Tom Carlson Richard Davis Casimiro Ciupalski Tom Hickox Dick Clark Jeff Means Frank E. Albrecht
David McClure John Willis William Andrews Jason VanOrsdol Lee Huber Jon Maguire Louis Epperson

• “Morning of the Rising Sun is the compelling story of the first major Allied combined land, air and sea offensive in the war in the Pacific. Historian and author, Dr. Kenneth Friedman, spent six years extensively researching and painstakingly writing the first draft of this sweeping trip across the battlefields and into the minds and motivations of the combatants ... and it shows. It unflinchingly depicts the deadly details of the war in the jungles, waters and airspace that made up the struggle for control of Guadalcanal.
  
  Dr. Friedman brilliantly lays out the political and cultural underpinnings of that bloody six month donnybrook with the meticulous clarity of an accomplished historian while at the same time taking the reader into the minds, motives and personal experiences of warriors from both sides with a novelist's sense of story. This is an eminently readable and thoroughly enjoyable delineation of the fascinating details of the conflict that changed the course of the war.
  
  Guadalcanal stopped the advance of the Japanese across the Pacific and created momentum that would take the Allies from blood soaked island to blood soaked island all the way to Japan. Hastily organized, audaciously launched and uncompromisingly fought, its outcome was tenuous and uncertain until the very last days and, but for a few propitious moments that we euphemistically, in hindsight, call the fortunes of war, it could easily have turned out differently. And that would have dramatically altered the course of the war.
  
  This book is a valuable addition to our understanding of the causes of conflict and the nature of both victory and defeat, a testament to the honor and courage of those who believed in their cause and fought on both sides. Anyone interested in military history, political history or the very personal nature of war without quarter will find Morning of the Rising Sun a productive investment of their time and a fascinating read.” --- David McClure -- San Francisco, CA
   

• “Just a quick note to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I have read Frank, Leckie, Hammell, Feldt and others and and rate yours at the top. Good work! Definitely a five-star rating.” --- John L. Willis, DDS --- Yuba City, CA
   

• “I read your book Morning of the Rising Sun twice. The second round was even better.
  
  Today the passage of time has dimmed the life of the unforgettable episodes of nobility, agony, despair and triumph. So little recognition is given to all who took part in the war at sea and also on the land in WW-II. To this generation and the generations yet to come, let us remember the wartime sacrifice forever.” --- William F. Andrews -- Nambour, Queensland ,  Australia
   

• “The detail in your book is stunning.  Now, I do see what my step-father means when he said he thought the book would be more a detailing of events, yet turns out to have the details and the human side.” --- Jason VanOrsdol, Owasso, Oklahoma
   

• “I had two close friends that were involved in the land and sea battles of Guadalcanal.  Dave was on the Helena starting at Pearl Harbor and Tom was a marine.
  
  Dave’s description of the sea battles could have been taken from your book, in almost all things it agrees with your book. He was an officer on the deck of the Helena when the Juneau was hit.
  
  Tom was a marine and told of the terrible shelling they endured from the Japanese battleships. 
  
  Reading your book had me on the edge of my chair even though I knew the outcome. Your descriptions of the battles leaves me to wonder how were we able to hold on and win.
  
  My friends are gone now but reading your book was almost as if I was hearing them tell about the battle. Thank you so much, your book brings history alive.” --- Lee Huber, Whispering Pines, NC
   

• “Hi Ken. Love the books!! Your writing style is spellbinding. I am looking forward to the new work, so desperation is not called for. My dad served aboard USS Belleau Wood CVL-24 and was, of course, present at Leyte. The Pacific Naval campaigns are fascinating to me, partly for the personal connection. May your writings continue to flow and enlighten us.” --- Jon Maguire, Brandon, FL
   

• “Thank you for the signed copy of ‘Morning of the [Rising] Sun.’ I have read many books covering wars in my lifetime. But, your book is ‘outstanding.’ I am impressed with the detail and total information. I do indeed thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great labor of yours.” --- Frank E. Albrecht, Riegelsville, PA