The Japanese invaded the Solomon Islands in May 1942 and in July began construction of a large airfield on Guadalcanal. In February 1943, after an epic six-month struggle, they were expelled from the island and it became a staging base for U.S. Admiral William F. Halsey and his South Pacific force. As explained in this fascinating book, the campaign was eventually successful but only after some of the bitterest fighting of World War II.