At All Costs: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Mariners Turned the Tide of World War II

True American Heros

Military and History buffs, take note! This true story is an amazing tale of two regular guys who save the day, save Malta, save WWII, and save the world as we know it! And much in the way of so many of our armed forces, they consider themselves to be just doing their jobs, when in fact they are awesome heros. 'At All Costs' is a riveting tale, so full of well researched facts and fascinating characters. I love this book best for the human love story threaded throughout. Better than a Leon Uris or a James A. Michener tale, because it is all true!! It is a GREAT read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

So much we didn't know - and a woman's WWII story as well!

It is hardly believable that after so many years secret documents are only now coming to light. When you read the author's tale of writing the book (it's an appendix), his search and efforts make page-turning reading! The discoveries about Churchill and Roosevelt are, similarly, very exciting and explain gaps historians have always mis-understood or questioned. Why did - how did - Churchill get Stalin as an ally? Here are the missing facts. And the sea battles? Bravery? Outstanding seafaring tales of heroism all. Then there is a brave woman escaping with her baby son from Nazi Norway at the same time as her husband is saving the day 2,000 miles away! Incredible truth is always better than fiction. Bravo Mr. Moses!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great story - well told

Sailing on the open ocean under the US flag was a high risk proposition during World War II and many American sailors died on merchant ships that were attached by German U boats, Battleships and bombers. War supply convoys were the only way to get material through to the forces that need it. ¿At All Costs¿ takes an intimate look at a critically important convoy. A last ditch effort to bring supplies to a tiny island fighting for life and surrounded by an enemy bent on their destruction. A ship fully loaded with highly flammable aviation fuel, kerosene, and ammunitions is dangerous in peace time with good weather. Now learn what it was like to sail that cargo through the tight quarters of the Mediterranean surrounded by fellow targets under intense enemy attack. If you can put this book down, you probably really need the sleep.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

When ordinary men do the extraordinary

What could have been one of World War II's epic disasters, Operation Pedestal, the do-or-die convoy to relieve embattled Malta, turns out to be one of the great untold stories of the war because a small handful of men just would not quit.

Now, decades later, thanks to Sam Moses' deft, matter of fact style, the ordinary Merchant Mariners who got the desperately needed cargo through "at all costs" finally get their due. Many know at least in general terms the story of the siege of Malta and the awful privations its inhabitants endured, but with this book, the men who risked all to bring in the desperately needed fuel, food, weapons and other supplies finally have their side of the story told.

What is the most engaging about the story of the tanker S.S. Ohio and the two main characters, Merchant Mariners Fred Larsen and Lonnie Dales, is how ordinary they are by American standards of the time. The Ohio just happens to be the biggest tanker in the world at that particular moment (who else but the Americans would build something that big and that fast?) when Winston Churchill personally requested she be loaned to Great Britain in a desperate gamble to save Malta. When Larsen and Dales, both wounded and their own ships in the convoy sunk, climb aboard the battered Ohio, it is with no thought other than to get to Malta because that was the job at hand - never mind repeated air and submarine attacks for days on end.

This is the kind of true war story that will have you turning the pages right until the final one, and then leave you shaking your head in amazement. An excellent read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a GREAT book!

My father served in the Merchant Marine during WWII. I bought him this book for Christmas and he loves it! He lent it to me to read and now I am buying my own copy. Merchant Mariners seldom get the credit they deserve and this book is a great tribute to them.

Extraordinary heroism

This would be an exciting read even if it sat on the fiction shelves. Sam Moses has done an extraordinary job researching the events that led up to one of the most daring missions in WWII. The bravery of the people on Malta is matched only by the heroism of the men who brought the mission known as Operation Pedestal to a successful conclusion. You won't be able to put this book down.

A real Page turner

What a great book... I got an advance copy and wish this were a movie! Robert Kurson - who wrote Shadow Divers - gives it an endorsement - as well he should... it reads like his books! Bravo!

Inspiring!

I seldom read books on the topic of WWII. But this was recommended by a friend, and I decided to purchase and read it. I find any book about genuine human committment and courage heartening, and 'At All Costs' is certainly that kind of story. And if you are interested in WWII, you will be doubly blessed. It reminded me of Wilbur Cross's 'Disaster at the Pole', and of Doug Stanton's 'In Harm's Way' for well-documented accounts of human stamina.

At All Costs: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Mariners Turned the Tide of World War II

The Merchant Marine - the Academy was recently visited by Pres. Bush - is often overlooked. Here is a book with the real blood and guts of a war story, the real men who fought just as hard (if not harder at times, less weapons!) as the Navy and, in the story here, won the day. It is a sea-faring adventure and very, very satisfying - and exciting!

At All Costs: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Mariners Turned the Tide of World War II

Why did Stalin finally give in to Churchill? Why did Russia become an ally? How did the Allies really stop Rommel... was it Montgomery or was it the people of Malta who made it all possible? And, in that famous convoy Pedestal, how did they fight through and why was it all so important? This book answers these questions and more. After so many decades, previous facts finally come to light, either from the mouths of survivors no longer willing to go to their graves with secrets or from 'secret' documents kept hidden in archives in Germany, England and Italy. This book is a page-turning, non-fiction account of how events all come together in war to change what was, in 1942, a certain Axis victory.

Highly recommended

I enjoy reading books regarding World War Two.I have been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over fifty years and grew up during that time frame.Sam Moses does a wonderful job describing events in that time frame! I plan to recommend this book to the book club that I belong to.

personal account - fabulous!

I love war novels, spy novels etc., especially those taking place during WWII. This author, Sam Moses, has obviously done his research, it gives a true sense of the times and his style is riviting!

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