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Unknown Valor: A Story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima Hardcover – Illustrated, February 25, 2020
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.
In honor of the 75th Anniversary of one of the most critical battles of World War II, the popular primetime Fox News anchor of The Story with Martha MacCallum pays tribute to the heroic men who sacrificed everything at Iwo Jima to defeat the Armed Forces of Emperor Hirohito—among them, a member of her own family, Harry Gray.
Admiral Chester Nimitz spoke of the “uncommon valor” of the men who fought on Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest and most brutal battles of World War II. In thirty-six grueling days, nearly 7,000 Marines were killed and 22,000 were wounded.
Martha MacCallum takes us from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima through the lives of these men of valor, among them Harry Gray, a member of her own family.
In Unknown Valor, she weaves their stories—from Boston, Massachusetts, to Gulfport, Mississippi, as told through letters and recollections—into the larger history of what American military leaders rightly saw as an eventual showdown in the Pacific with Japan. In a relentless push through the jungles of Guadalcanal, over the coral reefs of Tarawa, past the bloody ridge of Peleliu, against the banzai charges of Guam, and to the cliffs of Saipan, these men were on a path that ultimately led to the black sands of Iwo Jima, the doorstep of the Japanese Empire.
Meticulously researched, heart-wrenching, and illuminating, Unknown Valor reveals the sacrifices of ordinary Marines who saved the world from tyranny and left indelible marks on those back home who loved them.
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper
- Publication dateFebruary 25, 2020
- Dimensions6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100062853856
- ISBN-13978-0062853851
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Martha MacCallum has written a wonderful book on the bravery and sacrifices of those who ‘island-hopped’ from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima. Part family memoir, part personal history of small-town America at war, and part chronicle of Marine amphibious landings from 1942 to 1945, Unknown Valor is a beautifully written and stirring reminder to present generations that much of what we now take for granted was given to us by the sacrifices of those whom we must never forget.” — Victor Davis Hanson, Hoover Institution, Stanford University; author of The Second World Wars
“Unknown Valor is at once so gripping and moving about the war in the Pacific that I lost several nights sleep, refusing to go to bed until I’d read it all. The book blends fascinating details of Martha MacCallum's family’s personal story and sacrifice, and the touching moments of hope and family life add a special flavor to the story. Even though we all know how the war ends, what we gain from the book is a deeper appreciation for the scope and scale of the patriotism, dreams, and heartache that lived on. Unknown Valor is a triumph.” — Dana Perino, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller And the Good News Is...
“Martha is magnificent and so is this book. This is a story of love and military battle told with clarity and heart.” — Peggy Noonan, 2017 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Commentary and Wall Street Journal Columnist
“Martha MacCallum’s Unknown Valor is an elegantly written and deeply researched history of how the U.S. Army and Marines won the Pacific theater island-hopping campaign in the Second World War. The sheer heroism of these American fighters on the battlefield is staggering. Every page soars with gritty realism and patriotic perseverance. A powerful saga about the greatest generation!” — Douglas Brinkley, author of The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: Ronald Reagan, D-Day, and the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion
“Martha MacCallum has written a magnificent history, at once a sweeping and fresh account of one of the most dramatic chapters in our past—and an intimate portrait of all that’s best and most heroic in the American spirit.” — Sohrab Ahmari, op-ed editor, New York Post
“If you want your faith in America restored, you simply must read this book.” — Marc Thiessen, resident fellow, American Enterprise Institute
About the Author
Martha MacCallum is anchor and executive editor of The Story with Martha MacCallum, seen Monday through Friday on Fox News. She is also co-anchor of Fox News Election coverage, moderating town halls and debates with the presidential candidates, alongside Bret Baier and Chris Wallace. Prior to becoming anchor of The Story, MacCallum anchored, “The First 100 Days,” reporting nightly on the first months of the Trump administration and interviewing the President on his 100th Day. She has covered presidential and mid-term elections for Fox News since 2004, as well as extensive reporting from the field on the primary races across the country. MacCallum has reported from Normandy, France during the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, and from Iwo Jima’s “Reunion of Honor.” Prior to Fox News, MacCallum was an award winning reporter for CNBC, covering homeland security and the US economy, and a reporter/producer for Wall Street Journal Television.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper; Illustrated edition (February 25, 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062853856
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062853851
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #173,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #150 in United States Military Veterans History
- #1,469 in World War II History (Books)
- #5,477 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Martha MacCallum is anchor and executive editor of The Story with Martha MacCallum, seen Monday through Friday on Fox News. She is also co-anchor of Fox News Election coverage, moderating town halls and debates with the presidential candidates, alongside Bret Baier and Chris Wallace. Prior to becoming anchor of The Story, MacCallum anchored, “The First 100 Days,” reporting nightly on the first months of the Trump administration and interviewing the President on his 100th Day. She has covered presidential and mid-term elections for Fox News since 2004, as well as extensive reporting from the field on the primary races across the country. MacCallum has reported from Normandy, France during the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, and from Iwo Jima’s “Reunion of Honor.” Prior to Fox News, MacCallum was an award winning reporter for CNBC, covering homeland security and the US economy, and a reporter/producer for Wall Street Journal Television.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the storyline engaging, touching, and full of rich historical details. They appreciate the accuracy of the accounts and recollections of their own part in the Pacific. Readers also enlighten and inspire gratitude for the ultimate sacrifices made by so many. They describe the writing quality as skillfully researched and written, and chatty.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the storyline engaging, deeply personal, and breathtaking. They also say the book brings some understanding of what they endured.
"...It makes history and, tragically, War, deeply personal. The book is educational, poignant and, at times, painful...." Read more
"This book is poignant and powerful and the author's descriptions are so vivid one will feel as though they are witnessing these incidents first hand...." Read more
"Well written and engaging story of the life and death of an ordinary young man who stepped forward to fight for his country in WW2 by joining the US..." Read more
"It was an interesting story about a time when nearly every young man wanted to serve the USA...." Read more
Customers find the book skillfully researched and written with so much detail. They also appreciate the well-footnoted and numerous photographs. Customers also say the book provides a history lesson of the battles.
"...At the same time, the Kindle is well footnoted, and there are numerous photographs that really add to the entire reading and listening..." Read more
"...Descriptions are detailed and in depth, as well, and the incident with the sailors entrapped in the air bubble for such a length of time will give..." Read more
"Well written and engaging story of the life and death of an ordinary young man who stepped forward to fight for his country in WW2 by joining the US..." Read more
"...It is beautifully researched and written and has helped me to feel connected to my grandpa and all the brave men who have served in the Pacific and..." Read more
Customers find the book full of rich historical details woven together in a compelling history. They also say the author's descriptions are vivid, and the book does a great job setting the scene as far as family relationships. Readers also mention that the book is thorough, factual, and emotional. They appreciate the author’s attention to the fighting by US forces in the Pacific theater, and say the details are pretty accurate.
""Unknown Valor" is an excellent compilation of both history and the personal stories of individuals whose lives intersect and ultimately are caught..." Read more
"This book is poignant and powerful and the author's descriptions are so vivid one will feel as though they are witnessing these incidents first hand...." Read more
"...Great attention to the fighting by US forces in the Pacific theater." Read more
"...I can confirm that the bloody, graphic details in this book are pretty accurate...." Read more
Customers find the book to be engaging, enlightening, and inspiring. They also say it inspires gratitude for the ultimate sacrifices and the incredible courage of the men.
"...Sacrifice, heroism, and love of country... A must read for those interested in WW II from the beginning to the end...." Read more
"...this book will engage and enlighten you and inspire gratitude for the ultimate sacrifices that were made by so many." Read more
"Uncommon Valor is a book about love of Country, Family and endless courage...." Read more
"...love to sit through this story again watching these heroic, selfless individuals brought to life in a movie...." Read more
Customers find the emotional content of the book touching.
"...The book is both educational and touching...." Read more
"...The personal touch is an added benefit to the story. You won't regret purchasing this book...." Read more
"...Plz buy this book..it is touching, intelligent and interesting...jk" Read more
"Touching and Heartfelt..." Read more
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The author lost a family member at the battle of Iwo Jima, who died before she, the author, was born. This book integrates the larger story of World War II, principally in the Pacific with the lives of those who served and sacrificed, as well as their families. It makes history and, tragically, War, deeply personal. The book is educational, poignant and, at times, painful.
As an amateur history student I know enough about World War II to know that the history conveyed in this book is highly accurate. I did nonetheless still learn a good deal from this book. What affected and impressed me the most was the personal touch between the author and the work.
Years ago, I had read a book, "Flags of Our Fathers". At the time I felt that book was one of the best personal history books that I had ever read. Since then some rather serious inaccuracies have emerged. I certainly presume the mistakes were in good faith. However I can no longer recommend that book. I bring this up that in the event that one has read that book, this current book under review is similar in format and subject matter, but with those inaccuracies corrected.
Speaking of inaccuracies, I did find one in particular that occurs twice. My concern is that it is minor and that I am being too granular at the expense of greater excellence... Anyway I feel the need to mention it in the event a younger person is using this fine work as a basis of formal study. The author twice refers to American "Jets". In the Pacific in World War II the United States Military had no operational jet aircraft I beg your indulgence in the event you feel that I am being too microscopic. If someone uses this as a study aid, I don't want them misled....
As is common for me, I purchased both the Kindle and Audiobook. The Audiobook is narrated by the author. I almost always enjoy that as I prefer to hear the author narrate the text the way she wants it to be read. This is the case here and Martha MacCallum does an excellent job in her narration. At the same time, the Kindle is well footnoted, and there are numerous photographs that really add to the entire reading and listening experience.
In summary I completely enjoyed this book. The book is both educational and touching. I would not hesitate to recommend this fine work to anyone who wishes to learn about World War II in the Pacific and its impact on the lives of individuals. Thank You...
It begins with Pearl Harbor and the jubilant sailors enjoying liberty at a big band style competition...This was my first indication of the imagery that would be portrayed throughout this book. 7 DEC 1941....'Tora, Tora, Tora' and the Japanese have managed to complete this act of war on the US. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's complete speech to the House of Representatives is included. We are familiar with some of his words but seeing it in its entirety is sobering.
Descriptions are detailed and in depth, as well, and the incident with the sailors entrapped in the air bubble for such a length of time will give the reader goose bumps. Vivid and heart rendering. Major battles are covered in detail; letters home are mentioned; memories of survivors from Iwo Jima are recounted. Winston Churchill's visit with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in December of 1941 is recalled, as well. Interesting to read about this meeting. I would be remiss if I didn't mention LCOL Doolittle and the B-25's. Another feat that was unheard of in this era.
As a reader, this book is so well balanced with both the war actions in both Europe and the Pacific that it stands head and shoulders above any other I have read previously. I love the fact that the members of the US Marine Corps are depicted as the warriors they are. love of country, love of their comrades in arms and life long commitment to the Corps. Semper Fi...
Poignant and powerful read for me. Just imagine being able to write about your Uncle Harry and his Marine Corps buddies. Sacrifice, heroism, and love of country... A must read for those interested in WW II from the beginning to the end.
Most highly recommended.
There were a couple of points, one, that Yamamoto was killed by American Jet fighter planes, actually it was P-38 fighters. Also, the saying attributed to Yamamoto of, "We have awakened a sleeping giant" was movie fiction and never documented.
I enjoyed the book immensely.
pat roberts, 82nd Airborne veteran (all peace time service)
Unknown Valor has helped to fill in so many details that I would not have gotten otherwise. It is beautifully researched and written and has helped me to feel connected to my grandpa and all the brave men who have served in the Pacific and deserve our utmost honor and respect!
Thank you Martha MacCallum for all the work and heart you put into bringing this book to life. These stories are priceless and need to be shared and remembered!