John Bruning's Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island mirrors its subject matter by seeming to stall before taking off. This is a very well-written book with one particular peculiarity. Let me start with my major criticism, but be advised that this book is very good.

The narrative is about U.S. Marine pilots on Guadalcanal. All World War II buffs know about it and, if you don't, trust me it was a big deal. The book starts with a prologue set during the Battle of Midway. So far, so good. Midway would lead to Guadalcanal. Then, inexplicably, Part I of the book takes six chapters to cover a homecoming tour for three of the characters in the book set after Guadalcanal. I have read many books which do a flash forward to set a scene or to highlight certain aspects of a character. I have never seen it used for some much page length. It also doesn't set anything up that you won't find in the rest of the book. This entire part could be eliminated from the book and it would improve.

Yes, I spilled a lot of ink on my criticism of the book, but you may be wondering why I am rating is very good then. Quite simply, Bruning's prose and focus when the narrative reaches Guadalcanal is exceptional. In fact, the chapters I think could be cut are also well-written and interesting. They are just badly misplaced in the narrative. Bruning is laser focused on the characters when they get to battle and the frenetic energy he describes is palpable. Many World War II books fall into the trap of trying to write about the entire war while telling a smaller story at its core. Bruning gives the reader the bare minimum about the greater war and keeps engaged with only the characters at the heart of his story. Yes, the first few chapters threw me off, but I was very happy I kept going. The journey was worth it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Hachette Books.)

This book tells the story of a group of Marine aviators who are left to fend for themselves after the US Navy is forced to abandon them on Guadalcanal in August of 1942. This book is amazingly well written and engaging. This book does not read at all like a work of nonfiction, it reads like a historical thriller. I especially loved the detailed look at what it was like for the survivors when they returned to "normalcy" in the United States. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoyes historical nonfiction.

This was a fascinating book. Beautifully written and thought-provoking. Any history nut would love this one and find it difficult to put down..