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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.

76 Hours: A Novel of Tarawa by Larry Alexander

In the annals of military history, the Battle of Tarawa stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the United States Marine Corps. Fought over the course of 76 grueling hours in November 1943, the battle for this tiny Pacific atoll was a brutal and bloody affair that claimed the lives of thousands of American and Japanese soldiers.

Larry Alexander's gripping novel, 76 Hours: A Novel of Tarawa, brings this epic struggle to life with unflinching realism and historical accuracy. Through the eyes of a young Marine named Jack Riley, readers are thrust into the heart of the fighting, experiencing the terror, the chaos, and the camaraderie that defined this iconic battle.

From the bone-jarring impact of the landing craft hitting the beach to the fierce hand-to-hand combat in the island's dense jungle, Alexander's prose is both visceral and evocative. He vividly captures the physical and emotional toll that the battle takes on Riley and his fellow Marines, as they fight for every inch of ground against a determined and well-entrenched enemy.

More than just a war story, 76 Hours is also a deeply human tale of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. Alexander skillfully weaves together the personal stories of Riley and his fellow Marines, exploring the bonds of brotherhood that are forged in the crucible of combat.

76 Hours is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that sheds new light on one of the most significant battles in American history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II, military history, or the human cost of war.