South to Java: A Novel

by William P. Mack and William P. Mack Jr.

Book Overview

The crew of an old U.S. Navy destroyer steaming toward a deadly battle in the Java Sea is the focus of this famous novel set at the outbreak of World War II as the Allies attempted to defend the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0933852703
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Nautical & Aviation Pub Co of Amer
• Length: 460 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Tin Can Sailors will enjoy this.

As a USN vet I'm always on the prowl for a good nautical yarn and this book certainly fit the bill when I first found it 17 years ago. South to Java was the first in a six book series known as the Destroyer series and took advantage of the authors first hand experience serving in an old WWI Four piper (funnel) destroyer similar to the ship his heroes serve in. This fabulous story is set in the opening days of World War II with the US Navy's Asiatic fleet stationed at Cavite in the Philippine Islands. The story begins right before the start of the war and continues through the escape of the last ships to Australia after the doomed attempt by the out classed ABDA command at the Battle of the Java Sea. Perhaps the most enjoyable part was the humor and "old school" sea stories the characters, both officer and enlisted, enacted during the course of the book. Its not often that we are treated to the enlisted men's view of a story and this book provided a good balance between the wardroom and crew decks. In summary a good war story, a good naval story and a good story about the people who fought with what they had. Its always about the people and like Admiral Daniel Gallery before him, Admiral Mack does a good job telling their story.

A tragic and heroic period for the US Navy

South to Java is the story of the US and allied navies which were tasked with the defence of the Philippines and Dutch East Indies at the outset of World War II. It is the story of the crew of the destroyer O'LEARY and their lives in the Far East. Admiral Mack was a participant as a young Naval officer in this campaign and I have no doubt much of what he writes is based on his experiences. The charecters of the crew are excellent and true to life. Some remind me of men I've served with in my career. One of the chiefs is hated by all of the crew, yet he comes through in a crunch and helps prevent the ship from sinking after a battle. Other chiefs are much more humane but equally competent. Making due with what you have is what will save the ship. The Sailors are all believable and are extremely competent and in many cases are doing double duty in keeping the ship operating and at the same time teaching the officers the fine art of leadership. The officers are an interesting assortment from Annapolis grads to activate reservists with little if any maritime background. Yet the start of the war, except for one exception, pulls the wardroom together. This is a story of the old Asiatic Fleet; where Sailors made whole careers serving there and then retiring after 20-30 years. Some Sailors served in the same ship for 8-10 years; a far cry from todays rotating men and women every 2-3 years. The other members of the crew, from the engineers, to the gunners mates, the torpedomen and to the doctor all resonate with authenticity. The romatic aspects of the book are not neglected and they are all extremely well and sensitively done. The interactions between the allies also is well done - how many people today know of the role played by the Dutch in the opening months of World War II in the Pacific. These were men who were facing, in spite of popular opinion to the contrary, a highly trained and professional navy sailing in modern ships and using modern aircraft exceptionally well. Facing the Japanese fleet was a collection of ships that were obsolete, with outdated weapons and ready for the scrap heap. As the authors said at one point, the ships weren't worth much but the crews were worth a great deal. This is a story that doesn't really end. It is really only the end of the beginning. The survivors are left with having made it out of danger but are going to have to go back and face it again to bring the war to a close. Admiral Mack has written other books in this time line, but I would like to see a final book that brings closure to the sacrifices of the men of the O'LEARY in his book about the start of World War II in the Pacific. This is an exceptional book and one that you won't put down. It is one that I have read any number of times and find it just as good a read now as when I first read it. Anyone with an interest in the real navy should read this.

Excellent, well researched naval yarn and a nice romance

I enjoyed this yarn with its description of the retreat from SE Asia at the beginning of the 2nd World War and the heart renching impact this had for all concerned.I felt the descriptions and characterisations were pretty good. This is a subject which has given rise to a small literature in English. Two other novels are "Surrender" (I don't recall the author) an excellent story about the escape by boat from the Philippines to Australia of two children and a US serviceman and Alistair MacLean's "South To Java Head".I felt the characterisation of the emotional pain felt by the crew of the elderly destroyer as she left Manila was well captured. I can't help but think that the retired Rear Admiral, who co-authored the work with his son was writing from personal experience, as a young officer dealing with a crew who had emotional commitments in Manila.One also gets the impression from the description of the ship, its escape and actions that the authors have personal knowledge of the type.This kind of well researched detail in a novel always gives it a sense of realism and immediacy.Having lived and worked in South East Asia for a decade or so I can say that some of the descriptions are pretty good.The romance between the young officer and his Dutch sweetheart is nicely described.In places the book does become a bit two dimensional, however, the quality of the story carries the reader through these patches.If the retired Admiral wrote his autobiography I am sure his story would make an interesting read.This review is submitted on condition the content is not ammended.

Great Story about Forgotten Part of WWII in Pacific

This book was a real sleeper. I picked it up for a friend and ended up learning a lot. I really was pulled into the story of Destroyer Captain and his men fighting their way south from the Phillipines after Japanese attack Dec 7, 1941 (on the same day Pearl Harbor was attacked). I found myself rooting for the likeable crew on their journey,and I was so taken by the story that I did more research on the early part of the war in the Pacific after finishing the book. Highly recommended!

Excellent WWII navy story, good characters, well-written

I really enjoyed this book greatly. The dialogue and characterizations are sophisticated, both for the sailors aboard an aging destroyer and the on-shore love interests -- this is not just a boom, bang, bam war novel, in other words. Certainly, I would highly recommend it for any one interested in the genre of naval war books. But I feel I can even recommend it as a fine novel, with good writing, compelling characters and the sort of "yeah, that was a good book" feeling you have when you are done