From Midway to Guadalcanal: Two Months That Changed World War II | Jon Parshall

In this webinar, Jon Parshall will be looking at the incredible speed with which Earnest King assessed the emergent operational possibilities post-Midway. King grabbed them with both hands and went on to create what would be the decisive campaign for the first half of the Pacific War: the struggle for Guadalcanal.

"Shattered Sword" co-authored by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully

This is a recording from the National Museum of the Pacific War. Copyright 2024.
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[KMN-bgyu]

Its real simple folks, when a John Parshall lecture pops up you watch it ASAP

[unclemike]

Parshall is such a great speaker, not only with prepared remarks, but also when unscripted. He makes great use of maps, zooming in and out as needed so we can follow along. He's the most polished and interesting speaker on the Pacific war.

[waynesmith]

John is absolutely the best. He and the guys from Unauthorised history of the Pacific War podcast are magnificent!

[jgjgjg]

I’m a simple man. I see John’s wallpaper, I hit the play button.

[PeterOConnell-pqio]

One of King's six daughters took newpapers to task for their reports about her father's mercurial temperment saying “He is the most even tempered person in the United States Navy. He is always in a rage.”

[barrygeekler]

Thumbs UP for Mr. Jon Parshall, always!

[Briandnlo]

When Jon’s book on 1942 is out, I’m going to read the HELL out of it.

#1 on my wishlist.

[Fulcrum]

All shirt and wallpaper jokes aside. Jon Parshall is an outstanding historian and lecturer. He has done the dirty work slogging through the primary sources and is an excellent lecturer.

[Vito_Tuxedo]

I was introduced to Jon Parshall's work thanks to Drachinifel, who himself is no slouch when it comes to naval history, and has done yeoman work in sparking and then pouring gasoline on my own interest in that subject. Meanwhile, Jon is just utterly brilliant. His command of the facts is without equal, and has depth of knowledge and insight into the nuances of the Pacific war is breathtaking...and when he gets rolling, his storytelling is spellbinding. Thanks for this video!

[russfranck]

Nothings better than a Jon parshall lecture😊

[cliffcannon]

Always new insights in every presentation by Jon Parshall — thank you, sir, for your many years of scholarship and public education. And thank you, Ms. Lauren, for a fine job as moderator!

[azflyer]

Parshall is THE BEST. Great author and speaker. Keep more of this stuff coming. Thanks!

[alexkalish]

The best short summary of the most critical two months of the war extant. The museum is a must see in beautiful country.

[kevinmoore]

In the community of military historians, Parshall is a national treasure: outstanding historian and writer, compelling speaker and teacher. He has a talent for distilling complex issues down to their essence. I jump at the chance to listen to any of his lectures or read what he writes.

[lanimulrepus]

Excellent review...
Being 90 years old, any historical & factual discussion of the Pacific War means a lot to me...

[frankbodenschatz]

John is a national wealth of knowledge!

[rthompsonmdog]

Always great hearing Jon Parshall speak.

[jimsilvey]

If you haven't read Jon's "Shattered Sword", you should. It's great.

[dennisweidner]

As always a tour-de-force by Jon. I'm glad the Australians came up in the questions. Jon mentions the Kokoda Trail. Also worth mentioning as it is often forgotten is the Battle at Milne Bay, fought at the same time as Guadalcanal. Also important is that the British not only had to contend with Adm. King, but also PM John Curtin who wanted to fight the Japanese--understandably as they were moving toward Australia. This was a major issue because a substantial part of the Desert Army in the Middle East was the Australians.

[llanitedave]

Shoutout to the National Museum of the Pacific War. Located in the small but picturesque town of Fredericksburg, Texas, a bit off the beaten path in the Texas Hill Country, it would seem at first glance to be an odd place to put a major war museum. But Fredericksburg was the birthplace and childhood home of Chester Nimitz, and if one is interested in traveling for a museum visit, there's no prettier place to visit one than Fredericksburg, particularly in the spring. Lots of other things to see in the area as well.