[henkster]

Neptune’s Inferno is a good book, although it does not discuss the naval battles in the Central Solomons in the 1943. So far I haven’t found any really good books about Kula Gulf, Kolombangara or Empress Augusta Bay. They are the “unknown” naval battles of WW2.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Morison's Volume 6 "Breaking the Bismarks Barrier" is about the only thing I've found that covers that period in any detail. It's very much the the naval establishment's view of the campaign but if you've read "Neptune's Inferno" you'll be pretty much able to fill in the blanks.

Mostly during 1943 it's more columns of cruisers with destroyers on either end passing in review of the Japanese formations, until they almost ran out of cruisers. At which point almost in desperation they sent up two divisions of destroyers and met the Japanese destroyer on destroyer at Vella Gulf. They knocked off 3 of the 4 Japanese ships engaged.

The other thing that Morison never mentions is Magic and Ultra, and the fact that Halsey knew what was facing every formation he sent up The Slot. Knowing that makes it even harder to understand why they didn't do a better job of adapting tactics to the various situations.