RAN Reading List
General Naval History
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
by Jonathon Parshall and Anthony Tully
published by Potomac Books, Dulles, 2005
Although the Battle of Midway is one of the most significant naval battles of the Pacific, its treatment by historians has not necessarily reflected this. In writing this book the authors set out not only to tell the story of the battle and events surrounding it but also to discredit many of the myths associated with this important engagement. For the first time, extensive use of Japanese as well as English sources are used to help determine: 'Why did Japan lose?' Doctrine, strategy, command personalities and intelligence all helped to determine the final outcome. The authors explain the intricacies of carrier operations to the layman and weave these details into the story of the battle. The narrative is supported by an extensive selection of maps, photographs and diagrams, while it also includes appendices with a raft of background information from Orders of Battle to technical drawings and details on Japanese aircraft. Shattered Sword is compelling reading and should become the standard history of the Battle of Midway.
