76 Hours - by Larry Alexander (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The gripping historical novel of the invasion of Tarawa by US Marines in World War II, from bestselling author, journalist, and historian Larry Alexander.

The island of Tarawa, a tiny spit of sand out in the middle of the Pacific, teemed with five hundred pillboxes filled with artillery pieces and highly motivated Japanese soldiers. Their commanding officer encouraged his troops, saying, "It would take one million men one hundred years" to conquer Tarawa. They were convinced that the Americans would be slaughtered before they ever got ashore.

Private Pete "Hardball" Talbot was one of the US Marines tasked with taking the island. A cocky, tough street kid from Philadelphia, Pete joined up to escape his abusive father. In his mind, nothing the Japanese could throw at him could be as bad as what his father dished out. He was angry, and more than willing to take it out on the enemy. But once he climbed over the side and into the landing craft, and once the Japanese artillery and machine guns opened up in defense of the island, Pete knew this was going to be different. It would take all his training, and all his street smarts to stay alive while those around him got blown to bits.

Despite Japanese predictions, it took the United States Marines seventy-six hours to take Tarawa. It was a walk in the park ... if the park were in the middle of hell itself.

Review Quotes

"New York Times bestselling WWII historian Larry Alexander captures the vicious reality of the Battle of Tarawa in his first novel, 76 Hours. Alexander puts the reader on the blood-soaked Pacific island amidst devastating machine-gun fire, desperate Banzai attacks, and brutally effective flamethrowers. His characters and prose are as tough as the marines who took the island against a dug-in foe."

-- "Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire and A Man at Arms"

"76 Hours is the take-no-prisoners debut novel by bestselling World War II historian Larry Alexander. The battle for the Pacific island of Tarawa is seen from both a hard-as-nails US Marine with a dark past and a Japanese soldier determined to give his life to the emperor. The story is fast-paced and intense, as if you were on Tarawa with a rifle in your hand. If you want to know what it was like to invade an enemy-held island, read 76 Hours."

-- "Jeff Shaara, New York Times bestselling author"

"76 Hours is a realistic and harrowing portrayal of combat in the Pacific, sure to appeal to hardcore military enthusiasts. Larry Alexander knows his stuff."

-- "Marcus Brotherton, New York Times bestselling author of A Bright and Blinding Sun: A World War II Story of Survival, Love, and Redemption"

"In 76 Hours, Larry Alexander, the brilliant author and historian who brought us behind the scenes with Major Dick Winters and the famous Band of Brothers, now turns to his gift for storytelling and rich characters to bring the Battle of Tarawa to life like never before. The story you only thought you knew about the marines who survived hell itself to capture the Japanese-held island over 76 hours during World War II is made real and visceral through the eyes of Alexander's protagonist, Private Pete 'Hardball' Talbot, a rich and compelling character that allows the reader to almost feel the shock of the shells raining down, feel the heat, and smell the gunpowder. Rich in accurate history and expertly told, this is the story of the brave marines of Tarawa told expertly in a way that will leave you breathless. Alexander is superb...Well done!"

-- "Andrews & Wilson, internationally bestselling authors of the Tier One, Sons of Valor, and Shepherds series"