Duffy Presentation on New Guinea Campaign

A good group of Book Club members turned out for James Duffy's presentation tonight on MacArthur's New Guinea campaign before returning home to the final debate of this year's Presidential election season.  And what a wonderful presentation it was!  Mr. Duffy spoke about his latest book, War at the End of the World: Douglas MacArthur and the Forgotten Fight For New Guinea, 1942-1945 , a subject most of us know little about.  The Japanese had invaded New Guinea in 1942 and it was General MacArthur's task to get it back and then return to the Philippines.  The geography and climate of New Guinea itself was as challenging an opponent as were the Japanese.  By September, 1944 MacArthur had accomplished his mission, successfully defeating the Japanese and incurring large Japanese losses, while keeping American casualties to a minimum.  Pictures of the terrain, the soldiers ankle-deep in mud, made it clear to the audience as to just how difficult it was to attain this victory.

November Presentations 

• Bonus Lecture: Monday, November 7, 7 p.m.
  Friends of the Millburn Library present Michael Tougias, author of The Finest Hours, who will discuss his latest book So Close to Home, the true story of an American family's fight for survival from a U-boat attack during World War II.  The presentation will be held at the Millburn Public Library.
• Wednesday, November 16, 7 p.m.
  Karen Huntsberger will discuss her latest book, Waiting for Peace, which tells the true story of Richard Berkey, a combat medic who served with the 68th Armored Infantry Battalion in France and Germany. His story is told through the voices of the people who lived through the momentous events of the war.

Holiday Party: December 14 

• Mark your calendars for our annual Holiday Party, held at the Mayfair Arms, at which Dr. Foglesong will speak on "Harry S. Truman and the Origins of the Cold War."