{"title":"Joseph Wheelan","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the gripping worlds of history and military with the works of Joseph Wheelan. As a masterful storyteller and meticulous researcher, Wheelan transports readers to pivotal moments that have shaped our modern era. His books, such as \u003cem\u003eBloody Okinawa\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Farthest Valley\u003c\/em\u003e, offer insightful explorations into the complexities of warfare and the endurance of the human spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBloody Okinawa\u003c\/em\u003e provides an intense look at one of World War II's fiercest battles, capturing the harrowing experiences of those involved while offering broader historical context. Meanwhile, \u003cem\u003eThe Farthest Valley\u003c\/em\u003e takes readers on a journey through uncharted territories, revealing untold stories of courage and survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJoseph Wheelan's works are perfect for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by military strategy and human resilience. His engaging narratives not only inform but also inspire, making his books an essential addition to any history buff's collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bloody-okinawa-by-joseph-wheelan-9780306903205","title":"Bloody Okinawa","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe last great battle of World War II began on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, when more than 184,000 troops began landing on the only Japanese home soil invaded during the Pacific war. The island of Okinawa was just 350 miles from mainland Japan, and the Allies planned to use it as their forward base for the invasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn the island, nearly 140,000 Japanese and auxiliary soldiers resisted the US-led assault with suicidal tenacity from a Gibraltar of hollowed-out, fortified hills and ridges. Under constant fire and in the rain and mud, U.S. troops fought ferociously, battering the Japanese with artillery, aerial bombing, naval gunfire, and every infantry tool. The battle also marked the apotheosis of kamikaze air attacks, which sank 36 warships, damaged 368 others, and killed almost 5,000 seamen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the brutal slugfest ended, more than 125,000 enemy soldiers had been killed—and 7,500 American ground troops had died. Tragically, at least one hundred thousand Okinawa civilians died violently while trapped between the battling armies. The Japanese succeeded in preventing invasion, but the bloody campaign convinced US leaders that only an atomic bomb could end the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUtilising vivid accounts written by US combatants, along with previously unused Japanese sources, Joseph Wheelan brings a strong human dimension to this rich story of the war's last great battle waged against a determined enemy and extreme conditions in \u003cem\u003eBloody Okinawa\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848559775980,"sku":"9780306903205","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6772423482297.jpg?v=1758987793"},{"product_id":"the-farthest-valley-by-joseph-wheelan-9781472859792","title":"The Farthest Valley","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA history of the legendary extraction of the Fifth and Seventh Marines from a Chinese trap, told for the first time using Chinese sources.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKnee-deep in snow, and under a leaden sky, American Marines thousands of miles from home watched more snow settle onto the frozen ground, glittering in the fading light. Suddenly, the still Korean night roared to life with the sound of Chinese mortar fire. The Fifth and Seventh Marine Regiments were besieged and surrounded by the Chinese 9th Army Group in a surprise attack at Chosin Reservoir in what is now North Korea. Vastly outnumbered and outgunned, defeat and death seemed guaranteed. Their improbable escape after a week of brutal combat required all the Marines' fighting skills and supreme combat leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt has become the stuff of legend and is brilliantly brought to life in this book through first-hand accounts by Joseph Wheelan, himself the son of a Chosin veteran. However, \u003ci\u003eThe Farthest Valley\u003c\/i\u003e also uses Chinese military documents to give a unique perspective on Chinese strategic and tactical failings which allowed the Marines to escape. Without the Marines, the entire United Nations core strength was at risk of collapse, which would have changed the outcome of the Korean War. This is a compelling history of the Marines’ incredible tenacity and of woeful combat leadership as the Chinese gambled away their men’s lives and ultimately victory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850042462444,"sku":"9781472859792","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10735443482712.jpg?v=1759077325"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/joseph-wheelan.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}