Halsey's Typhoon: The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic Storm, and an Untold Rescue

by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

Book Overview

Halsey's Typhoon is the story of World War II's most unexpected disaster at sea. In the final days of 1944, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey is the Pacific theater's most popular and colorful naval hero.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871139480
• ISBN13: 9780871139481
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Halsey's Typhoon

Being a WWII Navy Veteran, this is by far the best WW II Naval book ever published. Everyone who has served in the Navy and especially aboard a Destroyer should read this book.

HALSEYS TYPHOON

THIS IS A NARATIVE OF ONE OF THE DARKEST TIMES IN U S NAVAL HISTORY. AS A NAVY VETERAN WHO HAS SAILED THE DEEP WATERS OF THE PACIFIC IN A WOODEN MINESWEEPER, I FOUND THE WRITNG EXTREMELY PROFOUND THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SINKING OF EACH OF THE DESTROYERS WAS HEART RENDING. FOR MYSELF IT WAS THE CONCLUSION OF A SIXTY TWO YEAR MYSTERY WHEN I READ THE NAME OF A CLASSMATE FROM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK MOST SINCERELY AND MANY THANKS TO THE AUTHORS FOR A JOB MOST WELL DONE.

The "Tabby" Versus The "Divine Wind"

In supporting MacArthur's invasion of the Philippines, Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet provided protection against the Divine Wind of kamikaze attacks. But it was another Divine Wind - Typhoon Cobra - that proved to be a more deadly foe. Authors Drury and Clavin recount a harrowing tale of destruction, death and heroism in the Philippine Sea. Seven-hundred-and-ninety U.S. seamen perished - higher losses than the Battle of Midway - but the death toll would have been even worse without the valiant efforts of the Tabberer, and its commander, a 29-year-old Naval reservist named Henry Lee Plage. The indefatigable Destroyer Escort's crew plucked 55 men from the roiling waters, often fending off ravenous sharks, who seriously complicated the rescue. This is a great story. And the authors tell it well.

Great book!

I bought this as a gift for a WWII veteran who survived Halsey's Typhoon. He liked it so much, he's buying a copy for all his kids to read.

Powerful, moving story about a disaster at sea

I am not a big fan of non-fiction in general, or military history in particular, but this book was completely absorbing. The authors did a clear and very visceral job of explaining all the different factors that caused this extraordinary tragedy, from the bureaucratic errors to the lack of meterological technology available at the time. The best part, however, is the very human face they put on the sailors, even the ones whose errors were part of the problem. Their stories are captivating and very, very moving. The book made me wish I could meet some of those men.