TOP OF THE LADDER: MARINE OPERATIONS IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMONS By Captain John C. Chapin, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Ret) Marines In World War II Commemorative Series 8.5" x 11", 32 page staple bound trade paperback, History And Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., Copyright 1997 Concentrating mostly on the invasion of Bougainville with a view to isolating the strategic island of Rabaul, John C. Chapin, in this offering forming part of a commemorative series of books dedicated to the American Marines, highlights the predicaments posed to a Marine by both nature and the enemy in his fight to liberate the Solomon Islands.The overwhelming and near insurmountable obstacles plaguing the Marines was captured in the following matter of fact manner by a Marine himself: ?Water slimy and often waist deep, sometimes to the armpits?.tangles of thorny vines that inflicted painful wounds?.men slept sitting up in the water?..sultry heat and stinking muck?. The book is complete and in FINE or better condition with some overall wear.