" The 1943 invasion of Bougainville, largest and northernmost of the Solomon Islands, and the naval battles during the campaign for the island, contributed heavily to the defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific War. Here Harry Gailey presents the definitive account of the long and bitter fighting that took place on that now all-but-forgotten island. A maze of swamps, rivers, and rugged hills overgrown with jungle, Bougainville afforded the Allies a strategic site for airbases from which to attack the Japanese bastion of Rabaul. By February of 1944 the Japanese air strength at Rabaul had indeed been wiped out and their other forces there had been isolated and rendered ineffective. The early stages of the campaign were unique in the degree of cooperation among Allied forces. The overall commander, American Admiral Halsey, marshaled land, air, and naval contingents representing the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Unlike the other island campaigns in the Pacific, the fighting on Bougainville was a protracted struggle lasting nearly two years. Although the initial plan was simply to seize enough area for three airbases and leave the rest in Japanese hands, the Australian commanders, who took over in November 1944, decided to occupy the entire island. The consequence was a series of hard-fought battles that were still going on when Japan's surrender finally brought them to an end. For the Americans, a notable aspect of the campaign was the first use of black troops. Although most of these troops did well, the poor performance of one black company was greatly exaggerated in reports and in the media, which led to black soldiers in the Pacific theater begin relegated to non-combat roles for the remainder of the war. Gailey brings again to life this long struggle for an island in the far Pacific and the story of the tens of thousands of men who fought and died there.

First published in 1982. This book, makes sense of Lugard's administration in Egbaland, by to devoting space to the history, religion, and political structure created by the African peoples of western Nigeria. Only by looking at the Egba traditional system and their attempts to modernize their state prior to 1914 can one fully appreciate their sense of loss and betrayal after annexation. The Abyokuta uprising was a very important event during the imperial phase of Nigerian history.

First published in 1982. This book, makes sense of Lugard's administration in Egbaland, by to devoting space to the history, religion, and political structure created by the African peoples of western Nigeria. Only by looking at the Egba traditional system and their attempts to modernize their state prior to 1914 can one fully appreciate their sense of loss and betrayal after annexation. The Abyokuta uprising was a very important event during the imperial phase of Nigerian history.

The Marine Corps has had a long and varied history of action. From its initial task of protecting American ships, its role has expanded to include a wide assortment of roles, including the recent peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Haiti. As the United States evolves, so does the structure and role of the Marine Corps. The Historical Dictionary of the United States Marine Corps is a unique publication since it provides a variety of information about the Marine Corps that would be nearly impossible to obtain from other sources. A brief narrative history of the Marine Corps from its founding to the present provides a key to understanding the varied tasks required of the corps and its members. Included for quick reference is a time line of the main events in the corps' history. Also included is a handy list of acronyms and abbreviations that allow the reader to decode the language of marine life, as well as a series of maps that assist the reader in locating the far-flung operations of the Marine Corps. A long bibliography of the most recent and relevant sources of information concludes the book. Also included are short biographies of Commandants of the Marine Corps as well as other celebrated marines-including many Medal of Honor recipients-and a short summary of conflicts in which the United States engaged and the role that the Marine Corps played in each conflict.