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Halsey's Typhoon: The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic Storm, and an Untold Rescue | 
 enlarge | Authors: Robert Drury, Tom Clavin
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy Used: $2.16
You Save: $22.84 (91%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 125615
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 0871139480
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.545973
EAN: 9780871139481
ASIN: 0871139480
Publication Date: November 27, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Hardcover. Moderate wear to dust jacket.
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Product Description
In the tradition of The Perfect Storm and Flags of Our Fathers, Halsey’s Typhoon chronicles the epic tale of men clashing against the ruthless forces of war and nature. In December 1944, America’s most popular and colorful naval hero, Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, unwittingly sailed his undefeated Pacific Fleet into the teeth of the most powerful storm on earth. Three destroyers were capsized sending hundreds of sailors and officers into the raging, shark infested waters. Over the next sixty hours, small bands of survivors fought seventy-foot waves, exhaustion, and dehydration to await rescue at the hands of the courageous Lt. Com. Henry Lee Plage, who, defying orders, sailed his tiny destroyer escort USS Tabberer through 150 mph winds to reach the lost men. Thanks to documents that have been declassified after sixty years and dozens of first-hand accounts from survivors—including former President Gerald Ford—one of the greatest World War II stories, and a riveting tale of survival at sea, can finally be told.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 38 more reviews...
 Compelling Tale, Grippingly Told August 26, 2008
This is a LONG audiobook (over 10 hours), but I couldn't stop listening to it. It was incredibly compelling to hear the story of U.S. sailors before, during and after a devastating typhoon in the Pacific at a critical time in the Pacific Theater in World War II. The narrator, Eric Conger, has a voice that draws you in as you listen to the stories of the ships and crews in their daily lives, and how those lives are changed forever, for good or ill, by the typhoon, by the decisions made by the officers, and by their own actions and reactions to awsome and terrifying circumstances.
I found myself liking some men, admiring many, and changing my opinions back and forth about some, as the story developed. I was surprised to hear of then Lieutenant, later President, Gerald Ford's heroic actions in a crisis.
This was clearly well-researched and well-wtitten, and well worth a listen.
 "Halsey's Typhoon" : Best read by people interested in military history July 5, 2008
I received this book as a gift and thought I'd pass along my review to help others who prefer customer feedback rather than marketing hype and fancy book jackets.
Its best enjoyed by people who have some understanding of military history, as I do. Even with my own background, there were terms used that I had to look up and definitions that weren't given.
Although it is packed with good information, the book lacked that "flow" that I so enjoy. It was more "choppy" throughout and that caused me to have to reread things here and there to understand what was being said. For example, I recall at least one incidence of the author using an incomplete sentence structure which is okay when speaking to another person live, but not okay when writing out thoughts on paper.
I rated the book three stars out of five. The text could have been worked some more and polished into a really nice work, but its as if the polishing stage was never reached.
The book does have period photos which is always nice, and because the event was so famous during that era, even more photos are easily researched online.
I doubt the young generation of today knows anything about the event, the typhoon (hurricane) that engulfed the ships during WWII. But, the event does have a link to modern America. The current Presidential Candidate, John McCain, was linked to the storm as his grandfather was one of the Admirals involved in the drama. Also, former President Gerald Ford (now deceased), was a young officer on board one of the ships and who was nearly washed overboard into the sea.
As a side note to people interested in boating, the book provides some useful information on risks of ocean going boats/ships in that part of the world (very near Japan and the Phillipine Islands).
Halsey's Typhoon January 16, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a magnificent read because it was written by people who make their livings writing. The turns of phrase, the interweaving of different time periods, people and ships in, out, and back into the story, even the use of terms that are more easily understood than those written in ancient mariner lexicons make this book refreshingly easy to read and understand. Maybe it helped to have several dozen Navy people editing and helping with the composition. You can almost hear the howling winds and see the translucent greens of the water. Nasty business to be sure, here so eloquently told, on a par with Joseph Conrad. Thank you everyone for a job very well done. Thomas McKnight, old Marine, Washington DC.
Halsey's Typhoon January 7, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was an officer on a destroyer escort, the USS Hilbert, De 742, which was part of Halsey's task force, which is the subject of this book. I was also Deck Officer, during the worst night of the typhoon, and have the most vivid memories, of a harrowing experience. This book is an excellent story of Admiral Halsey's entire operation, and all aspects of this Typhoon, Cobra! It gave me background information, which was new to me. It is very well told, in a narrative manner. which is never dull. I recommend it to every DE sailor and to anyone who is a fan of the US Navy's WW2 fight against Japan.
Outstanding, Exciting, Great Historical Value December 30, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Whether you are a history buff, a seaman, or just someone who desires a wonderfully exciting first hand account of one of the U.S. Navy's worst encounters with nature's fury, this is the one to read! As an ex Destroyer sailor myself,this book renewed my love for the sea and the Navy. Even the political nature of the Navy's Board of Inquiry was interesting. This was a 2 day read for me because I simply could not put it down. Some reviewers state the mistakes in 'Navy jargon' by the authors. Trust me, this will take nothing from this superb book! 5 stars is not a good enough rating. Don't miss this one!!
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