The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Fi...
James D. Hornfischer is a writer, literary agent, and former book editor. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colgate University, he has graduate busin... read full description
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Apr 15, 2011
Brian
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I wanted to give this book five stars but I will get into why I had to give four. I really reserve the 5 star rating for the best books I have ever read. The last half of this book fits this description but the first half falls short.
What I mean by this is the level of detail and the number of people described in the first half of the book, before the battle scenes. I found myself struggling to remember all the names because I knew I would want to remember them when the battles were de More...
What I mean by this is the level of detail and the number of people described in the first half of the book, before the battle scenes. I found myself struggling to remember all the names because I knew I would want to remember them when the battles were de More...
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Feb 07, 2010
Jacqui
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This should be required reading for all those who serve in the Navy--on or above the sea. It is the story of Taffy 3, a WWII force of America's smallest ships--Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts. Tasked with protecting the carriers that were part of MacArthur's return to the Philippines, they ended up the front line against Japan's largest collection of battleships and the island nation's last gasp to turn the tides of WWII. No one expected these tiny ships--therein lies the name, 'tin cans'--to f
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Jul 22, 2011
Max
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This is the absolutely amazing story of perhaps the greatest sea battle that you have never heard of. While there bigger and more powerful counterparts were away, a group of tin can ships (carrier escorts and destroyer escorts) that were never supposed to see real battle were engaged by a massive Japanese fleet.
The tiny American ships are forced to outlast their enemies through nothing but seamanship, fortitude, and inferior weapons (and maybe a little luck). The ensuing battle is am More...
The tiny American ships are forced to outlast their enemies through nothing but seamanship, fortitude, and inferior weapons (and maybe a little luck). The ensuing battle is am More...
Jul 12, 2007
Mark
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As a former crew member of the HOEL (DDG-13) the history surrounding the desperate battle at Samar is of great interest. This book captures the extreme peril that was accepted and overcome by the fearless Captains and their crews. Makes one realize that we owe a great debt to the "greatest generation" that we may never be able to repay.
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Jan 09, 2011
John
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An excellent narrative history of the last great surface battle in history where a division of second line US fleet units faced off against much of what was left of the Japanese main fleet.
I've been aware of the heroic actions of Taffy 3 off Samar at the Battle of Leyte Gulf for some time, but only in a more abstract sense from more general histories of the war. This book goes into far more detail concerning the actions of each of the destroyers and destroyer escorts involved, and More...
I've been aware of the heroic actions of Taffy 3 off Samar at the Battle of Leyte Gulf for some time, but only in a more abstract sense from more general histories of the war. This book goes into far more detail concerning the actions of each of the destroyers and destroyer escorts involved, and More...
Dec 07, 2010
Al
rated it: 
An exhaustively detailed and well-researched story of the desperate battle between a powerful Japanese naval force and a task force of U.S. light carriers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts off the Philippines in 1944. The engagement occurred only because Admiral Halsey took his main fleet north in an ill-advised pursuit of a small Japanese carrier force, leaving the other group of ships unprotected. No one saw the Japanese force coming. Outgunned, the U.S. force fought valiantly and i
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Apr 21, 2011
Joe
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This is an incredible story of the sea battle that could have changed the course of the Pacific battle. Against overwhelming odds, a group of courageous "Tin Cans" (smaller Destroyers) fought the BEST that Japan had in Naval carriers. The courage of our smaller ships fought with true heroic effort.
Where were our carriers? A famous Naval Admiral had gone against orders and chased a diversion of Japanese freight ships which fortunately was not aware of the successful feig More...
Dec 06, 2008
Jeremy
rated it:
If you like reading history books about World War II, the Navy or military subjects in general, this is a well written, gripping book worth reading. It's about a single naval battle toward the end of WWII off the coast of the Philippines, A tiny group of small US ships managed to survive (mostly) an intense onslaught by a huge group of Japanese vessels through a combination of luck, determination and strategy, with help from the "fog of war." The author interviewed many of the survi
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Feb 14, 2011
I just finished this book and it's awesome. As an aspiring naval officer, this book really demonstrated to me how much influence an officer has on his crew and the situations he/she are presented with. This book details the heroics of a few small naval vessels against a much larger Japanese fleet during WWII and how their actions brought about one of the US's greatest naval victories. Even after some of these ships went under, many of the stranded sailors drifted for two days in the ocean battli
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May 11, 2009
Christopher
rated it:
I've written before that I am easily annoyed by Tom Brokaw's assertion of the GI Generation as "The Greatest Generation" especially when applied selectively to only Americans. I in no way mean to demean WWII vets (quite the opposite), but I feel like today's young men and women would make the same sacrafices if called upon.
Usually.
The story of Taffy Three is the first time in a WWII history that I have found myself this amazed at the courage under fire of Ameri More...
Usually.
The story of Taffy Three is the first time in a WWII history that I have found myself this amazed at the courage under fire of Ameri More...
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Jun 11, 2011
Paulmbauer
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This is the most gripping story I've EVER read. If it were offered as fiction, nobody would believe it. It's the story of how a small group of small ships held back a huge Japanese armada that could have completely devastated the allied war effort in the Pacific. The skill and determination of these mostly very young sailors is almost incredible. As part of the research on my Civil War novel, I have read probably over a hundred books about soldiers and sailors and war. "Last Stand" has
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Oct 23, 2010
Josh
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This was an excellent book. It's an account of a portion of the Battle of Leyte Gulf that took place off Samar. A small group of American destroyers and destroyer escorts, aided by planes from the escort carriers they were protecting, fought a desperate two-hour action against an overwhelmingly powerful Japanese naval force. Against all odds they not only held the line long enough for reinforcements to arrive but inflicted damages to the Japanese fleet totally out of proportion to their actua
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Jan 02, 2012
Ryan
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Not only a really well paced history of the ordeal of Taffy 3, this almost qualifies as a study in leadership qualities. The book is unabashed in it's criticisms of Halsey and his mistake in chasing Ozawa's decoy carriers to the north, which I found refreshing from the usual reverence with which many authors tend to bestow on Halsey. The aftermath of battle, the plight of sailors adrift who believed they would quickly be rescued adds the final sad counterpoint to the achievements of the men wh
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May 23, 2010
Bank
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It is very easy for me to think of the Roberts and her men as still sailing somewhere only rudely I am not with them .I miss them both, the living and the dead , and sometimes I can't remember in which group a friend belongs . They stay alive and they stay young while I grow old . Young and care free , young all over , young and smiling like Johnny. It is a good way to remember them .
Written by a survivor of the USS Roberts to Johnny LeClerq's mother , ten years after the battl More...
Written by a survivor of the USS Roberts to Johnny LeClerq's mother , ten years after the battl More...
Jan 07, 2010
Colin
rated it:
I never thought I would use the term "gripping", but this book merits that description. This is a very intense recounting of the last major ship-to-ship action in naval history, the Battle of Samar. When a group of destroyer escorts and aircraft carrier escorts are patrolling the Leyte Gulf off the coast of the Philippines, they run smack into a group of Japanese battleships, including the Yamato, largest of her fleet. Hopelessly outgunned and unable to outrun the Japanese, the Amer
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May 14, 2011
Joe
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I fell in love with this book about 6 years ago. It is the most enthalling account of a battle that I have ever read. The depiction of courage and heroism in the face of hopeless odds is inspirational, and quit astounding for having actually happened. It was the kind of stuff that would make a novel seem phony for being so far from normal expectation.
History buffs know of the Battle off Samar on October 24, 1944 (aka The Defense of TAFFY-3), but I find the general public seems lar More...
History buffs know of the Battle off Samar on October 24, 1944 (aka The Defense of TAFFY-3), but I find the general public seems lar More...
Sep 02, 2008
Michael
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This book is an excellent account of the events of the Battle of Samar in October, 1944. Hornfischer has written a dramatic account, liberally spreading quotes, images, and first-person accounts gathered from survivors, reports, and secondary sources about the battle. He does a broad overview of the strategic situation leading up to the invasion of the Philippines by the US and the Battle of the Surigao Strait. It is clear that, like most contemporary authors, he views Halsey's chase to the n
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Dec 30, 2011
Eric
rated it:
A very well-written book about the battle off Samar during World War II. Hornfischer goes into great detail and has great descriptive power.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is new to books on history. Start with a Shaara book. This book does not pack the kind of power that Shaara books do. You get the history here, but not the level of insight into personal character that you get with Shaara books. This makes the read a bit dry at times.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is new to books on history. Start with a Shaara book. This book does not pack the kind of power that Shaara books do. You get the history here, but not the level of insight into personal character that you get with Shaara books. This makes the read a bit dry at times.
Sep 21, 2008
Rich
rated it:
Mostly we were lucky in World War II. The Russians did the heavy lifting against the Germans for several years. Our nation was unhurt during the war. Our soldiers and sailors had it better than those of other allied countries. Our losses were comparatively light.
But that wasn't always the case. In 1944, though the U.S. military was a juggernaut, mistakes were made ....
Long story, but the Navy split commands and left a small unit to fend for itself during the invasion of the Philippi More...
But that wasn't always the case. In 1944, though the U.S. military was a juggernaut, mistakes were made ....
Long story, but the Navy split commands and left a small unit to fend for itself during the invasion of the Philippi More...
Sep 20, 2011
Will
rated it:
This is an epic true story of the U.S. Navy during one of its finest moments; the heroic crews of the badly outnumbered and outgunned destroyers, destroyer escorts, and escort carriers of Taffey 3 hurled themselves at a powerful squadron of Japanese battleships and cruisers that was trying to destroy MacArthur's army in its amphibious assault on the occupied Philippines. They truly were and are America's greatest generation.
Aug 04, 2009
Doug
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I thought this was a truly gripping book to read. And it's true! Close to the end of WW2, as the US is getting closer and closer to Japan, a fleet of their most fearsome ships (cruisers and battleships) tried to break out and escape. The majority of the US fleet was out of position, but the ships that did meet them were destroyers (nicknamed tin cans due to their light armor.) A great story of courage and sacrifice.
Mar 07, 2011
David
rated it:
Written prior to Neptune's Inferno (see my review) this is an engrossing account of the most decisive naval battle of World War II. Hornfischer is not only a diligent researcher and historian, but he's one helluva good writer; his portraits of embattled men at sea are so vivid you can feel their terror and witness their gallantry.
Another must read from a true master of the genre.
Another must read from a true master of the genre.
Dec 28, 2009
Scott
rated it:
Should be the bible of all Navy Surface Warriors. Excellent account of shipboard leadership (both good and bad) during Battle of Leyte Gulf, centering on the incredible engagement between small USN destroyers and huge Japanese Battleships and Cruisers off Samar Island in Philippines. In quiet moments LCDR Ernest Evans will pop into my head. He was skipper of the brave USS JOHNSTON (DD-557). Awarded MOH.
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Aug 05, 2008
Xon
rated it:
Great Navy WWII book. The only challenge was keeping up with all of the American and Japanese ship names, along with who was on what ship.
Many battles seem to be won by the side with the most firepower or available resources. However, this is a great battle where one side is outnumbered and fighting with inferior equipment and still comes out on top. Incredible bravery and skill shown by pilots and sailors that prevented a devestating loss of the American fleet and ultimately saving l More...
Many battles seem to be won by the side with the most firepower or available resources. However, this is a great battle where one side is outnumbered and fighting with inferior equipment and still comes out on top. Incredible bravery and skill shown by pilots and sailors that prevented a devestating loss of the American fleet and ultimately saving l More...
Jul 08, 2011
Dad
rated it:
Hornfisher gives a moving tale of the brave sailors in small ships in a great but little known battle or WW2. He makes you feel there, and gives great detail of how a sea battle worked, how the US won, and how the sailors struggled after the battle. We should read such books to keep in mind how such men strove to defeat the enemy and how much they suffered for our nation.
Oct 02, 2009
Tom
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Great piece of military history, good explanation of the battle from top-level strategic to minute details of shipboard life. Compelling narrative. A few too many characters are introduced; a little too much relish on some of the gruesome details; a little repetitive nearer the end. Finishes strong though, glad to be enlightened about this piece of history.
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Aug 25, 2011
Gary
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This is now one of my favorite World War II histories. It focuses on one event; the Japanese navy's nearly successful attempt to thwart the American's effort to recapture the Philippines. Were it not for the bravery of the navy's back up forces, the main attack might have failed. Out-manned, American destroyers took on the much more heavily armed Japanese battleships and cruisers, driving into the teeth of the enemy. In spite of losing the only aircraft carrier sunk by an enemy ship in the entir
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Oct 28, 2008
Larry
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The subtitle is accurate, this is an extraordinary story. When the largest flotilla of the Imperial Japanese fleet competely surprised the U.S. Navy and steamed into Leyte Gulf the only American ships there to contest their advance were a flotilla of "baby" aircraft carriers and a small force of destroyers and destroyer escorts. Among the Japanese war vessal was the largest battleship afloat, the Yamamoto togehter with several battle cruisers. This was truly a David and Goliath confron
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Dec 11, 2011
Richard
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The naval battles of WWII tend to not get the same amount of attention as the great land battles such as Iwo Jima, Normandy, and the Bulge. However, reading this book about the Battle of Leyte Gulf, it is hard to imagine anything more horrific than warfare at sea, where sinking ships becoming twisted, exploding nightmares of steam, fire, and water.
Sep 03, 2011
William
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Perhaps the best history book I've ever read. A thrilling account of an almost unbelievable action. My father, who served aboard a destroyer shortly after World War II, praised the accuracy and detail provided by the author.
I literally could not put the book down. I read it in one sitting, staying up to the wee hours to finish.
I literally could not put the book down. I read it in one sitting, staying up to the wee hours to finish.
