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Todd Ingram #2
A Code for Tomorrow
Navy Lieutenant Commander Todd Ingram fights the Japanese during the Battles of Cape Esperance and the Santa Cruz Islands, while his girlfriend Helen is trapped on Mindanao
316 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 1999
2988 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
John J. Gobbell
16 books41 followersFROM USC TO YANKEE STATION.
Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, John was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as a deck and ASW officer aboard the USS Tingey (DD 539), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and battle of Leyte Gulf veteran. He did a WESTPAC cruise and fought the battle of YANKEE STATION forming a protective destroyer screen around the carrier USS Hancock (CVA 19) in the South China Sea.
Professional Career
Most of John's career has been in executive recruiting. He was with KPMG Peat Marwick as a consultant for three years. And then for ten years, he was a Vice President Boyden Associates, Inc., a large New York City based international executive recruiting firm. He then founded THE GOBBELL COMPANY in Newport Beach, California where he worked on a retained basis with corporate clients to find senior executives. During a concentrated time of developing and presenting candidates for military aerospace clients, John became fascinated with advanced technology, weapon systems, and the executives who build them. Recently he was the Director of Development for the USC Catholic Center, located at the University of Southern California. There, he worked on a $35.0 million capital campaign to build a new Romanesque church and student center on campus.
In civilian life, John sails in Southern California yacht racing regattas. In younger days he skippered in the Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match-racing regattas featuring skippers from around the world, including America's cup stand-outs.
John and his wife, Janine, also a USC graduate, live in Orange County, California.
Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, John was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as a deck and ASW officer aboard the USS Tingey (DD 539), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and battle of Leyte Gulf veteran. He did a WESTPAC cruise and fought the battle of YANKEE STATION forming a protective destroyer screen around the carrier USS Hancock (CVA 19) in the South China Sea.
Professional Career
Most of John's career has been in executive recruiting. He was with KPMG Peat Marwick as a consultant for three years. And then for ten years, he was a Vice President Boyden Associates, Inc., a large New York City based international executive recruiting firm. He then founded THE GOBBELL COMPANY in Newport Beach, California where he worked on a retained basis with corporate clients to find senior executives. During a concentrated time of developing and presenting candidates for military aerospace clients, John became fascinated with advanced technology, weapon systems, and the executives who build them. Recently he was the Director of Development for the USC Catholic Center, located at the University of Southern California. There, he worked on a $35.0 million capital campaign to build a new Romanesque church and student center on campus.
In civilian life, John sails in Southern California yacht racing regattas. In younger days he skippered in the Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match-racing regattas featuring skippers from around the world, including America's cup stand-outs.
John and his wife, Janine, also a USC graduate, live in Orange County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 2, 2022
Outstanding! Great series!
August 2, 2014
I was especially interested in this book since my pop was in the war and served aboard a battleship in the Pacific fighting the Japanese. He was wounded in one particular kamikaze attack, but stayed his post and shot down the plane, even though part of his ship was on fire. My pop received a Purple Heart and many other medals that were well deserved. It was something he didn’t like talking about. He said, “It brings back too many painful memories.” That is the way many World War Two survivors felt.
This book “A Code for Tomorrow” has a lot of interesting characters and the battles were well researched. It is about the life of a seaman in World War Two. It depicts what brave and courageous men went through both emotionally and physically while fighting for you and me. Overlook some typos, because this story has meaning.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
This book “A Code for Tomorrow” has a lot of interesting characters and the battles were well researched. It is about the life of a seaman in World War Two. It depicts what brave and courageous men went through both emotionally and physically while fighting for you and me. Overlook some typos, because this story has meaning.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
March 6, 2021
This is entertaining and full of Navy jargon which I believe is correct. Also the origins of some naval traditions and superstitions are enlightening. I did NOT a enjoy the fact that somebody FAILED to PROOFREAD this Kindle version before publishing! It is full of grammatical errors and even spelling errors. For instance, when a person inhales and exhales, they BREATHE, not breath as it is throughout the book. Some of the punctuation is off, where the use of commas would make reading a long sentence more cogent. There are also typos. These may seem picky to some and I am not an English teacher, but, I do speak and write properly. I always expect books that I read to be the same. When there are dialects and quotes, that is entirely different as it advances the story and gives flavor to the narrative. I am speaking of mistakes that are easily correctable if the publisher is paying attention.
November 16, 2020
Having read all six books of the series, I will post this "series review" on all six book sites rather than do a review of each book.
Gobbell nicely mixes fictional characters in among actual events and real historical figures of WWII. It's an enjoyable read, although the author's character development is somewhat shallow and forced... shades of comic book defiance and heroics that just rings hollow if you are conversant with the history and with the actual first hand accounts of veterans who were there and experienced much of what LT Ingram did. Nevertheless, if you have an interest in WWII, the author does an excellent job of mixing in authentic technical and historical data with the flow of action involving his fictional characters - destroyers, aircraft, bombs, naval culture and procedures... all well done and credible. The personal relationships and dialogs are soap opera-worthy and artificial in the settings in which he presents them. Lots of sarcastic retorts and impulsive bravado fitting for a teenaged superhero but not a supposedly mature and experienced commanding officer. I found myself just skimming over those interludes to get past them quickly.
And the author could have used a continuity editor. For example, and not to spoil the series, but in one book Ingram is held captive on a Japanese sub with a Nazi interlocutor, supposedly headed for France... eventually the German rejoins the Kriegsmarine at sea to continue on to Europe. (I'm glossing over a lot of details and action in order not to spoil things for potential readers). He is offered the opportunity to ride U437 to Kiel in a couple weeks - he declines for a much riskier way sooner. Two sentences later the character he is talking to remarks he should have boarded U689 because it would have been safer....
In another example, his Intelligence officer friend Toliver briefly mentions the Redman brothers in reference to their internecine warfare between Op-20-G in Washington and the Rochefort shop in Honolulu (all of which is true). Ingram asks who are they and Toliver puts him off - no time to explain now. They have no further interaction at all, yet on the next page, with Toliver having left, Ingram mentions he knows all about the Redman Brothers.... again, maybe just me but naggingly irritating.
Maybe it is just picky me, but that sort of inconsistency in narrative annoys me... and it is fairly prevalent. However, throughout the combat sequences are excellent, as are the times and events at sea. The fictional story lines centered on Ingram overlaid on the actual events and historical figures of the War are compelling and give the reader a good sense of life in those times. The series is good WWII historical fiction.... better in books 1-4 than 5 & 6... and book 6 is set 30+ years after the war with then Admiral Ingram a relatively minor character to the story line involving his son Lt Ingram. Weakest one of the series.
Gobbell nicely mixes fictional characters in among actual events and real historical figures of WWII. It's an enjoyable read, although the author's character development is somewhat shallow and forced... shades of comic book defiance and heroics that just rings hollow if you are conversant with the history and with the actual first hand accounts of veterans who were there and experienced much of what LT Ingram did. Nevertheless, if you have an interest in WWII, the author does an excellent job of mixing in authentic technical and historical data with the flow of action involving his fictional characters - destroyers, aircraft, bombs, naval culture and procedures... all well done and credible. The personal relationships and dialogs are soap opera-worthy and artificial in the settings in which he presents them. Lots of sarcastic retorts and impulsive bravado fitting for a teenaged superhero but not a supposedly mature and experienced commanding officer. I found myself just skimming over those interludes to get past them quickly.
And the author could have used a continuity editor. For example, and not to spoil the series, but in one book Ingram is held captive on a Japanese sub with a Nazi interlocutor, supposedly headed for France... eventually the German rejoins the Kriegsmarine at sea to continue on to Europe. (I'm glossing over a lot of details and action in order not to spoil things for potential readers). He is offered the opportunity to ride U437 to Kiel in a couple weeks - he declines for a much riskier way sooner. Two sentences later the character he is talking to remarks he should have boarded U689 because it would have been safer....
In another example, his Intelligence officer friend Toliver briefly mentions the Redman brothers in reference to their internecine warfare between Op-20-G in Washington and the Rochefort shop in Honolulu (all of which is true). Ingram asks who are they and Toliver puts him off - no time to explain now. They have no further interaction at all, yet on the next page, with Toliver having left, Ingram mentions he knows all about the Redman Brothers.... again, maybe just me but naggingly irritating.
Maybe it is just picky me, but that sort of inconsistency in narrative annoys me... and it is fairly prevalent. However, throughout the combat sequences are excellent, as are the times and events at sea. The fictional story lines centered on Ingram overlaid on the actual events and historical figures of the War are compelling and give the reader a good sense of life in those times. The series is good WWII historical fiction.... better in books 1-4 than 5 & 6... and book 6 is set 30+ years after the war with then Admiral Ingram a relatively minor character to the story line involving his son Lt Ingram. Weakest one of the series.
March 28, 2020
Another Good Read 🇺🇸
This is my second time with this series and was enhanced as much or than the first time! The sea battles were accurate in descriptions of men and machines! One minute, you’re doing as you were trained then all hell breaks lose and you pray that you live threw the chaos. The plot is believable and characters are real in their actions. The only thing that find fault with is coffee service on a destroyer. The only place that cups and saucers were used was in the wardroom. In the Chiefs and enlisted Messes; work areas; and on the deck, everyone used the heavy, white “mugs” without a finger hole. On our way to the states from the Philippines on the “U S S Brewster” (Feb/Mar 1953), a destroyer came alongside the Brewster to transfer a sailor for surgery! While the Brewster had small roll from the sea, the destroyer was rolling like a cork in the ocean, but those not handling the transfer were holding their coffee mugs and moving with ship! 👍😎🇺🇸
This is my second time with this series and was enhanced as much or than the first time! The sea battles were accurate in descriptions of men and machines! One minute, you’re doing as you were trained then all hell breaks lose and you pray that you live threw the chaos. The plot is believable and characters are real in their actions. The only thing that find fault with is coffee service on a destroyer. The only place that cups and saucers were used was in the wardroom. In the Chiefs and enlisted Messes; work areas; and on the deck, everyone used the heavy, white “mugs” without a finger hole. On our way to the states from the Philippines on the “U S S Brewster” (Feb/Mar 1953), a destroyer came alongside the Brewster to transfer a sailor for surgery! While the Brewster had small roll from the sea, the destroyer was rolling like a cork in the ocean, but those not handling the transfer were holding their coffee mugs and moving with ship! 👍😎🇺🇸
February 25, 2021
This is the second installment of a series of that features Todd Ingram, a U.S. Naval officer at the beginning of America’s war with Japan during World War II. In the first book, most of the war action took place in the Philippines. This story has Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands campaign as the backdrop for Todd’s story as the executive officer aboard a Destroyer. The fictional characters are interesting, realistic and believable people. Actual historical figures such as U.S. Admirals Raymond Spruance, William Halsey and Ghormley are presented fairly and accurately. The battle scenes are realistically portrayed and quite intense, especially the naval battle off the Santa Cruz Islands. The fictional part of the story that features Todd Ingram is mostly plausible and a compelling story that keeps you reading hoping for the best for all the primary characters in this story.
July 15, 2024
A good story that needs editing
I like historical fiction with fascinating author-created characters. For example, Hornblower and Sharpe, and there are many others. Ingram and crew are likable, and the story lines are interesting. Mr. Gobbell understands narrative drive.
As an author who has been published several times, and a voracious reader, I not only appreciate a good story and good characters, but also well edited writing. I’ve read two of the books in the series, and each has grammatical and typographical errors. It is distracting, at least for me, to see sloppy editing. It is especially evident in A Code for Tomorrow.
I will continue on, but I suggest to Mr. Gobbell, that he should collaborate with an experienced editor. I would recommend this book and his first one to those who are looking for historical novels about WW II.
I like historical fiction with fascinating author-created characters. For example, Hornblower and Sharpe, and there are many others. Ingram and crew are likable, and the story lines are interesting. Mr. Gobbell understands narrative drive.
As an author who has been published several times, and a voracious reader, I not only appreciate a good story and good characters, but also well edited writing. I’ve read two of the books in the series, and each has grammatical and typographical errors. It is distracting, at least for me, to see sloppy editing. It is especially evident in A Code for Tomorrow.
I will continue on, but I suggest to Mr. Gobbell, that he should collaborate with an experienced editor. I would recommend this book and his first one to those who are looking for historical novels about WW II.
November 25, 2020
A more complex plot than Book 1 (The Last Lieutenant), once again Gobbell creates a gripping tale against the backdrop of World War II with Book 2, A Code for Tomorrow. The detail in the writing certainly demonstrates the author has a deep understanding of his subject which gives this book its authentic feel . There's some good plots twist that he adeptly brings together at the end in a clever way. Only a few times does he present conclusions for the reader without providing enough context to make them either discernible, or credible. God, the typos! Severn River Publishing needs to do a much better job putting out digital versions of its books.
November 13, 2020
USNA61
Pretty good when dealing with actual events, some detail errors, not too many. Love story messes it up, unbelievable events. US built 175 Fletchers and a like number of Sumners/Gearings (Long Hulls). BIW alone built more than the Japanese built in total. I was a Department Head (Ops/Weaps/Cheng) mostly Weaps. Also a Forrest Sherman w 5” 54s. Used VT against troops in the open.
Pretty good when dealing with actual events, some detail errors, not too many. Love story messes it up, unbelievable events. US built 175 Fletchers and a like number of Sumners/Gearings (Long Hulls). BIW alone built more than the Japanese built in total. I was a Department Head (Ops/Weaps/Cheng) mostly Weaps. Also a Forrest Sherman w 5” 54s. Used VT against troops in the open.
January 26, 2021
A Great Story!
I highly recommend this book for those who want to learn more about some of the Naval Battles and other less talked about parts, atrocities in their own rights.
The officers and sailors who fought and died as well as the survivors all deserve their parts in history to be made known, and applauded and honored. What great men and women!
Read this, as well as others by the author!
I highly recommend this book for those who want to learn more about some of the Naval Battles and other less talked about parts, atrocities in their own rights.
The officers and sailors who fought and died as well as the survivors all deserve their parts in history to be made known, and applauded and honored. What great men and women!
Read this, as well as others by the author!
June 15, 2021
Engaging and Richly-Detailed Story
The story itself is engaging and well-written, with all the detail we've come to expect from Gobbell. However, the ebook editing and proofing is terrible: missing and incorrect words, sentence fragments that make little sense, serious grammatical errors, etc. Really spoils the read at times. Nevertheless, it's a good storyline and I recommend it.
The story itself is engaging and well-written, with all the detail we've come to expect from Gobbell. However, the ebook editing and proofing is terrible: missing and incorrect words, sentence fragments that make little sense, serious grammatical errors, etc. Really spoils the read at times. Nevertheless, it's a good storyline and I recommend it.
July 21, 2021
An outstanding and page-turning insight into the people and events driving WWII in the South Pacific
Excellent characters, great behind-the-scenes development and a fresh look at the events as they occurred in the desperate days when American technology and numbers were struggling to catch up with the enemy. Guadalcanal was a key and the naval struggles tense and fierce as witnessed by Iron Bottom Bay. Well worth the time.
Excellent characters, great behind-the-scenes development and a fresh look at the events as they occurred in the desperate days when American technology and numbers were struggling to catch up with the enemy. Guadalcanal was a key and the naval struggles tense and fierce as witnessed by Iron Bottom Bay. Well worth the time.
February 27, 2023
Todd Ingram book 2
This second book in a series seemed to start slow but then quickly picked up speed. I was born 5 years after the end of WWII and was married to a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war. I have a strong interest in WWII and this series delivers action and combat. I feel as if I’m right there during battle. I didn’t think The Last Lieutenant couldn’t be beat but this book was very good.
This second book in a series seemed to start slow but then quickly picked up speed. I was born 5 years after the end of WWII and was married to a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war. I have a strong interest in WWII and this series delivers action and combat. I feel as if I’m right there during battle. I didn’t think The Last Lieutenant couldn’t be beat but this book was very good.
June 18, 2023
There are 7 volumes of this Todd Ingram Series, and yes, I will probably do at least one more. The historical references and dates in this series are all true, including the higher echelon officers. The protagonist is fictional. WWII was such a historical point in our development as a country that I thoroughly enjoy each fact.
The novel, of course, carries the book and keeps any reader engaged. For me, historical novels teach me the history of WWII without boring me to death. I loved it.
The novel, of course, carries the book and keeps any reader engaged. For me, historical novels teach me the history of WWII without boring me to death. I loved it.
October 18, 2024
Very Disappointing
This time and area offer so many opportunities to weave a compelling story. The author fails to do so. The editing was so bad as to be laughable, like he was too cheap to pay for line editing. He just dropped in the occasional quote mark here and there to see if I was paying attention, or the occasional mystery punctuation. Although I finished the book, I was in reader pain for the last half. I won’t bother with him again.
This time and area offer so many opportunities to weave a compelling story. The author fails to do so. The editing was so bad as to be laughable, like he was too cheap to pay for line editing. He just dropped in the occasional quote mark here and there to see if I was paying attention, or the occasional mystery punctuation. Although I finished the book, I was in reader pain for the last half. I won’t bother with him again.
May 18, 2020
An Excellent Read
I've read one and two can't wait to read #3. I'll start on it as soon as I finish this. Excellent story with a little history thrown at in. Good descriptions of the USN's torpedo problem during the first year or so of WW 2. Though I don't think the enemy helped fix it, but an excellent twist. There is enough action and spying to satisfy the adventure reader.
I've read one and two can't wait to read #3. I'll start on it as soon as I finish this. Excellent story with a little history thrown at in. Good descriptions of the USN's torpedo problem during the first year or so of WW 2. Though I don't think the enemy helped fix it, but an excellent twist. There is enough action and spying to satisfy the adventure reader.
October 13, 2020
Very good and interesting fictional novel. Being an Army vet, I knew very little about the navy, but now learning a lot about that branch of service. Only complaint is the proof readers missed numerous spelling, grammatical and punctuation mistakes. Now reading the next in series and don't want to put it down.
November 16, 2020
Good second volume to the series.
Todd has a new ship and Helen is with Amador fighting the guerrilla war in mindanao. Great naval battles and harrowing encounters with the Japanese. Treachery from our Russian allies (things haven’t changed much in 70 years). A good story, built on pretty accurate history. On to the next volume.
Todd has a new ship and Helen is with Amador fighting the guerrilla war in mindanao. Great naval battles and harrowing encounters with the Japanese. Treachery from our Russian allies (things haven’t changed much in 70 years). A good story, built on pretty accurate history. On to the next volume.
February 21, 2021
Todd Ingram, fresh off of his escape from Corregidor, continues his U. S. Navy service in the South Pacific theatre. Old friends and new enemies come into play as Todd becomes involved in another rescue mission, this time on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Lots of action, both on land and at sea in this one.
October 15, 2021
Reminds me of PT Deutermann it’s that good!
This is a great follow up to the first book in the series. The characters are so well developed you can’t wait to find out what happens to them. Like PT Deutermann Gobbell is spot on with his technical details. Can’t wait to read the next book.
This is a great follow up to the first book in the series. The characters are so well developed you can’t wait to find out what happens to them. Like PT Deutermann Gobbell is spot on with his technical details. Can’t wait to read the next book.
November 17, 2021
Loved it
Book 1 was an excellent read, so book 2 had to be good to compete, and boy it sure does.
As in the first book there is plenty of action to keep the page turning, and even though it jumps around from character to character and navy to navy, it never gets confusing. I am really looking forward to book 3, keep that bar set high John J.
Book 1 was an excellent read, so book 2 had to be good to compete, and boy it sure does.
As in the first book there is plenty of action to keep the page turning, and even though it jumps around from character to character and navy to navy, it never gets confusing. I am really looking forward to book 3, keep that bar set high John J.
November 25, 2021
Code for tomorrow review
Love this book. Historic, your in the novel with them. Such a time, it describes what it was to be in a time of war. Constantly reminding me what freedom costs, and every hero’s sacrifice who served and continues to serve.
Couldn’t put this book down.
Five stars, thanks!
Love this book. Historic, your in the novel with them. Such a time, it describes what it was to be in a time of war. Constantly reminding me what freedom costs, and every hero’s sacrifice who served and continues to serve.
Couldn’t put this book down.
Five stars, thanks!
June 3, 2022
Second of Good Books by Gobbell
Todd Ingram series continues. On a destroyer in Iron Bottom Sound, back in the Philippines, finally in San Francisco he continues his career during WWII. Helen, becomes major part of story as does Amador. Action throughout & surprises in every chapter. Good Read!
Todd Ingram series continues. On a destroyer in Iron Bottom Sound, back in the Philippines, finally in San Francisco he continues his career during WWII. Helen, becomes major part of story as does Amador. Action throughout & surprises in every chapter. Good Read!
August 17, 2020
Great WWII ACTION & SEA STORIES,lots of details
THIS BOOK PICKS UP FROM THE ESCAPE FROM CORREGIDOR , COVERING GUADACANAL & GUERRILLA ACTION , IN THE PHILIPPINES, PLUSE ESPIONAGE & TECHNICAL BATTLES TO OVERCOME FAILURES. INTERESTING & HISTORIC.
THIS BOOK PICKS UP FROM THE ESCAPE FROM CORREGIDOR , COVERING GUADACANAL & GUERRILLA ACTION , IN THE PHILIPPINES, PLUSE ESPIONAGE & TECHNICAL BATTLES TO OVERCOME FAILURES. INTERESTING & HISTORIC.
February 6, 2021
A great action packed war story.
The author has written a War story with a great deal of suspense and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat and totally entertained. Very enjoyable reading.
The author has written a War story with a great deal of suspense and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat and totally entertained. Very enjoyable reading.
March 13, 2021
A well written novel with plenty of naval jargon and military customs. Some of story is kind of unrealistic, but it is a novel. The battle in the Philippines was a large part of defeating the Japanese and this story highlighted some of the battles!
April 21, 2021
Sort of Herman Wouk light, not in a bad way, these are fun and clever and as good or better than W.E.B. Griffith. Also full of intertwined plots, good characters and more period technical and cultural correctness than most. 4.5 stars but I round down.
July 4, 2021
Proofreading helps!
4 stars for the 2 I've read so far & I find the missing conjunctions along with missing words, name & sex changes annoying. A decent proofreader is invaluable. Albeit the aforementioned gripes good stories!
4 stars for the 2 I've read so far & I find the missing conjunctions along with missing words, name & sex changes annoying. A decent proofreader is invaluable. Albeit the aforementioned gripes good stories!
July 6, 2021
Graphic description of naval battles in the Pacific ocean.
Good series, to many typos and added words not the authors fault though. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Good series, to many typos and added words not the authors fault though. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 18, 2021
Don't buy!!
Unbelievably poorly edited
Typos and grammatical errors galore
Overwhelmed the (charming) plot
The first book in the series was fun and not nearly as badly edited as the second
Unbelievably poorly edited
Typos and grammatical errors galore
Overwhelmed the (charming) plot
The first book in the series was fun and not nearly as badly edited as the second
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews