One Square Mile of Hell by John Wukovits Summary
Overview of One Square Mile of Hell
Wukovits' harrowing account of Tarawa's 76-hour bloodbath humanizes forgotten heroes like Eddie Albert, who rescued Marines under fire before Hollywood fame. With 4.29/5 stars and Oliver North calling it "a must-read," this dual-perspective narrative reveals why some battles never leave survivors.
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Hell in Paradise: The Battle That Shocked America
Imagine a tiny island paradise transformed into the most heavily defended shoreline of World War II. In November 1943, American Marines stormed the beaches of Betio, a speck of land in the Tarawa Atoll smaller than New York's Central Park. What followed was seventy-six hours of combat so brutal it forever changed how Americans viewed war. Until Tarawa, censors had sanitized war coverage, shielding the public from graphic realities. But the shocking casualties-over 3,000 Marines killed or wounded in just three days-and Norman Hatch's unflinching combat footage shattered these barriers. When the documentary "With the Marines at Tarawa" hit American theaters, it stunned audiences with its raw depiction of war's horror. Time correspondent Robert Sherrod, who waded ashore with the Marines, later called it "the most haunting memory of World War II." What made this battle so pivotal wasn't just its strategic importance but how it stripped away America's sanitized perception of war, forcing a nation to confront the true cost of victory.
From Texas Teenagers to Marines in Paradise
Fortress Betio: The Impregnable Island
Into the Maelstrom: The First Wave Assault
The Grinding Battle: Yard by Bloody Yard
The Cost of Victory: A Stinking Golgotha
The Legacy: Wounds That Never Heal
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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