A companion volume to his bestselling Armageddon Max Hastings account of the battle for Japan is a masterful military history. Featuring the most remarkable cast of commanders the world has ever seen the dramatic battle for Japan of 1944-45 was acted out across the vast stage of Asia: Imphal & Kohima Leyte Gulf & Iwo Jima Okinawa & the Soviet assault on Manchuria. In this gripping narrative Max Hastings weaves together the complex strands of an epic war exploring the military tactics behind some of the most triumphant & most horrific scenes of the twentieth century. The result is a masterpiece that balances the story of command decisions rivalries & follies with the experiences of soldiers sailors & airmen of all sides as only Max Hastings can.