Books › Sports & Outdoors › Football (American)

The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II

Name: The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II
Price: 19.79 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (989 reviews)

4.3 of 5 Stars: Football (American) - The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II

989

$19.79

Buying Options

Description

Book Synopsis: Instant New York Times Bestseller · Winner of the General Wallace M. Greene Jr. Award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation"Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights is an American classic. With The Mosquito Bowl, he is back with a true story even more colorful and profound. This book too is destined to become a classic. I devoured it.” — John GrishamAn extraordinary, untold story of the Second World War in the vein of Unbroken and The Boys in the Boat, from the author of Friday Night Lights and Three Nights in August.When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, college football was at the height of its popularity. As the nation geared up for total war, one branch of the service dominated the aspirations of college football stars: the United States Marine Corps. Which is why, on Christmas Eve of 1944, when the 4th and 29th Marine regiments found themselves in the middle of the Pacific Ocean training for what would be the bloodiest battle of the war – the invasion of Okinawa—their ranks included one of the greatest pools of football talent ever assembled: Former All Americans, captains from Wisconsin and Brown and Notre Dame, and nearly twenty men who were either drafted or would ultimately play in the NFL. When the trash-talking between the 4th and 29th over who had the better football team reached a fever pitch, it was decided: The two regiments would play each other in a football game as close to the real thing as you could get in the dirt and coral of Guadalcanal. The bruising and bloody game that followed became known as “The Mosquito Bowl.” Within a matter of months, 15 of the 65 players in “The Mosquito Bowl” would be killed at Okinawa, by far the largest number of American athletes ever to die in a single battle. The Mosquito Bowl is the story of these brave and beautiful young men, those who survived and those who did not. It is the story of the families and the landscape that shaped them. It is a story of a far more innocent time in both college athletics and the life of the country, and of the loss of that innocence. Writing with the style and rigor that won him a Pulitzer Prize and have made several of his books modern classics, Buzz Bissinger takes us from the playing fields of America’s campuses where boys played at being Marines, to the final time they were allowed to still be boys on that field of dirt and coral, to the darkest and deadliest days that followed at Okinawa.

Details

Get ready to be swept away by the heart-stopping and emotionally charged true story of "The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II." Written by the renowned author Buzz Bissinger, this instant New York Times Bestseller is a must-read for history enthusiasts and sports fans alike. With its captivating narrative and compelling characters, this book is destined to become a classic.

Step back in time to when college football was at its peak of popularity during World War II. As the nation prepared for total war, the United States Marine Corps emerged as the dominant force for college football stars. In "The Mosquito Bowl," Bissinger transports you to Christmas Eve of 1944, when the 4th and 29th Marine regiments found themselves in the Pacific Ocean training for the grueling invasion of Okinawa. Among them were former All Americans, captains from prestigious universities, and even future NFL players. The intense rivalry between these regiments led to a historic football game that would forever be known as "The Mosquito Bowl."

Experience the raw and powerful emotions as you witness the brutal and bloody clash between the 4th and 29th Marine regiments on the rough terrain of Guadalcanal. This game, played with unwavering determination and spirit, mirrored the harsh realities of war. As the story unfolds, Bissinger sheds light on the immense sacrifices these courageous young men made. Tragically, within months, 15 of the players from "The Mosquito Bowl" would lose their lives in the Battle of Okinawa, marking a profound loss for the world of sports and a nation in mourning.

Bissinger's expert storytelling takes you on a journey through time, showcasing the innocence of college athletics and the nation during this era. With the same Pulitzer Prize-winning style that made his previous works modern classics, he paints a vivid picture of America during World War II. From the vibrant playing fields of America's campuses to the harrowing battlefields of Okinawa, "The Mosquito Bowl" explores the resilience and camaraderie of these remarkable young men.

Don't miss out on this captivating tale of honor, sacrifice, and the power of sports during the most defining period in American history. Immerse yourself in the gripping pages of "The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II" and discover a story that will resonate long after you've turned the final page.

Ready to embark on this remarkable journey? Click here to order your copy now and join the thousands who have been moved by this extraordinary true story.

See All Buying Options...

More Details...