Works such as ‘Guam’ serve a vital purpose in ensuring that our understanding of what it was to be a front line Marine or GI in the island invasions of the Pacific War. Whilst the strategic histories of both the Second World War and the Pacific campaign itself convey some sense of the scale of the fighting, it is not until the reader is confronted with the grim reality of what phrases like ‘casualties were relatively light’ or ‘the marines were subjected to a deadly counter attack during the exploitation phase’ actually meant in practice.

James Hallas has undertaken extensive and exhaustive research into the experiences of those involved in the fighting: Americans, Japanese and Guam civilian inhabitants. The way in which many first hand accounts are woven together to give a coherent account of what was necessarily a confused and confusing series of actions gives the reader some limited insight into the appalling experiences of those who took part.

For those of us who have enjoyed 7 plus decades of relative peace since the Second World War it seems impossible that young men, typically late teens or early twenties, could press forward against overwhelming firepower directed at the landing beaches and the subsequent overland advances.. Accounts of selfless heroism abound, as do the casual way that death selected those who would die. The author does not spare the reader what infantry combat on Guam was like, and nor should he. It is important that we understand fully what deploying military personnel can mean when fighting begins.

James Hallas has done the men who fought and died on Guam a well-deserved service, whether American, Japanese or the local Guam civilian population.

This very detailed and thoroughly researched account of the events occurring in and around the Pacific Island of Guam with the Japanese invasion and the subsequent US retaking of the Island. Guam is one of only two established US territories, the other is Wake Island, that were invaded and occupied by the Japanese during WWII. The strategic military scene is rather well described as well as the senior officers on both sides display their strengths and weaknesses throughout the Battle.
The book goes into considerable details of individual experiences of the indigenous population, the Chamorros, the US military of all involved branches and the Japanese forces. Many of these details are harrowing to read but this is, in my opinion, necessary to convey the horrors of war and how it changes the individual in so many ways from ‘normal’ daily life.
Fram a military perspective, the detail of all the actions really identify the chaos of war that occurs with rushed planning, over ambitious outcomes and unfortunate tactical decisions. Unfortunately, this also leads to avoidable casualties and one again highlights the human cost of conflicts. That cost is also shown in this book that was paid by the thousands of Chamorros who were caught in the middle of the battle and displaced by the Japanese into open concentration areas with no support at all and left to fend for themselves.

When it comes to the fighting in the Marianas during World War II, the fighting on Guam seems to end up as mostly a footnote. Captured by the Japanese in the early days after Pearl Harbor, its re-capture by the Americans gets overshadowed by the massive fleet engagement (the Marianas Turkey Shoot) and the vicious fighting on Saipan, not to mention the bitter Army-Marine controversy which arose from that battle.

Author Hallas has worked really hard to shine a spotlight on this less than famous battle, and succeeded brilliantly. Starting with the state of Guam in the days leading up to Pearl Harbor, followed by the Japanese invasion and subsequent rule, Hallas sets the stage for the battle to come. Once the Americans arrive to re-take the island, the book is nearly non-stop in its descriptions of combat. Be warned: much of the combat description is VERY graphic and involves repeated accounts of Japanese and American soldiers being killed in extremely horrible ways. While the battle was not on the same scale as others in the Pacific War, it was no less savage in many ways.

What I like best about this book is that it's told mostly from the perspectives of those who were there: American Marines and soldiers, Japanese soldiers and native Chamorros from Guam. The narrative never gets bogged down and fluctuates from one side to the other during many of the campaign's battles. Given that the Japanese hardly ever surrendered, it was really interesting to see recollections from Japanese survivors. There also is some interesting information on Japanese soldiers who continued to hide out long after the war had ended, as well as some Americans who hid out during the Japanese occupation.

Nice collection of photos and fairly decent amount of maps.

A great book to read if you want to know more about this seldom-discussed battle.

'Guam: The Battle For An American Island in World War II' by James H. Hallas. This book was an extremely well-researched and detailed nonfiction about one of the battles between US and Japan in World War II as the US attempted to regain control in these islands.

My understanding of the battle was very limited before I started this novel. I found that Hallas has a comprehensive take on the battle. Documenting history that pre possessed the battle itself, I gained a view of the Island as a whole. This benefited in my understanding of Guam that was a particularly poignant place for both sides of the battle.

The writing was while completely comprehensive, it was also engaging when discussing the historical and social setting. Although the often heavy described warfare went a bit over my head as I was unfamiliar with the terminology and warfare described.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys non-fiction about world war II.

GUAM: THE BATTLE FOR AN AMERICAN ISLAND IN WORLD WAR II by James H. Hallas is a sequel to 'Saipan: The Battle That Doomed Japan in World War II.' Both books can be read as standalones, but in tandem, they provide a broader understanding of American and Japanese military strategy.

The Japanese viewed the Marianas—Guam and Saipan—as a vital defensive line, not least because planes from these islands could easily reach targets within Japan. The orders to the defendants of both islands were similar: fight till the last man. That's where the similarities end. Saipan had been Japanese territory before the war, with Japanese nationals as the majority of the population. Local Chamorros supported the conquerors. Guam had been an American territory, and technically local Chamorros were America's subjects though lacked basic civil rights. Nevertheless, they considered themselves Americans. The American landing on Saipan came as a surprise to the Japanese, and thus, many defensive installations hadn't been completed; Guam divisions calculated not only when but where the landings would be, throwing all their efforts into the construction of beach defenses. On Guam, Americans used a risky strategy of landing simultaneously on two points, far apart from each other.

If you read Walter Lord's classical works on Pearl Harbor and Titanic, you would have a pre-knowledge of James H. Hallas's approach to the material. Shown from different points of view, that of Americans and Japanese, the battle gets a human face. The reader sees the individual combatants, some fearful, some recklessly courageous; all in the grips of blind fate. Seen from this perspective, it's hard to comprehend how any strategic planning can be done, considering the thousands of possibilities and accidents that might or might not happen. Still, military historians view the landing on Guam as a textbook example: veni, vidi, vici. The stories of George Tweed, an American who had hidden in caves before Americans returned, and Japanese stragglers who survived for decades in the jungles after the war's end, give the whole Guam story a fairytale-like quality.

Battle for Guam, Guamanian Chamorros, tortured/raped/killed indiscriminately by Japanese, and American Marines/GIs should be remembered.

I received an advance review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

An electronic advanced review copy has been provided by the publisher in exchange for a non biased review.

Introduction
"Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II" by James H. Hallas is a meticulously researched historical narrative that delves into one of the lesser-discussed but critically significant battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II. As a sequel to Hallas's work on the Battle of Saipan, this book aims to provide readers with a comprehensive account of the strategic and human elements of the Guam campaign. My interest in World War II history, particularly the lesser-known battles, drew me to this book, expecting a detailed and immersive experience.

Summary
James H. Hallas reconstructs the Battle of Guam, which took place in the summer of 1944, as part of the United States' campaign to reclaim the Mariana Islands from Japanese control. The narrative begins with the historical context, setting the stage for the importance of Guam in the broader Pacific strategy, highlighting its role in providing a base for further attacks on Japan.

Hallas details the preparation phases, where he describes the extensive planning and the challenges faced by American forces in coordinating such a large-scale operation across vast ocean distances. The author provides a vivid depiction of the initial assault on July 21, 1944, where the U.S. forces faced fierce resistance from entrenched Japanese defenders. Through firsthand accounts, military records, and personal narratives, Hallas paints a picture of the chaos, bravery, and brutality of the battle.

The narrative continues with the intense fighting that lasted for weeks, detailing the strategic maneuvers, the harsh jungle warfare, and the significant role of naval and air support. Hallas does not shy away from the grim realities of war, discussing the high casualties on both sides, the impact on the local Chamorro population, and the psychological toll on soldiers.

The book also covers the aftermath, where major operations concluded on August 10, but guerrilla warfare and mopping up operations persisted until the war's end, with the last Japanese holdout surrendering in 1972, an astonishing detail that underscores the battle's lasting impact.

Conclusion
"Guam" by James H. Hallas is a compelling addition to the literature on World War II, offering a detailed exploration of a critical yet often overlooked battle. Hallas's ability to weave together military strategy, personal stories, and historical context provides a rich tapestry that educates and engages. However, while the depth of research is commendable, the narrative occasionally gets bogged down in military minutiae, which might overwhelm readers less familiar with military history or tactics. Despite this, the book stands as a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those involved in the Guam campaign, making it an essential read for enthusiasts of WWII history.

Ratings Breakdown
Historical Accuracy: 5/5 - Hallas's extensive use of primary sources and firsthand accounts ensures a high level of historical fidelity.
Narrative Flow: 3/5 - While the narrative is comprehensive, it sometimes lacks the fluidity needed to keep non-specialist readers fully engaged due to the dense military detail.
Character Development: 4/5 - Through personal stories, Hallas brings out the human aspect of the battle, though the focus remains more on military strategy than individual character arcs.
Engagement: 4/5 - The book is engaging for those interested in military history, less so for general readers due to its specialized content.
Educational Value: 5/5 - It provides significant educational value, shedding light on a pivotal battle in the Pacific War, with extensive context and detailed analysis.

Overall Rating: 4/5 - "Guam" by James H. Hallas is a valuable resource for understanding the strategic and human elements of a crucial WWII battle, recommended for those with a keen interest in military history.

I liked reading this book. I felt like it had a good amount of information about Guam during wartimes. I am from Guam, born and raised, and there is a lot of history in this book that even I didn't know about. Growing up, there are parts of our history that you don't learn from the schools, for whatever the reason may be. I had always known about the Japanese during the wartimes in Guam, but not during the Americans stay. Overall, I did feel as if it was fairly informative. There were a few parts that made me feel a certain way because I am a native, but time has passed, and we can only work on our present and future. This is something I would have my son read to have a better understanding of where I am from, and part ofthe island's history.