76 Hours

A Novel of Tarawa

By: Larry Alexander

Narrated by: John Pirhalla, Brian Nishii

The gripping historical novel of the invasion of Tarawa by US Marines in World War II, from bestselling author, journalist, and historian Larry Alexander.

The island of Tarawa, a tiny spit of sand out in the middle of the Pacific, teemed with five hundred pillboxes filled with artillery pieces and highly motivated Japanese soldiers. Their commanding officer encouraged his troops, saying, “It would take one million men one hundred years” to conquer Tarawa. They were convinced that the Americans would be slaughtered before they ever got ashore.

Private Pete “Hardball” Talbot was one of the US Marines tasked with taking the island. A cocky, tough street kid from Philadelphia, Pete joined up to escape his abusive father. In his mind, nothing the Japanese could throw at him could be as bad as what his father dished out. He was angry, and more than willing to take it out on the enemy. But once he climbed over the side and into the landing craft, and once the Japanese artillery and machine guns opened up in defense of the island, Pete knew this was going to be different. It would take all his training, and all his street smarts to stay alive while those around him got blown to bits.

Despite Japanese predictions, it took the United States Marines seventy-six hours to take Tarawa. It was a walk in the park … if the park were in the middle of hell itself.

©2023 Larry Alexander (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Gripping story with superb perspectives from both American and Japanese characters

Alexander’s book on the Battle of Tarawa is a great addition to the vast existing literature on WW2 novels. It strengths are a well-written, attention-grabbing storyline and the fact that both sides are described with empathy and life-like characters. The addition of the Japanese perspective is a real add-on, which makes this book stand out -> warmly recommended!!

Not so great thanks to authors additions

Loved the accuracy and graphic descriptions of the battles on the island. However, The author basically ruined the book with the drama that didn’t need to be added. The last few chapters were even difficult to get through with all the authors added drama about the main characters childhood etc. This book started so well and would have even been great, but this author actually ruined it for me…

The empathy for the young soldiers on each side

The story focuses on the feelings, fear and respect on each side and this gives it a greater depth than good vs bad

War Is Hell

Taking the island of Tarawa was a nightmare. The Marines who landed did so under intense firing, and continuous bombardments of attacks by Japanese soldiers. The bravery and fortitude of the soldiers who took the island is revealed here through the few characters in the book.

I loved how it was split between the Japanese and American viewpoints of the battle. It was a great read, and one that I highly enjoyed.

*Note, there is a lot of language in the book, so beware if you pick it up.*

Fiction. My fault for trying a novel.

I just can't handle the fictional version of anything that has plenty of actual first hand accounts