(Paperback)
In 1942, one of the most powerful naval forces in history descended upon the tiny atoll of Midway, 1100 miles northwest of Hawaii. The Japanese intent was to lure America's badly depleted Pacific Fleet into the open where it would be overwhelmed, forcing the U.S. to end the Pacific War on Japanese terms.
But it didn't happen that way. Through an amazing combination of skill, courage, and especially luck, U.S. not only prevailed at Midway but delivered to the enemy a crushing defeat that instantly changed the course of the war.
No Right to Win is a fresh look at the great battle, focusing entirely on first-hand accounts by Midway veterans and the understandings that can be derived from them. Included are many of their anecdotes and revelations that compel a rethinking of some of the battle's most entrenched understandings. Could the defenders on the atoll have repulsed a Japanese invasion? Did an aircraft carrier captain falsify his after-action report? Were the Japanese about to invade Hawaii? Did the battle impact the D-Day landings in Normandy? No Right to Win explores those intriguing questions and much more in a wide-ranging examination of the twentieth century's most important naval battle.
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October 26, 2006: Ronald W Russell runs a wonderful on line website devoted to The Battle of Midway and many of the members are veterans of that memorable fight. He has put together a book length compilation of their stories that is a must for anyone with an interest in the Pacific War. This a compelling account that, along with such recent books as Shattered Sword and Black Shoe Carrier Admiral, put this much written about battle in a new light. It's a first rate piece of work.
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October 24, 2006: Proliferation of the internet has permitted us to acquire and disseminate an enormous amount of material that previously was limited to 'the inner circle.' Russell's innovative volume preserves invaluable first person accounts and perceptive analysis of a crucial historical event, and to put in context, just imagine if a similar forum had existed in 1866 or even 1920! 'No Right to Win' not only spotlights important perspectives on Midway, but shows the path to potentially greater documentation far into the future.