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War in the Far East #3
Asian Armageddon, 1944–45
A gripping account of the final period of the war in the Asia Pacific during WWII.
The last installment of the War in the Far East trilogy, Asian Armageddon 1944-1945, continues and completes the narrative of the first two volumes, describing how a US-led coalition of nations battled Japan into submission through a series of cataclysmic encounters. Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle ever, was testimony to the paramount importance of controlling the ocean, as was the fact that the US Navy carried out the only successful submarine campaign in history, reducing Japan’s military and merchant navies to shadows of the former selves. Meanwhile, fighting continued in disparate geographic conditions on land, with the chaos of Imphal, the inferno of Manila, and the carnage of Iwo Jima forming some of the milestones on the bloody road to peace, sealed in Tokyo Bay in September 1945. The nuclear blasts at the end of the war made one observer feel as if he was ‘present at the creation.' Indeed, the participants in the events in the Asia Pacific in the mid-1940s were present at the creation of a new and dangerous world. It was a world where the stage was set for the Cold War and for international rivalries that last to this day, and a new constellation of powers emerged, with the outlines, just over the horizon, of a rising China.
War in the Far East is a trilogy of books comprising a general history of World War II in the Asia Pacific. Unlike other histories on the conflict it goes into its deep origins, beginning long before Pearl Harbor, and encompasses a far wider group of actors to produce the most complete account yet written on the subject and the first truly international treatment of this epic conflict. Author Peter Harmsen weaves together complex events into a revealing and entertaining narrative, including facets of the war that may be unknown even to avid readers of World War II history, from the mass starvation that cost the lives of millions across China, Indochina, and India to the war in sub-arctic conditions in the Aleutians. Harmsen pieces together the full range of perspectives, reflecting what war was like both at the top and on the ground.
The last installment of the War in the Far East trilogy, Asian Armageddon 1944-1945, continues and completes the narrative of the first two volumes, describing how a US-led coalition of nations battled Japan into submission through a series of cataclysmic encounters. Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle ever, was testimony to the paramount importance of controlling the ocean, as was the fact that the US Navy carried out the only successful submarine campaign in history, reducing Japan’s military and merchant navies to shadows of the former selves. Meanwhile, fighting continued in disparate geographic conditions on land, with the chaos of Imphal, the inferno of Manila, and the carnage of Iwo Jima forming some of the milestones on the bloody road to peace, sealed in Tokyo Bay in September 1945. The nuclear blasts at the end of the war made one observer feel as if he was ‘present at the creation.' Indeed, the participants in the events in the Asia Pacific in the mid-1940s were present at the creation of a new and dangerous world. It was a world where the stage was set for the Cold War and for international rivalries that last to this day, and a new constellation of powers emerged, with the outlines, just over the horizon, of a rising China.
War in the Far East is a trilogy of books comprising a general history of World War II in the Asia Pacific. Unlike other histories on the conflict it goes into its deep origins, beginning long before Pearl Harbor, and encompasses a far wider group of actors to produce the most complete account yet written on the subject and the first truly international treatment of this epic conflict. Author Peter Harmsen weaves together complex events into a revealing and entertaining narrative, including facets of the war that may be unknown even to avid readers of World War II history, from the mass starvation that cost the lives of millions across China, Indochina, and India to the war in sub-arctic conditions in the Aleutians. Harmsen pieces together the full range of perspectives, reflecting what war was like both at the top and on the ground.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2021
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135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2022
The final installment of the very satisfying trilogy of the Japanese conflict during World War II. Each of these three books are a bit shorter than your average history / war book and they probably could be combined into one larger volume. I think, though, that the author decided to release each installment as it was written, so a future compendium of all three might one day occur. Although these volumes are short, they’re not TOO short. In fact, many would probably prefer the 250-page or so length.
The brevity has advantages. This book, like its two predecessors is very easy to comprehend and never allows itself to get too bogged down in the weeds. Even though the book covers two whole years of the war, it moves quickly. The author does a very nice job of covering all the bases. The main focus here are the actual battles that were fought, Peter Harmesen keeps it high level and wisely includes plenty of maps so the reader can stay focused with the many unfamiliar locations.
Although the United States of America was Japan’s main adversary during the conflict, this book also includes the many conflicts with neighboring China as well as Japan’s colonization of the many nations in Southeast Asia. Entire books could (and have) been written on the majority of “events” in this book, so if the reader is wanting more than author Harmsen’s somewhat brief chapters, it’s comforting to know that one’s knowledge doesn't need to be limited to only what is here.
There are many postwar reflections included; mostly from former U.S. and Japanese soldiers, so it’s nice to have a lot of firsthand reflections of the tragedies. There were portions of the book that were hard to stomach. We must never forget that Japan was an incredibly cruel adversary, and whereas war is always “hell”, this was an unbelievably demonic nation in how it treated its enemies. The reflections on how the Japanese military treated its neighboring China during its initial conquest and how American POWs were treated makes one ponder how the U.S. could be so magnanimous once the war finally ended and the U.S. “took over” the nation of Japan. It’s definitely one of highlights of the history of the United States. Most other nations would not be nearly as forgiving.
Such atrocities make the dropping of the atom bomb(s) much more acceptable. True, such an event should never be looked at with glee, but based on the psyche of the Japanese enemy, there really wasn’t much choice. The Japanese people didn’t comprehend the term “surrender” and were literally prepared to fight until the last man, woman, and child was killed. So as horrible as Hiroshima and Nagasaki were, one feels as though just as many lives, if not more, would have been lost had this been a conventional war that potentially could last several more years. We must also remember that many of those fatalities would have been the numerous young U.S. soldiers who should have been back home hanging around the malt shop as opposed to fighting in the treacherous jungles of Southeast Asia.
I must reiterate, everything here is the “Cliffs Notes” version of the actual events which is Harmsen’s intention. He covers an awful lot, but keeps his reflections manageable. I would conclude by saying if you’re unfamiliar with most of the details of World War II and are looking for a good primer to introduce you to conflict in the Japan theater, this book and the two before it would make an excellent start.
The brevity has advantages. This book, like its two predecessors is very easy to comprehend and never allows itself to get too bogged down in the weeds. Even though the book covers two whole years of the war, it moves quickly. The author does a very nice job of covering all the bases. The main focus here are the actual battles that were fought, Peter Harmesen keeps it high level and wisely includes plenty of maps so the reader can stay focused with the many unfamiliar locations.
Although the United States of America was Japan’s main adversary during the conflict, this book also includes the many conflicts with neighboring China as well as Japan’s colonization of the many nations in Southeast Asia. Entire books could (and have) been written on the majority of “events” in this book, so if the reader is wanting more than author Harmsen’s somewhat brief chapters, it’s comforting to know that one’s knowledge doesn't need to be limited to only what is here.
There are many postwar reflections included; mostly from former U.S. and Japanese soldiers, so it’s nice to have a lot of firsthand reflections of the tragedies. There were portions of the book that were hard to stomach. We must never forget that Japan was an incredibly cruel adversary, and whereas war is always “hell”, this was an unbelievably demonic nation in how it treated its enemies. The reflections on how the Japanese military treated its neighboring China during its initial conquest and how American POWs were treated makes one ponder how the U.S. could be so magnanimous once the war finally ended and the U.S. “took over” the nation of Japan. It’s definitely one of highlights of the history of the United States. Most other nations would not be nearly as forgiving.
Such atrocities make the dropping of the atom bomb(s) much more acceptable. True, such an event should never be looked at with glee, but based on the psyche of the Japanese enemy, there really wasn’t much choice. The Japanese people didn’t comprehend the term “surrender” and were literally prepared to fight until the last man, woman, and child was killed. So as horrible as Hiroshima and Nagasaki were, one feels as though just as many lives, if not more, would have been lost had this been a conventional war that potentially could last several more years. We must also remember that many of those fatalities would have been the numerous young U.S. soldiers who should have been back home hanging around the malt shop as opposed to fighting in the treacherous jungles of Southeast Asia.
I must reiterate, everything here is the “Cliffs Notes” version of the actual events which is Harmsen’s intention. He covers an awful lot, but keeps his reflections manageable. I would conclude by saying if you’re unfamiliar with most of the details of World War II and are looking for a good primer to introduce you to conflict in the Japan theater, this book and the two before it would make an excellent start.
June 12, 2022
This is the third of a series of books on the War in the Pacific. It is a very informational series. If you know a lot about the war in the pacific, this particular book won't add much to your knowledge. The most informational part for me was about the campaigns in China and other regions. We don't hear as much about those as Americans were less involved. If you read all three, you'll learn a lot about the war in the Pacific, especially in China and SE Asia, as the first book begins in 1931 with Japan's campaigns there.
November 25, 2021
Harmsen does a great job demonstrating the vast reach—geographically and culturally—of the war against Japan. Geographically it simultaneously spanned the breadth of the Pacific and the Asian mainland. Culturally it included Americans, British, Chinese, Indians… the list goes on. Chapter by chapter, Harmsen drops you right into the middle of the action as you follow the war inexorably toward its climactic conclusion.
January 10, 2022
Excellent history of the conflict in Asia and the Pacific
What I particularly enjoyed about Hanson's trilogy on the war with Japan is his examination of the overall conflict. Unlike many books looking at the war he looks at every theater of operations, from the start of Japanese operations in China during the early 30's to is end in 1945. It looks at the war from a strategic perspective.
What I particularly enjoyed about Hanson's trilogy on the war with Japan is his examination of the overall conflict. Unlike many books looking at the war he looks at every theater of operations, from the start of Japanese operations in China during the early 30's to is end in 1945. It looks at the war from a strategic perspective.
January 30, 2024
Harmsen concludes his trilogy of the World War II and Japan's fight.
Why I started this book: Always interesting to learn more about this global war.
Why I finished it: Because Harmsen focused on Japan's timeline and not the usual American-centric, this whole trilogy has a different timeline and rhythm. This edition flew by, while still adding new knowledge and perspectives to my understanding of the Pacific theater.
Why I started this book: Always interesting to learn more about this global war.
Why I finished it: Because Harmsen focused on Japan's timeline and not the usual American-centric, this whole trilogy has a different timeline and rhythm. This edition flew by, while still adding new knowledge and perspectives to my understanding of the Pacific theater.
January 28, 2022
Excellent End to the Trilogy
Well written, detailed history of the last two years of the Asia-Pacific War. It includes information on the war in Burma (Myanmar), Indochina -- focused on Vietnam --and the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) usually omitted from other histories.
Well written, detailed history of the last two years of the Asia-Pacific War. It includes information on the war in Burma (Myanmar), Indochina -- focused on Vietnam --and the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) usually omitted from other histories.
September 17, 2021
These three volumes, read one after the other, give an excellent narrative of the course of the war.
September 19, 2021
I read the three-book series which I honestly didn't expect to do. A good informative read.
August 6, 2022
Excellent treatment of an important event.
December 19, 2022
Great
I have finished the series now and I must say I loved particularly the first one because it was the one I knew less about
I have finished the series now and I must say I loved particularly the first one because it was the one I knew less about
April 15, 2023
A well written, concise history of the latter half of the Pacific War that could easily have been expanded.
May 28, 2022
A solid conclusion to Peter Harmsen's "War in the Far East" trilogy.
[Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author on the condition that I would publish a review of it]
How the tables turn...
By January 1944, the writing was pretty much on the wall as far as Japan's ambitions in Asia and the Pacific went. Attacked on all fronts, as Peter Harmsen admirably explores, the war resisted any Japanese attempt to regain the initiative: not kamikazes, nor prospective "decisive" naval battles, nor even the "Hail Mary" of the Ichigo offensive in China -- which captured large swaths of the country's southwest at relative cheap cost -- could avert the catastrophe of defeat.
Yet still the Japanese fought on. In the jungles of Burma, the plains of China and on the islands of the central and south Pacific, American, British Imperial and Chinese soldiers continued to die as Japan fought doggedly from every inch of ground. Once again, Harmsen is faced with the difficult challenge of synthesizing a vast amount of research into a narrative of exactly 186 pages. As I mentioned in my review of Japan Runs Wild, 1942–1943, this is by no means an easy task. However, I personally think that Harmsen has very much succeed in his final outing, especially compared to what I felt was the somewhat scattershot nature of the previous entry.
Overall, this is an engaging narrative propelled forward by a wide variety of accounts by participants on all side the conflict: Allied as well as Japanese, civilian as well as military, Westerners as well as Asian natives. Moreover, the quality of Harmsen's research, citing a plethora of academic studies and primary sources, makes for a nice balance between readability and rigor. There are a few points I could quibble with (Mamoru Shigimitsu did not lose his leg to a "Chinese bomb," (p. 172) but rather to a Korean one: thrown by independence advocate Yun Bong-gil). But these issues are few and far between. Overall, this is a wonderful conclusion to Harmsen's trilogy and I recommend all three books heatedly to anyone who wants an introductory survey of the Pacific War.
4.5/5 stars.
[Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author on the condition that I would publish a review of it]
How the tables turn...
By January 1944, the writing was pretty much on the wall as far as Japan's ambitions in Asia and the Pacific went. Attacked on all fronts, as Peter Harmsen admirably explores, the war resisted any Japanese attempt to regain the initiative: not kamikazes, nor prospective "decisive" naval battles, nor even the "Hail Mary" of the Ichigo offensive in China -- which captured large swaths of the country's southwest at relative cheap cost -- could avert the catastrophe of defeat.
Yet still the Japanese fought on. In the jungles of Burma, the plains of China and on the islands of the central and south Pacific, American, British Imperial and Chinese soldiers continued to die as Japan fought doggedly from every inch of ground. Once again, Harmsen is faced with the difficult challenge of synthesizing a vast amount of research into a narrative of exactly 186 pages. As I mentioned in my review of Japan Runs Wild, 1942–1943, this is by no means an easy task. However, I personally think that Harmsen has very much succeed in his final outing, especially compared to what I felt was the somewhat scattershot nature of the previous entry.
Overall, this is an engaging narrative propelled forward by a wide variety of accounts by participants on all side the conflict: Allied as well as Japanese, civilian as well as military, Westerners as well as Asian natives. Moreover, the quality of Harmsen's research, citing a plethora of academic studies and primary sources, makes for a nice balance between readability and rigor. There are a few points I could quibble with (Mamoru Shigimitsu did not lose his leg to a "Chinese bomb," (p. 172) but rather to a Korean one: thrown by independence advocate Yun Bong-gil). But these issues are few and far between. Overall, this is a wonderful conclusion to Harmsen's trilogy and I recommend all three books heatedly to anyone who wants an introductory survey of the Pacific War.
4.5/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews