Because of their strategic location, the Philippines exercised a profound influence in the thinking of both Japanese and American strategists before and during World War II. A number of controversies surrounding the preparations for war, the initial defense of the islands, the Japanese occupation, the conduct of guerrilla operations, and the 1944-1945 American campaign to retake the islands still draw the interest of students and scholars. This work provides a finding aid for individuals seeking to deal with these issues. A bibliographic overview of available periodical and book literature in English, this book is multidimensional, encompassing all aspects—military, political, economic, and social—of the Pacific War as it relates to developments in the archipelago.

The book is an essential source for those looking for insights into the war's impact on Philippine society and also into military operations in and around the islands. With a chronological summary of wartime events in the islands as well as the bibliography, the work constitutes a major contribution to the furtherance of historical inquiry on World War II in the Philippines.