Blazing Star, Setting Sun: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign November 1942 – March 1943 - Jeffrey R. Cox

This review has been submitted to the Canadian Naval Review.

Title: Blazing Star, Setting Sun: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign November 1942 – March 1943
Author: Jeffrey R. Cox
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4046-2
Publisher: Osprey
Year: 2020
Hardcover
Pages: 512
Photos/Maps: 33/5

"Blazing Star, Setting Sun" by Jeffrey R. Cox is a well-written and thoroughly researched account of the Pacific War from the perspectives of the United States and Japan. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the military strategies, tactics, and decisions made by both sides during the conflict, as well as their respective political, economic, and cultural contexts. The third book in his series on the Pacific War, he continues to impress with the quality of his research and writing. This book covers the 5 month brutal period of the Battle for Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands marking a sea change as the West began its inexorable rise and the Japanese their descent in the War of the Pacific.

One of the strengths of the book is Cox's ability to bring to life the individuals who played pivotal roles in the Pacific War. Cox masterfully weaves together the personal stories of key military and political figures, such as Admiral Chester Nimitz, General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, within the larger historical narrative. Through these personal stories, the reader gains a deeper understanding of the motivations, fears, and aspirations that drove these leaders and shaped their decisions.

The book is also noteworthy for its balanced and nuanced portrayal of both the American and Japanese perspectives. Cox does not shy away from describing the brutality of the war on both sides, nor does he hesitate to critique the mistakes and shortcomings of both the United States and Japan. In doing so, he offers a more complete and complex understanding of the Pacific War that is often lacking in other accounts.

One of the most interesting themes of the book is the role of intelligence in shaping the outcome of the war. Cox highlights the importance of both human intelligence (i.e., spies and informants) and signals intelligence (i.e., intercepted radio messages) in providing critical information that allowed both sides to gain advantages over their opponents. He also demonstrates how the ability to read and interpret intelligence was often the deciding factor in battles and campaigns, such as the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Perhaps the only weakness of the book is its focus on the military and political aspects of the war to the exclusion of other important dimensions, such as the social and cultural impact of the conflict on the people of the United States and Japan. While Cox touches on these issues, they are not given as much attention as they could have been. However, this is a minor criticism given the scope and depth of the book.

Overall, "Blazing Star, Setting Sun" is an outstanding account of the Pacific War that will appeal to anyone interested in military history, international relations, or the human experience of war. Cox's prose is clear and engaging, and his analysis is insightful and thought-provoking. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Pacific War and its lasting impact on the world.