<b>**</b> <i>This was a NetGalley book [original due date <b>5.15.2024</b>]. I was finally able to purchase [as it was unavailable at the libraries I belong to] the eBook of this title [the digital eBook ARC was unavailable when I went to read it and I was unable to download again due to an unexpected archive of the book] to read and review. See below. </i> <b>**</b>

8.9.2024
I finished this two days ago [8.7.2024] and I am still unsure if I will 1. be able to write this review without [once again] bawling my head off and 2. be able to write a review that will do this book justice. Because this book deserves ALL the great reviews, the men within honored this way, and remembered now by many.

I'm honestly not sure when a book has moved me as much as this book and the tears flowed freely and often [my mom teased me one night about crying and I told her that I was reading a book about Guadalcanal and she paused and said, "never mind. Cry all you need to"] as I read about these amazing men who fought against fascism and for the the people not even born yet.

This is a book about courage, love of country, family, and the men they served with, the horrors of war and how doing everything in their power to ave this island from the enemy helped win the war [had Guadalcanal been lost, the results of the war would have been dramatically different].

It is also a book about pain, hardship, fear, and deep, deep loss [some of the struggles the men encountered AFTER they came home are almost as brutal as what they encountered in the war] and I defy anyone to read this and not cry over some of the horrific losses [just thinking about it right now, my eyes have filled and I must stop this as it is so hard to type when one is bawling].

Meticulously researched [the author note and acknowledgements at the end, about the research the author did made me cry all over again], the author shows again and again just how much he loved and respects these men so much; that love just shines in both the amazing writing/storytelling and the minor details he found in his research and then used to great success, to bring us all closer to these men and all they did and endured. The families of these men can be proud of all they did and accomplished AND of this man who loved them enough to write about them and continues to honor them and in return, has taught all of us to respect and honor them as well.

A must-read for both history-buffs AND non-history buffs [anyone who has a heart, a love of country and empathy will be greatly rewarded by this story] alike, this book will reach deep in side of you and when you come out on the other side, you will never be the same.

Absolutely stunning, I am so grateful that I got a chance to read about this amazing group of men.

Thank you to NetGalley, John R. Bruning, and Hachette Books for this [unreadable] ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting look at three Marine Corp pilots at Guadalcanal. Their heroism and what they endured are truly inspirational. A great read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

John Bruning's Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island mirrors its subject matter by seeming to stall before taking off. This is a very well-written book with one particular peculiarity. Let me start with my major criticism, but be advised that this book is very good.

The narrative is about U.S. Marine pilots on Guadalcanal. All World War II buffs know about it and, if you don't, trust me it was a big deal. The book starts with a prologue set during the Battle of Midway. So far, so good. Midway would lead to Guadalcanal. Then, inexplicably, Part I of the book takes six chapters to cover a homecoming tour for three of the characters in the book set after Guadalcanal. I have read many books which do a flash forward to set a scene or to highlight certain aspects of a character. I have never seen it used for some much page length. It also doesn't set anything up that you won't find in the rest of the book. This entire part could be eliminated from the book and it would improve.

Yes, I spilled a lot of ink on my criticism of the book, but you may be wondering why I am rating is very good then. Quite simply, Bruning's prose and focus when the narrative reaches Guadalcanal is exceptional. In fact, the chapters I think could be cut are also well-written and interesting. They are just badly misplaced in the narrative. Bruning is laser focused on the characters when they get to battle and the frenetic energy he describes is palpable. Many World War II books fall into the trap of trying to write about the entire war while telling a smaller story at its core. Bruning gives the reader the bare minimum about the greater war and keeps engaged with only the characters at the heart of his story. Yes, the first few chapters threw me off, but I was very happy I kept going. The journey was worth it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Hachette Books.)

This book tells the story of a group of Marine aviators who are left to fend for themselves after the US Navy is forced to abandon them on Guadalcanal in August of 1942. This book is amazingly well written and engaging. This book does not read at all like a work of nonfiction, it reads like a historical thriller. I especially loved the detailed look at what it was like for the survivors when they returned to "normalcy" in the United States. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoyes historical nonfiction.

This was a fascinating book. Beautifully written and thought-provoking. Any history nut would love this one and find it difficult to put down..