Sanddoc
Torrance
CA USA
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Posts: 5
Joined: 2021
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Bad reading
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Hello
My field of interest is Pacific War, US Navy
My latest purchases have just arrived and I started reading "The Glory of the Solomon's" by Hoyt. 1983
I'm not familiar with this gentleman, but his writing and research leaves a lot to be desired.
As of the first 25 pages I've found so many "wrong" dates, command structure, purpose for
offensive action, that it is almost unreadable. I have over 30 books now starting with William F. Halsey's auto Biography
as he was the primary commander during the Solomon campaign
Do publishers still use "prof readers" ???
So I would say this would be a book to "pass on" if you are interested like me in the Pacific War. It would lead you
down the wrong path
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Brian Grafton
Victoria
BC Canada
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Posts: 4717
Joined: 2004
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Bad reading
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Sanddoc, sounds like you and Edwin Hoyt don’t get along. I hate having an unsatisfactory response to an author, so I know how you feel.
Hoyt was a prolific writer, whose field was largely US military history of WW2 in the Pacific. Although it’s a long time ago, I believe I cut my military history teeth on some Edwin Hoyt books back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I read a volume of his on Kamikazes and on the Guadalcanal campaign, as I recall. I don’t remember being put off by his writing, but I probably brought immature critical skills to the table (I would have been at best around 20, and just learning critical analysis).
I enjoyed the double irony of your: “Do publishers still use "prof readers" ???”. In 1983, they did use human proofers. More, IIUC, Hoyt was a child of the owners of Hoyt Publishers (our of Oregon). He more than most people would know the need for copy proofing.
I’ve long moved on from my interest in the PTO, so I’ve not come across many of his volumes. They are, I admit, dauntingly numerous, which may tempt one to mistrust the depth of scholarship involved.
At any rate, you have noted your dissatisfaction with his volume. That’s what this section of MHO is for. Thanks. If I end up with one his volumes in front of me, I’lll read it carefully.
Cheers. And stay safe.
bg
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"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Walt Kelly.
"The Best Things in Life Aren't Things" Bumper sticker.
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