How Summary and Analysis

In Chapter How, We Are Living Very Fast, the author discusses the invasion of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, three of the Mariana Islands. The American military invasion of these three islands was conducted as a single operation and the plan of attack assumed rapid victory and relatively thin defenses. In fact, resistance was furious and victory was difficult, costly, and involved prolonged combat. The book presents the biographical information about Saipan, then Tinian, and finally Guam. Tinian receives little coverage in the memoir. At Saipan, the US Marines encountered a strong and determined defender who attempted to repulse the initial landings. The Japanese defenders realized they would not be rescued or substantively reinforced but were determined to fight to the end. While the Marines fought ashore, the US Navy engaged the Imperial Japanese Navy in a prolonged series of naval and...