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Lonely Vigil
- Coastwatchers of the Solomons
- Narrated by: Norman Dietz
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
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Publisher's Summary
From the best-selling author of Day of Infamy: In the bloodiest island combat of WWII, one group of men kept watch from behind Japanese lines.
The Solomon Islands was where the Allied war machine finally broke the Japanese empire. As pilots, marines, and sailors fought for supremacy in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Slot, a lonely group of radio operators occupied the Solomon Islands' highest points. Sometimes encamped in comfort, sometimes exposed to the elements, these coastwatchers kept lookout for squadrons of Japanese bombers headed for Allied positions, holding their own positions even when enemy troops swarmed all around.
They were Australian-born but Solomon-raised, and adept at survival in the unforgiving jungle environment. Through daring and insight, they stayed one step ahead of the Japanese, often sacrificing themselves to give advance warning of an attack.
In Lonely Vigil, Walter Lord, the number one New York Times best-selling author of A Night to Remember and The Miracle of Dunkirk, tells of the survivors of the campaign and what they risked to win the war in the Pacific.
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What listeners say about Lonely Vigil
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Michael R. Skinner
- 07-07-2023
Superb story, they should never be forgotten
An excellent history of the Coast Watchers who contributed so much to the Allied victory in the South Pacific. Truly heroic men whom we owe a debt of never forgetting their efforts & sacrifice.
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- Anonymous User
- 19-01-2019
Excellent insight into the Coastwatchers
Enjoyed this audio very much. Narration was pretty good, some of the pronunciation a bit strange to Australian ears but not to bad. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in the war in the South Pacific.
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- Roisin
- 28-03-2024
The unsung heroes of the Pacific war
A consummate storyteller, Walter Lord weaves the individual stories of the volunteer Coast watchers, and the Islanders who supported them, against the bigger backdrop of the Pacific War. Hiding out behind enemy lines they provide the Allies with priceless information on enemy movements as well as rescuing splashed pilots, always keeping one step ahead of the Japanese troops hell bent on wiping them out.
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