THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF: The Greatest Naval Battle in History

In a book such as this, one rarely expects a flamboyant presentation. There is little dialogue and less dramatic pacing. Instead, we have a well-written history of the greatest sea battle ever fought, that of the Leyte Gulf (Philippines) in late WWII. Iconic characters such as Bull Halsey, Douglas MacArthur and Chester Nimitz cast long shadows across the narrative, and the listener grasps both the historical background, military strategies and personal interactions that shaped the battle, as well as, of course, the battle itself. John Edwardson is perfectly adequate for the job of narration, and his middle-American accents neither add nor detract from the engrossing tale. D.R.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]