacific theater is often only of navy and marines. Army only is to mop up. This novel dispels that myth.
Novel develops character and provides enough detail of surroundings and battle action that you feel you are actually there. Pacific theater is often only of navy and marines. Army only is to mop up. This novel dispels that myth.
September 24, 2020
Lots of action, grim details,
Interesting, though gruesome description of jungle warfare, told in a believable, first-hand way. A few too many typos got in the way of my "reading flow." Shame to tarnish good work with such carelessness .
Interesting, though gruesome description of jungle warfare, told in a believable, first-hand way. A few too many typos got in the way of my "reading flow." Shame to tarnish good work with such carelessness .
March 17, 2018
Blood & guts
Want to know the real infantry, this gives a great description. Unfortunetly America never seemed to do well in jungle warfare.
Want to know the real infantry, this gives a great description. Unfortunetly America never seemed to do well in jungle warfare.
September 29, 2018
Well done
This is well written. Well thought out. And most importantly character driven with depth. Really enjoyed this work. Will look for more from the author for certain.
This is well written. Well thought out. And most importantly character driven with depth. Really enjoyed this work. Will look for more from the author for certain.
November 26, 2018
Interesting read
Like the characters, story line, and pace of the book. Every once in awhile I would have liked a lot more detail regarding important action in the book.
Like the characters, story line, and pace of the book. Every once in awhile I would have liked a lot more detail regarding important action in the book.
June 12, 2019
Good read
Action, character development
, realistic combat dynamics. A real page turner. Ready for the next one by Scott Payne. Well done.
Action, character development
, realistic combat dynamics. A real page turner. Ready for the next one by Scott Payne. Well done.
July 1, 2019
Very graphic. Made you hurt or itch at times during the book. Writer, as many others, didn't care for Douglas MacArther or his entourage. The book was, as the bttle was, slow moving.
June 19, 2022
Fighting Japanese and MscArthur
A rotten place to fight. Wonder anyone survived. No one unscathed. Buns is festering he'll. All in all a very good read.
A rotten place to fight. Wonder anyone survived. No one unscathed. Buns is festering he'll. All in all a very good read.
October 21, 2017
Must read!
I am in love with this author! His books are wonderfully descriptive and you get to know the characters intimately. The Green Hell tells a little known story about WWII battles in New Guinea. I couldn't put it down and strongly suggest reading this book!
I am in love with this author! His books are wonderfully descriptive and you get to know the characters intimately. The Green Hell tells a little known story about WWII battles in New Guinea. I couldn't put it down and strongly suggest reading this book!
November 12, 2017
A truly exciting story
Being young enough to miss world war two. But in the Korean conflict, the stories about General Mac Arthur and his staff were what we also heard and experience
Being young enough to miss world war two. But in the Korean conflict, the stories about General Mac Arthur and his staff were what we also heard and experience
July 15, 2017
Decent read
Not a bad read. At times was anxious to turn the next page.. I think you will enjoy it. I think it will be well worth your time!
Not a bad read. At times was anxious to turn the next page.. I think you will enjoy it. I think it will be well worth your time!
August 10, 2017
Very good, spellbinding true stort it seemed ..
Read it for a true look into warfare with the Japanese. The Aussies, tough as nails, are given due credit.
Read it for a true look into warfare with the Japanese. The Aussies, tough as nails, are given due credit.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews