The Second World War: Asia and the Pacific

This ongoing series was developed and written by the faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Weaving the complexities of individual historical conflicts into a broader perspective, these volumes chronicle the turbulent periods of civilization. Utilizing their expertise as scholars and soldiers, the authors shed light on the crucial events and factors that shaped the execution of the world's great military campaigns. Photographs, illustrations, and maps of the campaign -- thoroughly researched for historical accuracy -- are either included in the books or available as companion atlases. Each volume focuses on a specific era of warfare, bringing you into the thick of battle with a clear and accurate picture of men at war.

With the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II as a combatant. Although the war's primary focus was on the conflict taking place in Europe, the battle in the Pacific was played out on a monumental level, whether on islands overrun by Japanese forces, or on the ocean between ships, planes, and submarines.

In The Second World War: Asia and the Pacific, the full breadth and scope of the Pacific theater of operations is explored and explained -- from the political and military circumstances leading to the war to Japan's unconditional surrender. As in the Europe and the Mediterranean volume of this series, technological advancements, generalship, and military doctrines are examined through the significant battles, events, and personalities that shaped the course of the war.