Subtitled 'A Rifleman's Eye View of the Activities on the Island of Guadalcanal'.

This book by Lt. Col. George is a partial biography. It starts with some background of growing up in Illinois and enjoying shooting. It quickly goes into military training with the National Guard in 1939 then on into active duty and to Guadalcanal. Many personal experiences on Guadalcanal are recounted Long patrols into difficult jungle and combat experiences are described. Japanese operations and equipment are discussed.

The author's opinions of the Japanese soldiers' abilities and of the suitability of their weapons are clearly stated. When he thinks their equipment is better he says so.

The first 236 pages of the book are about Guadalcanal and a little bit after (He the went to the CBI Theater with Merrill's Marauders) and most of the remaining book is about weapons used (total394 pages).

Lt. Col. George notes that the Marines were first into combat and that the press made it sound as if the Army arrived after all of the Japanese had been dealt with but he states that more than half of the Japanese were killed by the Army after relieving the Marines and also that Guadalcanal was the first Army assault and victory on an Axis force.

Incidentally, he notes the effects of the horrors of the war on some of the soldiers with some committing suicide later and others not being very functional with permanently damaged minds.

This is a very good book if you have an interest in that part of WW2.

Retired cat herder.