The Raider

Stephen R. Platt's "The Raider" offers a meticulously researched biography of Evans Carlson, a Marine Corps officer whose unconventional tactics and philosophies helped shape American special operations warfare during World War II. The book illuminates a figure who has long occupied a complicated position in military history, often overshadowed by more conventional commanders yet instrumental in developing methods that would influence special forces operations for decades to come.

Carlson's story begins with his early military service and evolves through his transformative experiences as an observer with Chinese Communist forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Platt carefully documents how Carlson's time in China, where he witnessed Mao Zedong's guerrilla tactics and the organizational principles of the Eighth Route Army, profoundly influenced his military thinking. This exposure to unconventional warfare and the concept of "ethical indoctrination" among troops would become central to Carlson's later innovations with Marine Raiders.

The author devotes considerable attention to the formation and training of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, which Carlson commanded. Platt details how Carlson implemented ideas that were radical for the American military establishment of the era, including more egalitarian relationships between officers and enlisted men, extensive physical conditioning programs, and an emphasis on small-unit tactics. The term "gung ho," which Carlson adopted from Chinese and popularized among his troops, encapsulated his philosophy of working together with enthusiasm and commitment.

The narrative reaches its dramatic peak with the account of the Makin Island raid in August 1942. Platt provides a thorough examination of this operation, which, despite mixed tactical results and significant casualties, achieved important strategic objectives by boosting American morale during a difficult period in the Pacific War. The author presents both the successes and failures of the raid with balanced analysis, avoiding the temptation to either glorify or dismiss its significance.

Equally compelling is Platt's coverage of the Long Patrol on Guadalcanal, a month-long operation behind Japanese lines that demonstrated the effectiveness of Carlson's training methods and tactical innovations. This patrol, less famous than the Makin raid but arguably more significant militarily, showcased the potential of small, highly trained units operating independently in enemy territory. The author's attention to primary sources and veteran accounts brings authenticity to these combat sequences.

Platt does not shy away from the controversies that surrounded Carlson throughout his career. The Marine's political views, particularly his sympathies toward Chinese Communists and his critiques of traditional military hierarchy, made him a contentious figure among senior officers. The book explores how these tensions affected Carlson's career trajectory and the eventual disbanding of the Raider battalions as separate units. The author presents these conflicts as emblematic of broader debates within the American military about innovation, tradition, and the appropriate methods for conducting warfare.

The research underlying this biography is extensive, drawing from military archives, personal correspondence, and interviews with surviving Raiders and their families. Platt's background as a historian is evident in his careful documentation and his ability to place Carlson's experiences within the broader context of World War II military developments. The book benefits from access to materials that provide intimate details of Carlson's thinking and personal struggles.

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of how Carlson's ideas, though sometimes resisted during his lifetime, influenced the development of modern special operations forces. Platt traces connections between Raider tactics and later special forces units, demonstrating Carlson's lasting impact on American military doctrine. This historical perspective adds depth to what could have been simply an adventure narrative.

The writing maintains momentum throughout while never sacrificing detail or nuance. Platt balances combat action with analysis of military culture, political intrigue with personal biography. The result is a comprehensive portrait that reveals Carlson as a complex figure: idealistic yet pragmatic, innovative yet sometimes impractical, inspirational to his men yet frustrating to his superiors.

"The Raider" succeeds as both military history and biography, offering insights into a pivotal period in the development of American special operations while telling the story of an remarkable individual who challenged conventional thinking. The book makes a convincing case for Carlson's historical importance and provides readers with a detailed understanding of how one officer's unconventional ideas helped transform modern warfare.