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O God of Battles
Follows the careers--in combat and at home--of the O'Connor brothers, Michael, the Navy's most decorated submarine skipper, and Andrew, an ace fighter pilot, from Pearl Harbor past V-J Day
359 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1983
77 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Harry Homewood
15 books25 followersHarry Homewood was a qualified submariner before he was seventeen years old, having lied to the U.S. Navy about his age. He served in a little "S"-boat in the old Asiatic Fleet. After Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted and made eleven war patrols in the Southwest Pacific.
After the war, Homewood became Chicago Bureau Chief for Newsweek magazine, chief editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, and for eleven years had his own weekly news program syndicated to 43 PBS television stations.
Homewood was the author of 6 books and lived with his wife in Tucson, Arizona, until his death in 1984.
After the war, Homewood became Chicago Bureau Chief for Newsweek magazine, chief editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, and for eleven years had his own weekly news program syndicated to 43 PBS television stations.
Homewood was the author of 6 books and lived with his wife in Tucson, Arizona, until his death in 1984.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 17, 2019
Can only have been written by a submariner.
It isn't often that words fail me. For my money, Edward l Beach was one of the finest submarine writers. But... Am giving to say... In Harrying Homewoods books. He has found his match
.
Let me say it bluntly.... You cannot write books like Harrying H does, Without having been there.
It shows in every page of this book. I've read a lot of submarine books at my ripe age of 74.
Almost NOTHING comes close to the way this book portrays the submarines role and battle fought against the Japanese.
Jerry Homewood yet again excels himself.
Lifelike char as characters? Are u kidding?
This book is written from the first person. You feel the pain and anguish, the fear,the sweat and tension when the depth charging starts. You feel the relief when the destroyers give up. You share in the emotions. You share in the joys.
All of this is is the sign of a master writer.
Read this book with an open mind. Allow yourself to be transported aboard the Eelfish
Become Mike O'conner. Become Chief O'Brian.
Of all Harrying Homewoods books this has to be my favourite.
At 74 years old I can tell a writer who excells.
Read this book. Enjoy and relive what happens. I did. Harry, Let me just say this: you have surpassed yourself.
Thank you for a number of enjoyable hours. You allowed me to forget my own would and the trials and tribulations of daily life.
Albert.
It isn't often that words fail me. For my money, Edward l Beach was one of the finest submarine writers. But... Am giving to say... In Harrying Homewoods books. He has found his match
.
Let me say it bluntly.... You cannot write books like Harrying H does, Without having been there.
It shows in every page of this book. I've read a lot of submarine books at my ripe age of 74.
Almost NOTHING comes close to the way this book portrays the submarines role and battle fought against the Japanese.
Jerry Homewood yet again excels himself.
Lifelike char as characters? Are u kidding?
This book is written from the first person. You feel the pain and anguish, the fear,the sweat and tension when the depth charging starts. You feel the relief when the destroyers give up. You share in the emotions. You share in the joys.
All of this is is the sign of a master writer.
Read this book with an open mind. Allow yourself to be transported aboard the Eelfish
Become Mike O'conner. Become Chief O'Brian.
Of all Harrying Homewoods books this has to be my favourite.
At 74 years old I can tell a writer who excells.
Read this book. Enjoy and relive what happens. I did. Harry, Let me just say this: you have surpassed yourself.
Thank you for a number of enjoyable hours. You allowed me to forget my own would and the trials and tribulations of daily life.
Albert.
August 28, 2020
A decent war book but anything other than the battle scenes was clunky, slow, and nonsense. Attempts to create a "complex" character in Alex with his preachy religious hangups fell flat. More irritating than helpful to the story, his dialogue and actions went deep into cartoonish levels of virtue signalling and shaming. His alleged 25 kills also put him in the top 10 aces of WWII. Unnecessary. Both brothers winning the Congressional Medal of Honor? Come on.
Also awkwardly thrust into the story: the sailor who had no problem having an affair with a woman at Pearl Harbor, thinking her husband was deployed, but was upset to find out he was actually in the hospital. That matters? Really overly preachy for a war book.
The battle scenes were entertaining and well written, but everything else was just "let's make up some junk about religion and relationships to make a mediocre book around these battles I wrote."
This is the third book of Homewood's I've read, the first two being Final Harbor and Silent Sea. While those also shoehorned in love stories, they weren't as clunky as this one.
Also awkwardly thrust into the story: the sailor who had no problem having an affair with a woman at Pearl Harbor, thinking her husband was deployed, but was upset to find out he was actually in the hospital. That matters? Really overly preachy for a war book.
The battle scenes were entertaining and well written, but everything else was just "let's make up some junk about religion and relationships to make a mediocre book around these battles I wrote."
This is the third book of Homewood's I've read, the first two being Final Harbor and Silent Sea. While those also shoehorned in love stories, they weren't as clunky as this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2019
I had a Audible version and the female reader stunk!! Did not know military time framework kept calling bow of ship bow like in bow tie!! Inflection of the events was off. The story was excellent felt as if you were on board!! The torpedo in 1941 had both magnetic and contact fuses problems. The finally did a controlled test and found the contact firing pin bent on impact. They fixed it and produced a electric torpedo to replace the steam ones that left a wake!!
April 4, 2017
This is probably a 4-star read, however just on knowledge of his subject, Homewood deserves a 5. You can tell by the level of detail in this novel that it is coming from the heart and from personal knowledge...after all he was a certified submariner at the tender age of 17, prior to Pearl Harbor, and of course, stayed in throughout the Pacific Theater battles.
Parts of the story are a little corny and melodramatic. I'm not sure if his intent is to be a bit anti-Catholic, but nevertheless it is probably more true than false considering the time period. His back-story about the father O'Conner certainly comes from someone who lived and reported on Chicago politics. Perhaps there could have been a bit more character development, but after all, this is a war story, and the development is probably commensurate for a developing mariner.
But the overriding accomplishment of this novel is the incredible detail about submarine life, it's heroism, successes, challenges and horrors. "Golly-Geez, Bat-mariner, no way would I volunteer for that job! I'd have s**t my pants before the thing left the dock."
Parts of the story are a little corny and melodramatic. I'm not sure if his intent is to be a bit anti-Catholic, but nevertheless it is probably more true than false considering the time period. His back-story about the father O'Conner certainly comes from someone who lived and reported on Chicago politics. Perhaps there could have been a bit more character development, but after all, this is a war story, and the development is probably commensurate for a developing mariner.
But the overriding accomplishment of this novel is the incredible detail about submarine life, it's heroism, successes, challenges and horrors. "Golly-Geez, Bat-mariner, no way would I volunteer for that job! I'd have s**t my pants before the thing left the dock."
November 24, 2019
Very good especially if you are not a strict Catholic.
Excellent story of two brothers so different yet so much alike. About the stupidity of ingrained ideas and not being willing or able to challenge a dogma or idea. Faulty torpedoes, faulty religion, but real people in a terrible time.
Excellent story of two brothers so different yet so much alike. About the stupidity of ingrained ideas and not being willing or able to challenge a dogma or idea. Faulty torpedoes, faulty religion, but real people in a terrible time.
April 28, 2019
The battles were good
I not sure why religion and faith were so much of the storyline. Being of that faith and marrying into a strong 100% Irish family, and serving in the navy. I felt that it was overplayed in this novel
I not sure why religion and faith were so much of the storyline. Being of that faith and marrying into a strong 100% Irish family, and serving in the navy. I felt that it was overplayed in this novel
November 9, 2019
Great read!
This guy writes right up there with Clancy. Intricate plots, in-depth character development, historical facts to complete a realistic setting and timeline, and accurate details that put the reader right there in the thick of what’s happening. Very, very good books!
This guy writes right up there with Clancy. Intricate plots, in-depth character development, historical facts to complete a realistic setting and timeline, and accurate details that put the reader right there in the thick of what’s happening. Very, very good books!
January 13, 2020
Brothers bedeviled by the Japanese and their consciences
Homewood gives you characters that you can relate to. Ties them together with plenty of wartime action in the air and under the sea. Another winner!
Homewood gives you characters that you can relate to. Ties them together with plenty of wartime action in the air and under the sea. Another winner!
August 7, 2018
Seat of ur pants!
Good excitement, not sure what is going to happen next. Could kind of tell after awhile how it was going to end up.
Good excitement, not sure what is going to happen next. Could kind of tell after awhile how it was going to end up.
August 9, 2018
A good read which kept you interested to the end
From beginning to the end is was all action and believable. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A really good read and an easy way to pass time.
From beginning to the end is was all action and believable. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A really good read and an easy way to pass time.
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November 8, 2019A very good read. Must confess to skimming the 'religious and 'romantic' parts. Ohterwise thoroughly enjoyed all of Harry Homewood novels.
September 19, 2021
Another cracking book
Well written as always ,plenty of detail loads of great characters ,this is the fifth book I have read by Harry have enjoyed them all
Well written as always ,plenty of detail loads of great characters ,this is the fifth book I have read by Harry have enjoyed them all
March 20, 2017
Epic
This was one of the best war books that I have had the pleasure to read. Historical fiction at it's best
The dialogue and the principal characters were believable and you felt as if you knew them. It was like you were right there with them. This a book you could read twice.
This was one of the best war books that I have had the pleasure to read. Historical fiction at it's best
The dialogue and the principal characters were believable and you felt as if you knew them. It was like you were right there with them. This a book you could read twice.
August 14, 2016
Great predictable story
I've read a lot of books dealing with WW II, and this was probably the best one I've read. The action was practically non stop, however when t author started with Andy O'Connor's thoughts about religion in his relationship with his wife, I guessed that Andy O'Connor would not survive the war, and his wife would marry his brother.
I've read a lot of books dealing with WW II, and this was probably the best one I've read. The action was practically non stop, however when t author started with Andy O'Connor's thoughts about religion in his relationship with his wife, I guessed that Andy O'Connor would not survive the war, and his wife would marry his brother.
January 4, 2017
Great twisting plot
Surprised me that it is such a page Turner. I really like a story with adventure, romance and interesting historical background, not to mention great characters.
Surprised me that it is such a page Turner. I really like a story with adventure, romance and interesting historical background, not to mention great characters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews