In this paperback edition of the 1995 award-winning military history, Col. Alexander, US Marine Corp. (retired) reexamines this seminal World War II battle in the central Pacific. Although the colonel did not fight in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, he saw ample combat in Vietnam with amphibious assault tactics that proved so vital to Tarawa's costly capture and provided lessons for later battles such as Io Jima. Illustrations include maps, photos, and sketches of the battle, weapons, Japanese fortifications, and key players. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)