The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise

by Edward P. Stafford

A lasting memorial to the USS "Enterprise, " this classic tale of the carrier that contributed more than any other single warship in the naval victory in the Pacific has remained a favorite World War II story for more than 25 years. 32 photos. 5 maps.

Genres: History, World War II, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Military History, War, Naval History

585 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book while in middle school. When I heard that a new printing of the book was made, I wanted to read it again as it had left an impression on me so many years before. I was not disappointed. The author does a superb job describing the actions of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in World War II. The main actions such as the Battle of Midway are described but what I found more fascinating was the smaller actions. These are various raids and secondary actions which played a roll in the Allied victory. Men died, some simply disappearing, in those actions which are little more than footnotes in most history books. But the actions have all the drama, tension, and danger of the more well known battles.

The air and sea battles are described with flair and are riveting. Even the descriptions of the downtimes in port are interesting, describing a life and time that few of us will experience.

The book is not perfect. It could use more maps detailing the locations better. The author mentions quite a few names without going into detail with the majority. One could say that to do so would make the book too long. Nevertheless, simply to mention a pilots name and say he died over some obscure island does not seem sufficient.

Despite the faults it is a good book and will be a proud addition to my collection.

[J.M. Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a descriptive story! This book follows the USS Enterprise through WWII. If it was possible to care about a ship, this book made me do it. To this day, I am still sad that she was scrapped, although I did make a trip to River Vale, NJ to see the name plate from the stern of the ship.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and read multiple times as a kid

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre. I got it because my mother told me we had a family member who was stationed on this boat during WW2. Very descriptive, lots of detail.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is any one ship that symbolizes the efforts, trials and victories of the US Navy in the war against Japan in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War, it is the USS Enterprise, and this book tells the wartime story of the ship and her crew. Commissioned in 1938, the "Big E" was in almost constant combat until May 1945, when a kamikaze knocked her out of the war. After her gunners and pilots downed 911 enemy planes and sank 71 enemy ships, and after the ship itself earned twenty battle stars, including the Doolittle Raid, Midway and Leyte Gulf, the Big E was finally retired and ignominiously scrapped. All of the actions and slow bits are lovingly recorded in this fine readable account from the point of view of the crew, including those members of the air groups that flew off her. The author himself was a Navy Pilot, and it shows in this skillfully crafted work of military history that everyone with an interest in WWII in the Pacific should have on his shelf. A naval classic indeed.

[Bill V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK book. Much of the strategic matter is dated and in some instances incorrect. There were a few puzzling mistakes such as in part of the book, he'll write that six Japanese carriers attacked Pearl Harbor, which is correct but later on in the book he'll write there were 5. A chapter later it would be six and later still it would be five again.
The best parts of the book are the individual stories of sailors and the recounting of flight deck accidents and accidental deaths occurring due to friendly antiaircraft fire. This is something I don't normally read in most histories.

[Greg Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Incredible Victory in grade school, I came across this book in my Junior High School library. This is when I fell in love with CV-6 USS Enterprise. Wow! What a ship! What a war-record!
If you ever have wondered why the name "Enterprise" was used in Star Trek, or why the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier or first Space Shuttle was named Enterprise, then read this book and you'll begin understand...

[Ralph Echtinaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just the story of the pilots and planes that flew from the Enterprise. There are plenty of stories about the rest of the crew, including one man who worked aloft to repair the air search radar during an attack. I first read The Big E decades ago and still have a paperback version. However, the print is small, making the book a chore to read, and there are no photos. So I ordered the Naval Institute's reissued hardcover version from the Alibris web site.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This on one of those book you stumble across as a rare treasure in a stack of mediocre print. It has a single topic and it stays on topic throughout. Well-written, very informative, carefully crafted, and complete. It was sad to finish such a great read about such a pivotal ship in America's greatest moment.

[Patrick Barnum · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to know why the generation that lived, worked, and fought in WWII will always be considered one of if not the best we have ever produced this is one of the books you need to read. What they went through was absolutely astounding.

[Alex Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Beside Unbroken, this is my favorite World War II novel. For those people who enjoy history, or military history I recommend this book, it is very descriptive about the "life" of the Enterprise.

[Andrew McBurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best and most riveting naval histories written. It helps give a feel for what day-to-day operations were like on one of America's capital ships in the Pacific War.

[Kee]

Found this book in a Thrift Dime Store in Chula Vista, CA, last week... and thought it might be a good read...

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a kid. I recall I enjoyed it then as I was very much into WWII Naval history. I'd like to read it again as a refresher on this greatest ship of the line.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 4 out of 5]

seemingly everywhere during wwii ... the battle record is unsurpassed

[Nick Mosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Historical fiction, I highly recommend this book for you.