HBO's "The Pacific" is based in part on these books:

"Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific" ($16, Bantam Books) by Robert Leckie: Originally published in 1957, this re-issue tells the story of the war from the point of view of Mr. Leckie, played in the miniseries by James Badge Dale ("24").

"With the Old Breed" ($16, Presidio Trade Press) by E.B. Sledge: An original 1981 publication date marks this memoir, written by Southerner Sledge (played by actor Joe Mazzello in the miniseries), whose story becomes the heart of "The Pacific" in its back half. Material from Mr. Sledge's "China Marine: An Infantryman's Life After World War II" ($17.95, Oxford University Press) also inspired the writers of "The Pacific," along with "Red Blood, Black Sand" by Chuck Tatum, a corpsman depicted toward the end of the miniseries.

In addition, other books tell similar stories or spin off of the miniseries:

"The Pacific" ($26.95) by Hugh Ambrose: The miniseries' official companion book was written by the son of the late Stephen Ambrose, whose "Band of Brothers" was the basis of HBO's "Band of Brothers," which was set in Europe. Hugh Ambrose served as a consultant on "The Pacific."

"I'm Staying With My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC" ($14.99, St. Martin's Griffin) by Jim Proser: Although not listed as a basis for "The Pacific," the miniseries does tell the story of Mr. Basilone, played by Jon Seda.

"The Pacific War: From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima" ($19.95, Osprey) edited by Daniel Marston: recounts events in the Pacific theater of operations.

"War in the Pacific" ($45, Osprey) by Richard Overy: includes a foreword by "The Pacific" senior military adviser Dale Dye and features facsimile documents from the era.

The miniseries' soundtrack has also been issued by Rhino Records ($18.98 for the CD; $11.99 for a digital download) featuring music by composers Hans Zimmer, Geoff Zanelli and Blake Neely.

-- Rob Owen,

Post-Gazette TV editor

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.