This book should be a must read to all of those who have any interest in Guadalcanal. The book is written in such a way that a reader can get lost in the tale. As you read the book you will swear that you hear the guns roar, feel the jungle humidity as you turn page after page. The author was a very central figure in the battle. It is written in such a way it makes you feel you are talking to the guy. His perspectives brings a new light to understand the why behind what happened. He really covers the intangible things extremely well behind the critical decisions effecting the battle. HE even covers the important but seldom discussed things like the divisional training before the battle.

The con side of the book is it's perspective. Readers should understand he was at the top of the chain. Thus the story is told from that perspective. If a reader wants an understanding of the grunt on the line they should check out another book like the famous Guadalcanal diaries.

A definite must read for any serious student of the war.

General Merrill B. Twinings memoir of the Guadalcanal is amazing. His knowledge of events leading up to the invasion and what happen on the island, are details few know about. He describes how a lot of the records were destroyed. His work is little known but so important to what happen. But its his easy and fun to read narrative of life leading up to and on Guadalcanal that add so much more. I salute you General, for the service to our country.

Instead of a battle quote from The General, I will quote some humour from him about a the Divisional head quarters head cook. I think he would like it.

"Butch Morgan, the world's finest cook, lived a life of quiet despair. He had replaced the blacksmith's forge with a portable Marine Corps field range called, for some strange reason, a Buzycott. Surrounded by all this splendor, poor Butch had nothing worthwhile to cook."

I will leave this with the thought that Good Marines are always hungry and will appreciate the Generals quote :)

General Merrill B. Twinings memoir of the Guadalcanal is amazing. His knowledge of events leading up to the invasion and what happen on the island, are details few know about. He describes how a lot of the records were destroyed. His work is little known but so important to what happen. But its his easy and fun to read narrative of life leading up to and on Guadalcanal that add so much more. I salute you General, for the service to our country.

Instead of a battle quote from The General, I will quote some humour from him about a the Divisional head quarters head cook. I think he would like it.

"Butch Morgan, the world's finest cook, lived a life of quiet despair. He had replaced the blacksmith's forge with a portable Marine Corps field range called, for some strange reason, a Buzycott. Surrounded by all this splendor, poor Butch had nothing worthwhile to cook."

I will leave this with the thought that Good Marines are always hungry and will appreciate the Generals quote :)

"No Bended Knee: The Battle for Guadalcanal," by Merrill B. Twining, is a memoir by a U.S. Marine Corps officer who served on the headquarters staff of the First Marine Division during World War II. The book is edited by Neil G. Carey and features a foreword by Lieut. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, USMC (retired). Gen. Twining tells of the the Marines' stay in New Zealand in preparation for battle, the amphibious assault on the island of Guadalcanal, combat on the island, and the aftermath of his time on Guadalcanal.

This is a fascinating account of the massive effort to transform this island into what Twining calls "an unsinkable aircraft carrier." He offers a comprehensive and compelling look at how all the various individuals and organizations contributed to this epic effort, among them Marine aviators, Navy Seabees, the Army Air Corps, Navajo code talkers, native workers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, Army National Guard troops, and more. He tells about American relations and encounters with British, Australian, and New Zealander personnel.

Twining writes about the diseases, deprivation, and harsh conditions faced by the heroic personnel at Guadalcanal. But it's not all grim and serious. He offers colorful portraits of the people he served with and includes funny anecdotes--the book actually made me laugh out loud. Gen. Twining skilfully weaves interesting technical details about military tactics and gear into the compelling human story. Whether writing about techniques used to cool machine guns in the heat of battle or the merits of different boat loading techniques in an amphibious assault, Twining always offers some fascinating insights into the practical realities of war.

But what really makes this book remarkable, and even fun, is Twining's tone. Yes, he is a serious military professional, with respect and affection for the many remarkable men with whom he served. But his voice is also often quite feisty and cutting. He doesn't hold back when criticizing many instances of military stupidity and short-sightedness. At times his writing even has a blisteringly satiric edge. "No Bended Knee" is a spirited and superbly written addition to the glorious canon of American military memoirs.

I would say more like 3.8 stars than four but it is a great book worth the read. Filled with details I hadn't heard before, like how the came to have so many .50 cal machine guns in the face of massive shortages.But, and maybe some will disagree, and maybe I'm wrong and reading too much into it, General twinning mentions through the book that he is the highest ranking survivor of the campaign. He seemed to use that to take shots at people who can no longer defend themselves, and that turned me off. I don't want to take away from what he did, it was above and beyond the call,he is a true hero and I am grateful for his service. I just felt he should have left a few of his opinions out or written the book thirty years ago.

I would say more like 3.8 stars than four but it is a great book worth the read. Filled with details I hadn't heard before, like how the came to have so many .50 cal machine guns in the face of massive shortages.But, and maybe some will disagree, and maybe I'm wrong and reading too much into it, General twinning mentions through the book that he is the highest ranking survivor of the campaign. He seemed to use that to take shots at people who can no longer defend themselves, and that turned me off. I don't want to take away from what he did, it was above and beyond the call,he is a true hero and I am grateful for his service. I just felt he should have left a few of his opinions out or written the book thirty years ago.