I read the 60th anniversary edition.
This book is stuffed full of stories. The author was able to interview many of the participants, and there by had much information to share. The downfall of the book, is with this much information it seems to start repeating itself, and it is hard to follow. The story is told from many different angles, sailors on boats, sailors on leave, captains and admirals trying to get to their boats, Japanese Naval commanders and pilots, and submarine drivers, civilians, spouses of military personnel, local citizens, local Japanese, radar operators, pilots on the ground, and a few in the air, incoming plane pilots (some who were shot down,) those who pass away, and those who swim through oil, and those who are miraculously rescued from ships turned turtle. This is a book to be devoured this time of year. The Japanese caused civilian damage much must less than assume the author contends. Most of the exploding ordnance in populated areas was anti-aircraft fire form the U.S. guns on ships and shore.
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