THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

Hornfischer recounts the last Japanese attempt at a breakthrough in the Pacific in WWII, during which an American light carrier group miraculously held off a large contingent of warships, though outnumbered, outweighed, and out-gunned. The complex Japanese plan is too complicated to follow comfortably in audio; the battle itself is easier, but the multiplicity of players demands close attention. Grover Gardner reads with controlled emotion and good taste; his clarity and verbal facility keep the complex story moving forward, creating an exciting sea story of battle tactics and raw courage, punctuated by devastating accounts of the human cost. An addendum gives samples of Hornfischer's interviews with American survivors. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]