Given Up for Dead (Sloan)

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of military history, and when I saw this book I decided to give it a try. I’m really glad I did. As a Marine, I was familiar with the outline of what happened on Wake in December 1941, but I had no idea how tenacious and brave the defenders were, what kind of odds they faced, or what kind of obstacles they had to overcome. Sloan’s account is riveting; unlike Bradley’s Flags of Our Fathers, there’s more emphasis on the actual battle than on the personalities involved. Having said that, it’s clear that Sloan spent a great deal of time interviewing survivors, because the book’s liberally sprinkled with quotes and anecdotes that help drive home just how bravely the Marines, sailors, and civilians (!) who were on Wake fought. Stirring and highly recommended.