First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal

"First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal" by Henry I. Shaw, Jr. is a historical narrative that unveils the intense 1942 struggle for Guadalcanal, a key Pacific battle in World War II. The book recounts the initial Marine offensive, led by figures like Admiral Ernest J. King and Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, against the Japanese forces occupying the island and its strategically important airfield. It sets up with the geopolitical reasons behind the offensive along with the intelligence that drove the landing, and the complex planning for the amphibious assault. This text highlights the challenges, naval operations, and the high tension that the Marines faced as they undertook their first major combat mission, resulting in the decisive taking of the field which ultimately proved to be a key turning point in the war.