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 enlarge | Authors: Jonathan Parshall, Anthony Tully
Publisher: Potomac Books Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $17.77
You Save: $9.18 (34%)
New (21) Used (6) from $16.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  112 reviews
Sales Rank: 13165
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 568
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.9
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.5
ISBN: 1574889249
Dewey Decimal Number: 359
EAN: 9781574889246
ASIN: 1574889249
Publication Date: November 19, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Overall, A Great Book June 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Simply a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in what happened off Midway in June 1942, and why events unfolded the way they did. The authors explain not only what happened, but why - in exhaustive detail. And therein lies the reason I could not in good conscience give this outstanding work 5 stars.
When the subject is as complex as this battle, and the research so comprehensive, any author has a responsibility to write as concisely as possible. Doing so respects the reader's time and improves the chances of the less dedicated making it through the text. Not only is this book unnecessarily wordy, the authors sometimes use three or four paragraphs to explain a point only to spend another paragraph or two summarizing and/or providing 'in other words' alternative explanations. Frankly, the average reader may be hard-pressed to finish this work. I half expected the last page to be a submission form for three hours of credit.
With that said, the afterglow is a pleasant one for those of us with a deep interest in this battle and the patience to read through to the end. The authors do a fine job of explaining why they're explaining. For example, with great effect they use Japanese carrier procedures and doctrine as evidence indicating what was actually happening in specific timeframes. Another example is showing the real role the decimated American torpedo squadrons played, which was critical but not for the reasons most people believe. The research appears impeccable and the conclusions reached on points where absolute evidence does not exist make sense.
The authors are perhaps a bit snarky when addressing some other sources on the battle, but I believe that to be a product of their own passion for accuracy, the battle, and the Imperial Japanese Navy as opposed to any intended animosity.
Bottom line: highly recommended, but be prepared to invest some time.
WOW! June 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I can not begin to imagine what an undertaking it was to gather the research used in this book. The author has compiled a mammoth volume of information on the battle of Midway. There are many points of the battle that have been accepted as gospel by those of us who were not there. Not only does the author boldly claim these points as false, but provides convincing facts to back up his claims.
For a parent or student looking for a point of reference for a term paper or thesis, this is an absolute MUST! Not only does it cover the events of the battle, there is also an amazing amount of background on all the major players who commanded the Japanese forces.
Shattered Sword:The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway June 9, 2008
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway I have read a number of books by authors on both sides(japanese and American)regarding the Battle of Midway but none have come close to this book. Mr. Parshall provides the reader with most intricate details on Japanese carrier technology and doctrine that in the end led to Japan's catastropic defeat at Midway.A must read of any serious historian or aviation buff. Excellent in every way.
Required Reading for Military Scholars June 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I awarded this book "only" five stars because that is all that is allowed. This book far and away must be considered required reading for anyone who considers themselves well read on World War II, particularly the Battle of Midway. This book far outstrips even the most well thought of books on the Battle, and that includes Walter Lord's seminal work and the scholar's choice accorded to Gordon Prange. Walter Lord referred to Midway as a "victory shot with luck." After reading Shattered Sword, a more apt description would be "a Japanese defeat shot with bad luck." This is the first book written from the Japanese perspective. A book was written by Japanese authors decades ago, but as is pointed out in SH SW, the Japanese book is riddled with error. The finest accolade that I can give to this book is that it is meticulously researched, yet does not bog the reader down in mind numbing minutiae. In fact the research is neatly pointed out, interpreted, and concisely put forth for ease of readability. The initial chapters are also a fine example of military scholarship and give a very cogent backdrop to the ways that Navy's fight battles. As an aside, I communicated with one of the authors (Parshall) and found him to be a fine gentleman. I took issue with one of his conclusions based on his own research. Unlike many authors, he did not take umbrage at those who disagree with him. He stated his position in a polite way in an exchange of e-mails. He was okay with the idea that we respectfully agree to disagree.
Exhaustive Examination May 31, 2008
One of the most thorough and well-researched books about warfare that I have ever read. Excruciating details of Japanese carrier operations. A much-needed examination of the events and history leading up to the tragic (from the Japanese perspective) battle. Vividly illustrates how Yamamoto wasted and misused Japan's "sharpest sword".
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