In Harm's Way (Young Readers Edition): The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Story of Its Survivors

True Rescue #5

by Michael J. Tougias, Doug Stanton

A young readers edition of Doug Stanton and Michael J. Tougias' New York Times bestseller In Harm’s Way ―a riveting World War II account of the greatest maritime disaster in US naval history.

"A masterful account of one of history's most poignant and tragic secrets." ―#1 New York Times-bestelling author Lee Child

On July 30, 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine. An estimated 300 men were killed upon impact; close to 900 sailors were cast into the Pacific Ocean, where they remained undetected by the navy for nearly four days and nights. Battered by a savage sea, they struggled to stay alive, fighting off sharks, hypothermia, and hallucinations.

By the time rescue arrived, all but 316 men had died. The captain's subsequent court-martial left many questions How did the navy fail to realize the Indianapolis was missing? And how did these 316 men manage to survive against all odds?

This thrilling wartime account of heroism and survival, Book 5 in the True Rescue narrative nonfiction series, is inspiring and unforgettable―the perfect choice for young adventure-seekers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Survival, American History, Audiobook, World War II, Historical

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 8, 2022

About the author

True Survival, rescue and history is the topic of most of my books. that runs through most of my books. My latest book is with St. Martins Press and is titled In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival and Courage. Other nonfiction sea survival and rescue books include Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty, Fatal Forecast and Ten Hours Until Dawn.
Disney made a major motion picture of my book The Finest Hours: The Trues Story of the Coast Guard's Greatest Rescue (Disney kept the same title). The movie stars Chris Pine an Casey Affleck and is a fantastic film.
My co-written history books include So Clost To Home (about surviving a Uboat attack in the Gulf of Mexico), Above & Beyond (the untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis) King Philip's War (Native Americans vs Colonists) Abandon Ship (wwii) and several more
Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends were been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) and I suprised them with another book of misadventures titled The Power of Positive Fishing: A Story of Friendship and the Quest for Happiness. Also in the same category is The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father and Outdoor Misadventures.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sinking of the Indianapolis is a story that is secret laden. There was the cargo that they delivered to Guam -- the makings of Little Boy and Big Man. Why wasn't Captain McVay warned about the presence of enemy submarines in route to Leyte? Would zigzagging have saved the ship? Why did it take so long for the ship to be missed? And then there is the reality that the ending of WW II was announced almost simultaneously with the plight of the Indianapolis. Many people simply forgot it even happened. Captain McVay certainly did not at he had to go through a court martial trial. Having this story told in a Young Reader's Edition is such an important step in preserving our history. The narrative is full of great facts while communicating the deeply emotional toll that this disaster had upon its survivors. Warning: there are some very grim moments in this story. Except for the map at the beginning of the book there were no other photos or visual aids to help tell the tale. I missed those extras and hope they might be included in a finished edition.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Johnny G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in the USS Indianapolis sinking at the very end of a World War II was piqued on the Mad Dog Unleashed radio program on Sirius - normally a sports talk show. Author Doug Stanton was interviewed by Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo about the tragedy. I had no idea that this even happened, and now I will never forget the story of how a series of Japanese torpedos sunk the ship, and the ridiculous 4-day rescue period it took to get the survivors out of the water and to safety. Of course, there is the story after the story, and Captain McVay was wrongfully court-marshaled and blamed for the sinking. It’s not possible to put into words the sacrifices other Americans made (and are making, behind the scenes) so that we can enjoy our freedom.
A really great book, and written in plain language that even I could understand!

[Deb Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of In Harm’s Way (Young Readers Edition) by Michael J. Touglas and Doug Stanton. What a tragic story of the USS Indianapolis sailors losing their lives after Japan torpedoed and sank their ship. I loved the sailor stories of survival and marveled at their ability to overcome the obstacles. I like when authors create young reader editions of non-fiction books. Families can read the stories together or for those that want NF but not the detail of the adult versions, this is a wonderful option. Once the ship sank, I had to keep reading to find out who survived and the rescue operations. You could feel the sailors hope, despair, optimism and hopelessness as they waited for their Navy family to come rescue them. I’m glad the authors had notes at the end to talk about the African American sailors and Hispanic sailors. Those stories need to be shared more. Well worth the read for any history fan.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Navy Captain Charles McVay stood on the bridge of his ship, forty-five feet above the main deck of the USS Indianapolis.

Premise/plot: What you see is exactly what you get. In this case, an adaptation for "young" readers (I'd say middle grade on up) of Doug Stanton's In Harm's Way. This nonfiction book is about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis....and the story of its survivors. The book begins by introducing--via a list--the people on board. I believe grouping them together. The survivors did end up grouped together in different groups--as they drifted in the ocean for days. The book alternates between these groups.

My thoughts: I would recommend for those that a) have an interest in SURVIVOR stories, b) have an interest in maritime disasters (aka shipwrecks) c) have an interest in world war II, d) have an interest in history. I love books that deliver exactly what you expect. This is nothing more and nothing less than what it claims to be--an account of the USS Indianapolis.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since Quint talked about it in Jaws, I’ve been fascinated. This was an incredible account of a terrifying, harrowing and amazing story of a sinking and its survivors.

[Emily Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Harm’s Way was an amazing book about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis at the end of World War II. While sailing in the middle of the Philippine Sea, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The resulting chaos killed many of the men on board and the rest were left to jump overboard in the middle of the night. Several groups of sailors ended up together in the ocean for days. With their life jackets failing and sharks attacking everyday, the men were giving up hope. Lots of mistakes caused the delay of the ships arrival to go unnoticed for several days. The men were forced to make decisions and survive conditions that some never recovered from.

This book was so interesting and heartbreaking at the same time. I had never read about the USS Indianapolis and this definitely made me want to find out more. This book will be a great addition for any middle school or high school library. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the young reader's edition of the true story that occurred during WWII when the Japanese torpedo sank the USS Indianapolis. This is a riveting account of how it was possible for hundreds of young American soldiers to be abandoned in shark infested waters for days and days without rescue. It looks at many of the factors involved that were not revealed until later, different groups of people who were separated by tides, currents, and which side of the boat they jumped off from, etc. It also covers the events preceding the sinking as well as the court martial afterwards and other events that happened afterwards.
Back matter includes an epilogue, author's note, information about the USS Indianapolis scholarship, glossary, and bibliography.
This is a highly engaging narrative non-fiction. Highly recommended for grades 6-12. CW for violence, death

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

The book is a technical marvel of a nonfiction in how meticulous and thorough the research and interviews conducted to build it are. Unfortunately I don't see teens picking this up unless a teacher tells them to. I appreciate that this version has new/updated information in it - most YA adaptations fail to bring anything unique to the table.

My only gripe besides this absolutely being a future-school-assignment book is that there was very important information in the afterward and author's note - sections that most teen readers will ignore. I would have liked to have seen this incorporated into the text more specifically.

I guess I'm just not sure that this needed to be made into a YR edition rather than an updated edition. I never read the original, so I can't say how much the main text has been changed for tweens/teens from the adult version.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The USS Indianapolis was about to set sail on a voyage that would change the lives of everyone involved. Sent out toward certain coordinates, they initially dropped the needed items for the building of the atomic bomb, and then headed toward their final destination. They would never arrive.
Several days after not reporting on time, the alarm still had not been raised. The sailors were beginning to lose hope that they would ever be rescued.
With an accidental finding, the story broke, and the Navy did their best to keep it as quiet as possible. It would take more than 50 years for the full truth to come out.

This story was one of determination and survival. I absolutely enjoyed this book! Great for kids who are interested in history.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was debating giving this only four stars, despite the fact it did make me cry with overwhelming emotion, but the truth is, it was a really good book. I listened to it as an audiobook and for the most part it was clear and easy to follow. I didn't get the advantage of the maps, but I am okay with that, I can always look it up if I really want. It was well paced and well written, I also like how it was broken down into parts and how the chapters describe the time periods covered.
The story itself was shocking and horrific, and further the way the Captain was treated was horrible, but I suppose in a way that was the time.
If war history interest you then I would recommend this book as it was really interesting.

[Kimberly Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Harm’s Way is a wonderful historical fiction for young readers (middle school aged) that details the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. The story describes the sailor’s view of survival after the experienced a torpedo attack by the Japanese. This book is recommended for young readers interested in historical fiction. It reminded me of a more complex version of the “I survived” series that my son really enjoyed in elementary school. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. I wanted to cry after reading this story. I’m glad I finished this in time for veteran’s day. Thank you to all of the veteran’s who have served and our current people serving. The sacrifice, courage, and determination described in the story of the survivors of the USS Indianapolis is tremendous. This was a botched job by the navy that was picked apart by the authors.
Readers who like history, survival against all odds, and military stories will enjoy this book.

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing journey through the sinking and subsequent death or survival of the crew of the USS Indianapolis at the end of WWII. Personal recounting is combined with research to make this a gripping story. Maybe for interested middle-schoolers. Definite for YA.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good narrative nonfiction writing. Lots of descriptive details, some very hard to read, but certainly necessary to understand history. Another WW2 story that I never knew. Will definitely recommend to my military readers coming back to school soon.

[Cookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

23-24 FL Teens Read
I admit that I have a great interest in military history, so I was excited to read this book.
The storytelling was great. It was told from a few perspectives which made it very easy to follow.

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn.

[Macy Clendenin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, the greatest generation is amazing!

[Kanar Yousef · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the saddest, darkest, devastating , stories in American history. I can’t even begin to imagine what these men went through. :(

Great read.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea of this tragedy!

[Donnagordon9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrendous tale of death and survival.

[Aimeé Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking. I knew the outcome and cried anyway. YA edition. I highly recommend this story. As a Navy veteran I am enraged at the mishandling of this ship and her crew.

[Cassidy Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book it was very good and intriguing

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story! This book is very informative and descriptive. There were many scenes that were hard for me to read, so it surprised me that it has been suggested for readers from 6th grade and up. I would suggest high school age.