I'll contribute some more. Back before Christmas on a similar thread, a freeper I don't remember recommended two similar books of recent publication that use lots of references not available to some of the older authors
These are by James D Hornfischer and relate in great detail the US Navy in the Solomons and Later in 1944 and 45 with special attention to the marines on the Marianas. It also includes a great discussion of Paul Tibbets and the inside story on his role leading the B29 squadron that dropped thew A bombs. There is also a great deal of discussion on the Japanese total unwillingness to do anything but die.
For those of us that are frugal, these books are available used on amazon for cheap.
