One Square Mile of Hell Audiobook By John Wukovits cover art

One Square Mile of Hell

The Battle for Tarawa

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One Square Mile of Hell

By: John Wukovits
Narrated by: Gregory Jones
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The riveting true account of the Battle of Tarawa, an epic World War II clash in which the U.S. Marines fought the Japanese nearly to the last man.

In November 1943, the men of the 2d Marine Division were instructed to clear out Japanese resistance on the Pacific island of Betio, a speck at the end of the Tarawa Atoll. When the Marines landed, the Japanese poured out of their underground bunkers — and launched one of the most brutal and bloody battles of World War II.

For three straight days, attackers and defenders fought over every square inch of sand in a battle with no defined frontlines, and where there was no possibility of retreat — because there was nowhere to retreat to. It was a struggle that would leave both sides stunned and exhausted, and prove both the fighting mettle of the Americans and the fanatical devotion of the Japanese.

Drawn from new sources, including participants’ letters and diaries and exclusive firsthand interviews with survivors, One Square Mile of Hell is the true story of a battle between two determined foes, neither of whom would ever look at the other in the same way again.

©2022 John Wukovits (P)2022 Penguin Audio Asia Japan Military Wars & Conflicts World War II War Naval Warfare Imperial Japan

Critic reviews

“Naval historian John Wukovits writes about the bloody Tarawa fight as though he had gone ashore with the Marines...a worthy memorial to the Marines who fought there.” (Herman Wouk)

“This fast-paced chronicle of courage is a must read.” (Lt. Col. Oliver L. North)

“The best book I have ever read about the battle for Tarawa.... His vivid account of this horrific amphibious campaign is must reading for all Marines and World War II history buffs.” (Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin, USMC (Ret.), author of Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper)
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Description of the battle for Tarawa island during World War II. Some what repetitive text. Author bends over backwards saying how important the battle was.

The horror of war

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Epic history of one of the USMC’s finest hours. Truely where legends are made. Semper Fi

Humbling and proud

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This gave me an idea what my Grandfather went through on that island. Thank you for all the bravery that came through in the book.

The truth and stories

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My grandfather fought at Tarawa. It is amazing that you can get an understanding of what he might have been thinking throughout the events. This really is a treasure of a book.
The reading was also very well done. Very worth the price.

Brilliant

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Preordered this and was absolutely amazed. The writing, documentation, prose and humanity comes out in this book about the supreme sacrifice and human cost of Tarawa. But it does not let the reader subscribe to the idea that all the men lost in the invasion were for nothing. Far from that, it makes you appreciate their loss all the more.

The horror and detail of the fighting shall not be soon forgotten. Buy this book, you will not regret it.

Absolutely excellent. A soon to be classic

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