Except to the planners in Washington and Tokyo, this small atoll and its main island Betio were virtually unknown. Then in 'seventy-six stark and bitter hours' the island was taken, and in the battle the heroism of both attackers and defenders was worthy to stand beside the most renowned in the history of warfare. *** Tarawa: A Legend is Born is part of Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II, and is Book #8 in the Battle Book series.