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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

By: James D. Hornfischer
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
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Summary

 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The exhilarating true story of the U.S. Navy’s improbable victory at the Battle of Samar—“a dire survival-at-sea saga” (Denver Post) from the acclaimed author of Neptune’s Inferno

“A critically acclaimed, blow-by-blow look at a small American force counterattacking into the teeth of hopeless odds.”—Miami Herald

“The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors will take its place amidst the great literature of World War II.”—Ron Powers, co-author of Flags of Our Fathers

Desperately fought on the morning of October 25, 1944, the Battle off Samar is one of the most celebrated engagements in United States naval lore. Facing overwhelming firepower, with no prospect of reinforcement, thirteen American warships began a fight they couldn’t win—and fought it to the death.

Weaving together extensive interviews with veterans, unpublished eyewitness accounts, declassified documents, and rare Japanese sources, James D. Hornfischer has created an unprecedented account of a naval engagement unlike any other in American history. A resonant portrait of the Navy man’s indomitable spirit and a stirring tale of heroism in the face of hopeless odds, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors unforgettably captures the men, the strategies, and the sacrifices that turned certain defeat into a legendary victory.

WINNER OF THE SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON AWARD FOR NAVAL LITERATURE 20th Century Americas Armed Forces Military Modern Naval Forces War Imperial Japan Aviation Survival Submarine Sailing
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I loved the story and the way it was written and the sacrifice of the sailors

A interesting story

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I will sum this book up very briefly, I listed to it as an audiobook while walking my dog, one minute I was laughing my head off the next close to tears.

It is a wonderful book about an incredible story.

Simply fantastic.

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Straight from the bowels of a Holywood movie, except it actually happened.

There have been few books from World War Two that capture the stark realities of war and the desperation of battle.

This book does it better than any other book on audible.

It masterfully puts you on the deck of the ship, right in the thick of battle and forces you feel the desperate struggle for survival.

Desperate, Haunting and awe-inspiring

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This has been in the background for while I packed up and then started to unpack a house. It has been at times emotionally charged to hear what young men fought and died in the service of their comrades and their country, and a few times I had to pause and reflect (which I find I am doing more as I get older) to my time in the forces in a different time and a different war. Instead of dry statistics and facts, it gives you story of those who loved, worked and died on the ships. If gives you a connection to those boys and men which otherwise would be just a name and a few facts.

A good history and human centred piece of work

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Another good book but preferred the more action packed Neptunes Inferno. Just felt a little slow and repetitive at times

Good but preferred Neptunes inferno

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