“Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Fought between 19 February – 26 March 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle contested between the United States and Imperial Japan in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Over five weeks, the US Marine Corps and Navy aimed to capture the island and its two airfields, South Field and Central Field.
Featuring some of the bloodiest fighting in the entire Pacific Theatre, the battle has become a controversial subject amongst historians who argue about the strategic benefits of capturing the island. Unlike other major battles of the theatre, the Americans ensured victory from the start, though only 216 of the 23,000 Japanese troops on Iwo Jima would eventually surrender, showcasing the Empire’s commitment as a Bushido nation. Join us at What We Reading for the best books on the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The Battle For Iwo Jima 1945 – Derrick Wright
The Battle for Iwo Jima 1945 marked a decisive turning point in the Pacific Theatre, as well as one of the toughest challenges in US Marine Corps history. Derrick Wright’s 1999 book, The Battle For Iwo Jima 1945, still holds its reputation as one of the best books on the battle, documenting how three Marine Divisions stormed the black beaches of the island.
It was supposed to be a ten-day battle, however, through General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a stubborn Japanese resistance would see it drag on for over three times that length. For an easy-to-read chronological guide, this is still one of the best Iwo Jima books available.
Red Blood, Black Sand: Fighting Alongside John Basilone From Boot Camp To Iwo Jima – Charles Tatum
Red Blood, Black Sand is an incredible first-hand account of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of veteran Charles Tatum. As shown in the award-winning HBO miniseries The Pacific, the book chronicles Tatum’s journey from a fresh-faced new recruit to a battle-hardened marine serving under Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone on the shores of the Japanese island.
Covering two hellish weeks on the island, Tatum documents the fall of Basilone and the human meat grinder the battle of Iwo Jima would become, perfectly capturing the tales of heroism, brotherhood and tragedy from those who fought alongside him along the way.
Two Flags Over Iwo Jima: Solving the Mystery Of The U.S. Marine Corps’ Proudest Moment – Eric Hammel
The ‘two flags over Iwo Jima’ has become one of the great symbols of American patriotism in the years since the Second World War. Intrigued by the photo since his early years growing up alongside WWII veterans, Eric Hammel investigates the history and context behind Joe Rosenthal’s photograph of US troops on the top of Mount Suribachi.
Two Flags Over Iwo Jima details the single squadron that defeated 1,500 Japanese atop the 556-foot-high volcano, the identities of the men who raised the first and second flags, and how the US pounced upon the opportunity to make this photo the symbol of patriotism. Hammel vividly brings to life the story of one of the most iconic photos of WW2, revealing the heroism of the men behind it.
A Tomb Called Iwo Jima – Dan King
One of the best Iwo Jima books for those looking for a Japanese perspective remains A Tomb Called Iwo Jima by Dan King. The book is a collection of first-hand accounts of Japanese WWII soldiers, sailors and pilots who were able to survive the carnage.
A mix of individuals evacuated and those captured by the Allies, the Japanese army and navy combatants have a platform to share their experiences from the other side of the battle. Illuminating and powerful in its delivery, it is sure to grant readers a new perspective on the defence of Iwo Jima.
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Indestructible: The Unforgettable Memoir Of A Marine Hero At The Battle Of Iwo Jima – Jack H. Lucas And D.K. Drum
Indestructible is another one of the great Iwo Jima books for those looking to see the carnage of the battle from the eyes of the troops on the group. The book is the first-hand recollection of Jack H. Lucas, the youngest Marine in US history.
Aged just seventeen on the second day of the Iwo Jima landings, Lucas would win the Medal of Honor for his actions on the field of battle. When two Japanese grenades landed in his trench, he jumped on one and pulled the other under his body, being torn apart by 250 entrance wounds but undoubtedly saving the lives of his fellow countrymen. Indestructible is an incredible tale of heroism from one man and his fierce determination to serve his country.
Letters From Iwo Jima – Kumiko Kakehashi
Another one of the best Iwo Jima books for gaining a new perspective on the Japanese side of the battle is Kumiko Kakehashi’s Letters From Iwo Jima. They introduce Tadamichi Kuriyabashi as the maverick general at the heart of the battle, a family man and inspiring leader who would be the first one to realize that he and all of his men were about to die.
Kakehashi offers a heartrending account of those doomed men on the island through the accounts and letters they sent back home. Most were conscripted family men committed to serving their country, and a far cry from the traditional image many have painted of the crazed and fanatical Bushido fighters waving the Imperial flag.
Battle Of Iwo Jima – World War II – Hourly History
For capturing how Iwo Jima became the mass graveyard history would remember it for, Hourly History’s account of the battle is one of the must-reads.
Documenting how Allied victories in the Pacific turned the tide of the Pacific Theatre, making the Japanese commitment to defence much more steadfast, it is the perfect guide to understanding the goals of the battle, and how it played out hour-by-hour over thirty-six days. A perfect overview of the battle, it balances both perspectives, offering an accurate description of the strategies and subtleties that made Iwo Jima unique.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
