Course Reviews - Prior Students

World War II - Pacific

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class on WW II in the Pacific Theater.  As you know, I am a retired Navy Captain with 31 years of service, and your class was fantastic!  It helped me put together in logical chronological order the military events of the Second World War, with details that I never knew.  My brother-in-law, Ray Thayer (90 yrs old), and my grandson, Reed Dillon (13 yrs old) also enjoy the course very much.  You were an excellent instructor and went out of your way to answer any questions, and allow students to ask questions.  As a fellow member of the Naval Order, you were exceptional, and you are truly fulfilling one of the missions of our organization by teaching military history.  I sincerely hope that we will be able to meet in person one day soon. Robert Turpin, Captain, USN (Ret), Phoenixx, AZ

“Whether you are a novice or an expert, Richard Sperry’s excellent online course, The War In The Pacific, is a must. From the 1930’s Great Depression and American neutrality, to the pre-war tom-tom’s of political posturing and threats, to the world leaders and military characters, from Pearl Harbor to Midway and across the Pacific until the dropping of the atomic bombs, Richard is a masterful story teller and historian. He makes this all-encompassing global catastrophe come alive with beautiful slides and pictures, statistics, book recommendations and accuracy. His lecture style is smooth, understandable, organized and always willing to field questions and provide timely answers. Upon course completion, you will have achieved a greater understanding of how this segment of history has influenced our lives today. Please do not miss this unique opportunity.” Gary Laine, DDS, LT, Naval Order of the United States, San Francisco, CA 7-21-21

Richard Sperry’s course on the War in the Pacific is an excellent introduction to the massive sweep of the history of the war from Japanese actions in the two decades leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor to the surrender on the Missouri. I came to the class with a personal mission to see the actions my Dad saw. He is a WWII MIA, lost following the Battle off Samar.

I already knew which actions my Dad’s three ships were engaged in, from the West Virginia, badly damaged at Pearl Harbor, the Worden, and Hoel, but I was hungry for more. Happily, Mr. Sperry’s course gave me far more than I expected. Not only did I get a vivid look at those battles in which my Dad’s destroyers were engaged, from Guadalcanal to the Battle off Samar, but I could now understand the role destroyers play in battle, strategies, and outcomes. I came away from the class with a glimpse of what my Dad saw, experienced, and am very grateful for that. I also came away with a greater appreciation and understanding of the magnitude of war in the Pacific and the odds against us when we declared war on Japan.

Mr. Sperry is a generous historian. The atmosphere of the class was collegial and warm. Mr. Sperry welcomed questions and information shared by participants. Mr. Sperry’s powerpoint presentation of the history is excellent, full of maps, facts, figures, personalities. I am a bona fide history junkie and will take other courses, particularly the French and Indian War and the War of 1812. I will also recommend Mr. Sperry’s WWII classes to the organization of American WWII orphans, AWON, of which I am a member. Betsey Belvin, American WW II Orphans (AWON), Bryn Mawr, PA, 7-22-21

"Great and informative course. Well presented. Would take another course from same lecturer. Enjoyed immensely. Tom Pratt, US Army, Malvern, PA, 7-21-21

Excellent, comprehensive  survey of the vast scope of the Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to Burma to Okinawa, Guadalcanal and Atom Bomb. It highlights significant battles and campaigns and as promised offers a book list for independent follow-up. Enjoyable for all ages as well as the retired sailors, airmen and Marines among us. CAPT. Robert G. Oliver, New Haven, CT JAGC, USNR (Ret.)

Over seven sessions, Richard Sperry took the narrative lead across four years of the Pacific War history and kept our cohort thoroughly engaged and always interested.  He wisely structured tales and visuals of only the most important strategic actions and stitched together every campaign history in the Pacific theater of operations.  Richard's delivery was never overwhelming, always collegial and provided analysis and explanation.  For me, it was his genuine bursts of amazement, exclamation and excitement recounting combat diaries that really made me enthusiastic to simply relax and enjoy each class each week.  Very respectfully recommended! Mike Pietkiewicz, Honolulu, Hawaii, USNR (ret) 4-15-21

I recently completed Richard Sperry's WW ll in the Pacific course  sessions). It was an outstanding course and one that I highly recommend. The information and interaction among students were very much appreciated and though I had read a lot about the War, there was much new information Skip Werthmuller, Captain USN (ret) Washington, DC, 4-14-21

The class on naval warfare in the Pacific in WW ll was excellent.The instructor was very knowledgeable, and the class discussions were interesting. I learned a lot and looked forward to attending Monday class each week. Bert Ritchie, Bryn Mawr, PA, Yale '61, 4-14-21

Thinking that I already had a pretty good grasp of the history of World War II in the Pacific, I expected the course to be pretty much just a refresher. It was a refresher, but it was also so much more. I learned a lot that was new to me. Well done! Thanks. Warren Ayers, Bryn Mawr, PA, 4-14-21

Very well done. Richard is exceptionally knowledgeable about the back story and details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as a number of other aspects of World War II. I found the detail regarding the Japanese perspective and rationale especially interesting, as it often receives short shrift in American circles. He also went the extra mile in providing access to a very lengthy recommended reading list without participants having to make a special request. That is much appreciated. Richard was very personal & patient with participant questions. I welcomed the opportunity to learn from him and strongly encourage others to do the same. (Don, Indianapolis 8-20-20)

Excellent presentation and overview of the Japanese background and events of the bombing of Pearl....Richard Sperry provides a comprehensive overview of the background leading up to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. With the 80th anniversary coming up next year, it is a timely introduction to the story of Pearl Harbor and the America's entry into WWII. Mr. Sperry's enthusiastic presentation, with excellent graphics and book recommendations makes one want to learn much more about the different "players" and theaters of WWII. (K. Watson, Verne, CA 12-20-20)

The course was a good overview of WW II in the Pacific and helped provide a thread through all the many books I've read on the subject. And, it put everything together in a rational timeline — I did not really realize that, aside from Guadalcanal, the US was not able to go on the offensive until about mid-1943. Also, since most of the books I've read have been on the Navy and Marine Corps actions, I was not fully aware of MacArthur's march up through New Guinea not the Burma and China campaigns (which I'm now reading about). The course was excellent and well worth the time. And, Zoom was fine. DJ Brranning, USN, San Francisco, CA 11-5-20

"This WW II course was excellent. Six fast-paced lectures covering all the highlights sprinkled with interesting new facts. Good archival photos, too, gave the talks context. And anecdotes from other participants were interesting, as well.. Plus many great book referrals on naval history. Well worth the investment. Thank you." Jonathan Jones, Commander, Naval Order of the United States, PA 10-30-20

"This is the second course that I have taken from Mr Sperry. Again it was excellent, well organized and informative. I appreciate that it was offered via Zoom since my activities are limited by the Pandemic. Mr Sperry is electronically adept. WW II is the Pacific is more complicated to follow than Europe. Mr Sperry made this much clearer." John T Sommer, MD, Bryn Mawr, PA 10-24-20

"The course was informal and informative. The high level approach enables the students to decide which particular topics they wish to study further. Richard is knowledgeable and covers a great deal of material while leaving sufficient time for questions." Joe Mongan, CDR, USN (Ret), Radnor, PA 8-26-20

"I especially appreciate the comments and recommendations for further reading that were provided. I’ve added 4 of the recommended books to my WW2 Pacific queue, the latest being Hornfischer’s, The Last of the Tin Can Sailors. Thanks!", Bill Gaunt, Darien, CT, 10-24-20

"This is a comprehensive and very enjoyable course. The Pacific War covered a vast territory and many aspects of it are not widely known, beyond such things as Pearly Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal and the other famous islands, plus the bombing of Japan. This covers all of it, including codebreaking, China/Burma/India, New Guinea, and the detail of the recapture of the Philippines - which was far more complex and bloody than often portrayed, Richard is an excellent guide. I recommend it highly." Col Wm P Boswell, USAF (Ret.), 10-24-20

"Just finished taking The War in the Pacific for the second time. It is an extraordinary story of a sometimes desperate campaign to defeat a stubborn and dedicated foe over the vast Pacific territory. A tale of resilience after Pearl Harbor, the crucial importance of aircraft carriers, courage of troops on the ground, and daring Naval officers over the long path to the final engagements in Japan. Rick Sperry  has a fine grasp of the events and people who impacted the story which he presents in a thoroughly engaging manner. Why take it a second time? Like a good movie you see and learn more with a second look. Moreover, Rick adds new material as he finds it to enhance his presentation. Two hidden extras: his book suggestions for further reading, and his students, often Naval veterans, who willing add their personal experiences and perspective to supplement Rick's lectures. Looking forward to a third visit to the War in the Pacific", Steve Dana, Bryn Mawr, PA, 10-24-20

“I consider myself already pretty much of an authority on WW II in the Pacific, but I was surprised and very pleased to learn so much more from Richard Sperry’s class in this topic and historic time. Mr. Sperry shared his extensive knowledge with most engaging presentations that invited active participation and dialogue. I will immediately sign up and look forward to his next class and the chance to learn more about this most interesting period of our history” Thomas S. Connelly, Bryn Mawr, PA

“Richard Sperry’s Course on the World War II in the Pacific was very thorough and enjoyable, I learned a good deal about this subject and the Course gave a good opportunity for interaction.” Robert Marvin, M.D., Rosmont, PA, 8-15-20

“Recently attended Richard's Main Line School Night course on WWII in the Pacific. Very interesting and informative, but I particularly appreciated Richard's informal style of presentation, which included group discussion, feedback and testimonials from others in attendance. It made for a more 'living' experience.” Bill Moetz, Gulph Mills, PA, 8-12-20

“I have been fortunate to experience many good American history courses and can say the course given by Richard Sperry, WWII in the Pacific, is without a doubt among the best.   Mr. Sperry's knowledge of the war is impressive and his course organization made following the complex events of the war much easier.   Some participants had personal knowledge of certain aspects of WWII; their contributions during class were always welcomed by Mr. Sperry.” William McDonald, Haverford, PA, 8-24-20

“Questions were encouraged and answered well.  I believe the aspect of his course which contributed most to the enjoyment of the experience was Mr. Sperry's ability to relate not only facts of WWII, but also his incorporation of the many factors influencing the war's outcome; personality and character of leaders, cultural differences between American and Japan, development of armament, and code breaking, to name a few.  We may have been seated at desks in a classroom but I always felt as though we were gathered around the fire in the hearth listening to a master storyteller.” Patricia McGrath, Havertown, PA, 8-24-20

“I took the class re WWII in the Pacific for 2 reasons – my Dad fought the Second World War in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea and I was on two carriers in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. I wanted to know more detail about what happened in the Pacific during WWII and Richard did an incredible job of filling in the details. He is very knowledgeable and has a well-rounded approach to sharing this information in class. His enthusiasm is contagious and I certainly looked forward to attending each and every class. He welcomes input from the class and encourages participation from all. I look forward to attending another of his classes in the future.” Gordon Crompton, Wynnewood, PA, 8-19-20

“Whether you're a scholar or a neophyte on the subject matter, Mr. Sperry's treatise and presentation of the material regarding World War ll in the Pacific will absolutely have you riveted! He offers insight and reflection on numerous issues surrounding cause and effect of many of the major battles fought hard and won/lost by both sides. I strongly recommend attending his lectures with a follow-up in signing onto his website.” Russ Chomiak, Villanova, PA, 8-10-20