“Even against the greatest of odds, there is something in the human spirit, a magic blend of skill, faith, and valour, that can lift men from certain defeat to incredible victory.”
Fought between 4-7 June 1942, six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the Battle of Midway was a major naval battle fought between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan.
One of the largest and most decisive sea battles in history, the Battle of Midway saw four Japanese carriers and three American fleet carriers engage in the battle. Thanks to superior intelligence and a number of key strategic decisions, the US victory at Midway proved to be a pivotal moment in the Pacific War and is still regarded as one of the major turning points in the entire outcome of the Second World War. Join us at What We Reading for the best books on the Battle of Midway!
Battle of Midway: America’s Decisive Strike In The Pacific In WWII (Images of War) – John Grehan
Images of War is one of the most illuminating guides to the battlegrounds of World War II, being made up of an array of high-quality graphic and rare photographs to transport readers to the heart of the action.
Complete with authoritative captions, they are some of the best guides to WW2. In the Battle of Midway edition of the series, John Grehan brings together some of the most striking images from one of the Pacific theatre’s most decisive battles. It paints a vivid picture of all the pivotal moments from the prelude to the battle and the four days of the contest, making it one of the best Midway books for both visualizing and reading about the action.
The Battle Of Midway (Pivotal Moments In American History) – Craig Symonds
For one of the best Midway books that capture how pivotal a moment this encounter was in the course of American history, look no further than Craig Symonds’ The Battle of Midway. Symonds, one of the most celebrated naval historians, presents a riveting account of how American bravery and some shrewd strategic actions from Admiral Chester A. Nimitz brought Japanese supremacy over the Pacific to a close.
Symonds is a master of weaving together the various attacks and counter-attacks from both sides throughout the battle, attempting to dissuade from the argument that it was good fortune that won the day for the Americans, but rather better intelligence and the element of surprise.
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story Of The Battle of Midway – Jonathan Parshall And Anthony Tully
For one of the best Battle of Midway books for presenting a different perspective from the norm, Shattered Sword makes for a compelling read. Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully attempt to present a new narrative by utilising mainly Japanese primary sources on the battle, opening up a unique and potentially controversial viewpoint.
Breaking down the Japanese naval forces piece by piece and examining how hubris and an aura of invincibility paved the way for one of the costliest losses in the country’s history.
The Silver Waterfall – Kevin Miller
In The Silver Waterfall, former tactical naval aviator Kevin Miller breaks down the vital role airpower had to play during the Battle of Midway. The Silver Waterfall breaks with the traditional ship-based perspectives of the battle and places readers in the perspectives of the brave men who took to the skies in what was one of the most defining moments for how generals at sea used aviation.
Acclaimed for his works of WW2 Historical Fiction, Miller’s incredible storytelling comes to the forefront of every page, making for a compelling and personalised read.
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Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan – Mitsuo Fuchida And Masatake Okumiya
The Battle of Midway marked the moment the United States’ fortunes in the Second World War began to turn, and the beginning of the end of Imperial Japan. And it is that latter perspective Mitsuo Fuchida and Masatake Okumiya explore in their famous work, Midway.
Fuchida was a key figure in the air operations of the Japanese carrier force, and his first-hand accounts of the Battle of Midway proved influential in determining post-war opinions of the battle and the circumstances around it. He utilises his own recollections and Japanese archival material to lift the lid on the Japanese perspective of the battle, exposing why Midway marked the beginning of the end for the Empire.
Miracle At Midway – Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein And Katherine V. Dillon
Miracle at Midway has long held acclaim as one of the most accessible and comprehensive guides to the Battle of Midway, shaping many Western perceptions about it since its initial release in 1982. Delivered with a linguistic flair that is rare in Historical writing, Gordon W. Prange takes readers into the thick of the action.
Offering a comprehensive look at the strategies and firepower on display from both forces, it is a thrilling account of how several pivotal decisions paved the way for an American victory in the Pacific Theatre.
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A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight
A Dawn Like Thunder is the thrilling recounting of the true story of Torpedo Squadron Eight by Robert J. Mrazek. This often overlooked part of the Pacific Theatre is given the attention it deserves by Mrazek, who wonderfully tells the story of the thirty-five men who would go on to become the most decorated naval air squadron.
Presenting powerful and personalised character studies of all the men, Mrazek exposes a shocking cover-up that cost many lives, as well as jam-packing the book full of sacrifice, betrayals and heroic battlefield endeavours as the US secured invaluable victories at Guadalcanal and Midway.
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).
