The Pacific

[newmouse2008]

As you know, Phillip and I are definitely in!

Tom Hanks has really made quite a reputation for himself as a producer and we're looking forward to this a LOT. Heck, I'm telling my age, but when i was growing up (60's-70's), I used to watch "Victory at Sea" with my dad in black and white - they showed that as "filler" late at night back when there were only three networks (in case some of you are too young to remember that).

I also cannot tell you how many times Phillip has made me watch "Tora, Tora, Tora" and "Midway."

Did we grow up on the same house? With one tv, no remote and only 3 channels, dad ruled what we watched.

I love this show. It is alot more graphic then what we grew up watching, but I am sure alot more realistic.

I'm in!

 

[disneydad78]

I loved it. I knew the first show would be slow. Was I the only one nervious when they where about to storm the beach. That boat ride had me on the edge of my seat. Good show I cant wait for part 2 .

 

[disneyfan55]

Just had to look at this when I saw the title. I grew up in the town that John Basilone lived in during the WWII era and went to school with a few of his neices and nephews. We have a parade every fall in his honor and the town of Raritan, NJ is really excited about all this!!

 

[Reifsy]

Well that link answered this question also, three books The Pacific by Hugh Ambrose, Helmet for my Pillow by Leckie and The Old Breed by Eugene Sledge. Friend of mine is loaning me 2 of the 3 when the series is over.

Speaking of books ... at the end of the episode, Chesty Puller marched by with his troops. I don't know if you read Marine! but it is the story of Chesty Puller. He was one tough dude!

 

[Launchpad11B]

Speaking of books ... at the end of the episode, Chesty Puller marched by with his troops. I don't know if you read Marine! but it is the story of Chesty Puller. He was one tough dude!

Indeed. A once in a generation leader. We could use more like him today.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't have HBO but once the season is over I'll find it out there somewhere to watch it. I loved Band of Brothers and I still think their series Rome is the best thing I have ever seen on TV.

 

[dpuck1998]

I don't have HBO but once the season is over I'll find it out there somewhere to watch it. I loved Band of Brothers and I still think their series Rome is the best thing I have ever seen on TV.

I think you can watch it online right now!

http://www.hbo.com/#/the-pacific

Just had to register and I'm watching now!

 

[slapwhitey]

Finally watched it today during my lunch. I am SO going to love this show. Can't wait for part 2. We don't get a lot of U.S. Military history up here so I'm severely lacking in that department. From reading this thread though can I assume that these main characters are "true" characters and these stories are based on first hand experiences? Forgive me if this is an obvious question.

 

[dpuck1998]

Finally watched it today during my lunch. I am SO going to love this show. Can't wait for part 2. We don't get a lot of U.S. Military history up here so I'm severely lacking in that department. From reading this thread though can I assume that these main characters are "true" characters and these stories are based on first hand experiences? Forgive me if this is an obvious question.

I think its what most people would call historical fiction, while based true stories they use some "poetic license"

 

[slapwhitey]

Thanks Don, that's kinda what I thought but figured I'd check with the pros.

 

[dpuck1998]

Episode 2 is over, another great episode and a very cool representation of how to win a Medal of Honor!

My only beef again this week is the show is very short. Didn't actually start until almost 9 mins in and was over with 9 to go, that means the actual show was only 42 mins long. I haven't compared to Band of Brothers, but those sure felt longer.

Everyone else enjoy week 2?

 

[Dodie]

Wow. Just wow. Excellent explanation/depiction of what valor looks like.

Certainly made the incomprehensible very realistic.

I was sitting there stunned and Phillip looked at me and said, "What did you think they went through?" I answered that, thankfully, I honestly had never thought about how awful it really was.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Wow. Just wow. Excellent explanation/depiction of what valor looks like.

Certainly made the incomprehensible very realistic.

I was sitting there stunned and Phillip looked at me and said, "What did you think they went through?" I answered that, thankfully, I honestly had never thought about how awful it really was.

Most people don't Dodie. Great episode. A hero is someone who puts fear aside and does what has to be done. That's what this guy did without plan or forethought.

 

[slapwhitey]

Haven't watched part 2 yet. Looks like it was a good one though. Hopefully tonight.

 

[eazyeray]

I like this thread. It's giving me good book recommendations. I'm mostly into reading books on pre-1860s US history but the show has gotten me interested in the pacific theater more. You would think my grandfather serving in WWII would get me interested first. Here's a story he told me once. He served on the battleship Massachusetts (which btw is parked in my and his hometown of Fall River, MA) and there was a guy from, I think he said Alabama. This guy only joined the Navy because he was poor and needed shoes and nice clothes. During the bombing of Casablanca they were really pounding the city from the ship and this guy was really excited. At one point he asked someone what those big splashes in front and behind the boat were. He was told that's them shooting at us dummy, we're at war! Well that guy ran inside the ship and didn't leave till the next port where my grandfather says he got off and left.

 

[Launchpad11B]

I like this thread. It's giving me good book recommendations. I'm mostly into reading books on pre-1860s US history but the show has gotten me interested in the pacific theater more. You would think my grandfather serving in WWII would get me interested first. Here's a story he told me once. He served on the battleship Massachusetts (which btw is parked in my and his hometown of Fall River, MA) and there was a guy from, I think he said Alabama. This guy only joined the Navy because he was poor and needed shoes and nice clothes. During the bombing of Casablanca they were really pounding the city from the ship and this guy was really excited. At one point he asked someone what those big splashes in front and behind the boat were. He was told that's them shooting at us dummy, we're at war! Well that guy ran inside the ship and didn't leave till the next port where my grandfather says he got off and left.

You might like "War on the Run" by John Ross. It's the story of Robert Rogers, The first Ranger captain and the model for todays Army Rangers. It covers mostly the French & Indian war. A brutal and powerful book.

 

[eazyeray]

French Indian war is something I'd read and haven't really read much about it. I'll put that on my list. I'm thinking of mabey a Spanish American war book or a Teddy Roosevelt bio next. I think Dave Mccullough wrote a TR book and I like his work.

 

[Dodie]

I loved episode 3. Phillip's assessment was that it was like the first half of "Titanic" - all icky love story with no action.

Seriously though, imagine being from the US in the early 1940s and finding yourself somewhere as far away as Australia, without the benefit of everything we know now. It had to have seemed like paradise after what they'd been through (even if all of the single ladies hadn't been so accomodating).

The Medal of Honor memorial is here in downtown Indy along the canal - where each recipient has an icon with their photo and the story of what they did. We're going to go check out Basilone this weekend.

 

[tammyroo]

I enjoyed last night's episode too. I didn't care for the explicit sex scenes...why is that even necessary? I have an imagination and am pretty intelligent...I don't need anyone to really spell it out for me. Anyway, my DH and I were trying to watch it with our 17 son and its just not appropriate so I had to keep changing the channel, which was annoying. I know, I know he can go to the movies and see much of the same thing but the difference is that I am not sitting in the room with him.

 

[disneyfan55]

I loved episode 3. Phillip's assessment was that it was like the first half of "Titanic" - all icky love story with no action.

Seriously though, imagine being from the US in the early 1940s and finding yourself somewhere as far away as Australia, without the benefit of everything we know now. It had to have seemed like paradise after what they'd been through (even if all of the single ladies hadn't been so accomodating).

The Medal of Honor memorial is here in downtown Indy along the canal - where each recipient has an icon with their photo and the story of what they did. We're going to go check out Basilone this weekend.

The small town in NJ (Raritan) where John Basilone lived celebrates (long before the fanfare of this miniseries) his life and honors. There is a yearly parade in Sept along with statues and inforamtion always available. I grew up with many of his neices and nephews in Raritan and went to school with them.