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The US Navy and the War in Europe
It is not surprising that the U.S. Navy's Pacific campaign during the Second World War received so much attention from naval historians--certainly the defeat of Japan was the navy's greatest contribution to the war, but the navy also played a significant role in the battle against Hitler. The U.S. Navy and the War in Europe is intended to redress that imbalance--not just to chronicle the many undervalued U.S. operations in the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean, but to reach a more well-rounded judgment of the U.S. Navy's contribution to the victory in Europe. An illustrated, readable history of this under-appreciated aspect of the war, this book takes a revisionist view of the war in Europe.
- GenresMilitary History
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 13, 2020
Generally excellent. ‘The US Navy and the War in Europe’ covers USN and Coast Guard operations from September 1939 through to May 1945, and includes discussions of broader strategic issues and plenty of vignettes, all the while well illustrated by an excellent selection of photos. From the start of the neutrality patrol through the initial escorting of convoys before way broke out, to Torch, Husky, Avalanche and Overlord, as well as the involvement of US ships in the seas of Norway, Stern does an excellent job of giving the reader insight into the range of US naval operations in and around Europe during the Second World War.
The quality of writing is very high and accessible (although it does use a number of nautical terms, but nothing too daunting even for someone who hasn’t read naval history before), and the discussion flows well, carrying you along. The editing is generally sound (only a very few minor grammatical errors that I noticed) and the research thorough, with a comprehensive bibliography provided. While the chapters are large, there is a good index making it easy to find key moments, ships or operations.
However, it’s not flawless - while the author’s analysis is generally on point, there were one or two times when the discussion was a little unbalanced. The clearest and most glaring case of this is when Stern goes out of his way to exonerate King and Andrews of poor leadership during the early stages of Operation Drumbeat. It lays it on just a bit thick when it talks of the ambiguity of the benefits of convoys, such that it is likely to mislead less-informed readers (although I doubt this is intentional), and doesn’t make a very strong case at all that King was restricted by the information available to him.
There was only one factual error I came across, on p. 225, which notes Rear Admiral C F Boyer as the commander of the bombardment group with TF 124, when as best I can tell that position was held by C F Bryant.
The issues few and far between though. Just enough to be worth mentioning, but by no means enough to outweigh the rest of the book. The vast majority of the discussion is both valuable and enjoyable reading, and well worth a read for people interested in the USN in World War Two, or World War Two/naval history more generally.
The quality of writing is very high and accessible (although it does use a number of nautical terms, but nothing too daunting even for someone who hasn’t read naval history before), and the discussion flows well, carrying you along. The editing is generally sound (only a very few minor grammatical errors that I noticed) and the research thorough, with a comprehensive bibliography provided. While the chapters are large, there is a good index making it easy to find key moments, ships or operations.
However, it’s not flawless - while the author’s analysis is generally on point, there were one or two times when the discussion was a little unbalanced. The clearest and most glaring case of this is when Stern goes out of his way to exonerate King and Andrews of poor leadership during the early stages of Operation Drumbeat. It lays it on just a bit thick when it talks of the ambiguity of the benefits of convoys, such that it is likely to mislead less-informed readers (although I doubt this is intentional), and doesn’t make a very strong case at all that King was restricted by the information available to him.
There was only one factual error I came across, on p. 225, which notes Rear Admiral C F Boyer as the commander of the bombardment group with TF 124, when as best I can tell that position was held by C F Bryant.
The issues few and far between though. Just enough to be worth mentioning, but by no means enough to outweigh the rest of the book. The vast majority of the discussion is both valuable and enjoyable reading, and well worth a read for people interested in the USN in World War Two, or World War Two/naval history more generally.
September 21, 2026
Excellent text and photos, with good commentary
The first three chapters are excellent background to the US declaring war not always well covered. The commentary and details are appreciated for example. The repair of or Navy ships in American yards was authorized in the least act his comments or sound.
Suggestion I would make is a book on Leonard Smith experiences with the observers at shades in the United Kingdom before Pearl Harbor
The first three chapters are excellent background to the US declaring war not always well covered. The commentary and details are appreciated for example. The repair of or Navy ships in American yards was authorized in the least act his comments or sound.
Suggestion I would make is a book on Leonard Smith experiences with the observers at shades in the United Kingdom before Pearl Harbor
October 1, 2024
A well written concise account of the US Navy's involvement in the European theater.
Mr. Stern takes readers from the lend-lease, the navy's preparation for war to the Rhine crossings.
He wrote interested accounts of the three major amphibious landings, and actions against U-boats, shore batteries, and the Luftwaffe. The book has many photographs, a glossary and 2 appendices.
Mr. Stern takes readers from the lend-lease, the navy's preparation for war to the Rhine crossings.
He wrote interested accounts of the three major amphibious landings, and actions against U-boats, shore batteries, and the Luftwaffe. The book has many photographs, a glossary and 2 appendices.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews