Despite all the ink already spilled over the battle, the new tome from Greg Urwin succeeds as the pre-eminent book on the topic and one not likely to be unseated from that position any time soon. . . . Not only the definitive book on the Siege of Wake Island, but also one of the best books of the year. Don't miss this one. These planes are so new they still bear their light gray factory paint jobs and carry no machine guns or sights. They would be repainted and put into fighting shape during the squadron's trip to Wake on the USS Enterprise .
Exceptions deserve pointing out. . . .
For once, the facts do not kill a fine story. University of Central Arkansas history professor Gregory J. W. Urwin's complete account, Facing Fearful Odds , is a complete success. . . . Amateurs talk about strategy. Professionals talk about logistics,' as the old Army saying goes. Urwin's book effectively shows how being a good mechanic is much better in modern war than fervor over Bushido or other macho concepts.