The parallel stories of a young American farmboy and a Japanese
student, who end up in a deadly game of cat and mouse on a Pacific
island.
It is a world war between with the lives and cultures of empires at
stake, the largest and most vicious war to sweep across the globe. In
spite of the sweep of the war around the world, in August 1942 many were
focused on a rugged and brutal South Pacific island called Guadalcanal.
Here, two determined nations pitted all they could spare committing
every airplane, ship and soldier they could funnel into the cauldron. It
was not just men viciously battling each other to the death, but
inhospitable terrain, weather, disease, illness and even starvation
plagued both sides. Starvation Island 'the Canal' was called by the
Americans, and the Japanese used the same phrase, ga-to to describe
gadarukanaru.
Private Henrik Hahnemann was an eighteen year old Missouri farm boy
growing up in the hard scrabble times of the Great Depression. Known for
his hunting skills, his close-knit family often depended on him to bring
home dinner. Shaken and bitter about the dastardly Japanese sneak
attack, he was fixated on revenge and righting a great wrong. He chose
the Marine Corps as the means for his personal retribution. Granted an
early high school graduation, 'Handyman' Henrik struggled with the
change from a peaceful farmer's son, but his platoon came to recognize
his shooting and hunting skills. When the chips were down he summoned
the determination necessary to survive against hopeless odds.
Superior Private Obatia Yoshiro was an average twenty year old student
expected to eventually take over his father's glass works along with the
production of mysterious glass spheres for the Japanese Army. The
unassuming economics student has another side seldom seen by most. In
the summer months he crews his uncle's fishing boat, exposing him to the
physical and mental demands of the elements. His school plans suddenly
undermined by a draft notice, he makes the best of a dismal and brutal
life of absolute obligation and unquestioning obedience.
Values and beliefs, discipline and obedience, massed firepower or skill
at arms, which would prevail in this nightmare? Or was it a matter of
the small Stars and Stripes flag carried by one or the belt of a
thousand stitches--sen'ninbari--carried by the other? Would either
protect or inspire?
Would they see home again, or did it matter?
