The Battle of Midway by Craig L. Symonds is an in-depth look at the events and decisions both before and during the Battle of Midway, which began on June 4, 1942. Symonds uses a combination method of words, images and maps to drive home his message in a beautifully crafted work. Overall the book focuses on the war in the Pacific starting immediately after Pearl Harbor and then focusing on the Battle of Midway. The author uses the American perspective, as well as the Japanese one, to portray the many factors of war at sea. Throughout his novel, Symonds explores the many aspects that would lead to an American victory and a turning point in the Pacific War. “The story of what is perhaps the most crucial naval battle in American history must necessarily explore the culture of both the U.S. Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy, as well as the politics and technology of the era.” (Symonds 5). The book begins right in the midst of the cleanup efforts at Pearl Harbor; Admiral Chester Nimitz was sent immediately after the bombs fell to take command of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Nimitz would gain control of the Pacific Fleet for the entire novel. He contributed many key decisions that would lead to American victory. On the opposing front, Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku would lead his feared task force against the American fleet. A major advantage in how the task forces operated is revealed early in the book and would prove vital in the battle. Throughout the book it was evident that aircraft carriers were essential to victory. When attacking an American fleet or land asset, the Japanese combined all of their aircraft carriers into a task force called Kido Butai. While this task force h......middle of paper......sings of the events leading up to the events that occurred on June 4, 1942. It also manages to provide a greater amount of information by explaining the story both from American and Japanese points of view. This way he creates a scenario that is not biased, but lays out all the information and lets readers decide for themselves. Symonds provides information to the reader; often there was information that the reader didn't even know. The Battle of Midway was a very complex battle; Symonds orchestrates this beautifully in his novel. This battle was definitely the turning point of the Battle of the Pacific, even of the entire World War. Many aspects played a key role in deciding who won the Battle of Midway, and this battle was one of the major aspects in deciding who won World War II.