Last Epic Naval Battle: Voices from Leyte Gulf

by David Sears

Overview

Taking place in October 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was the biggest naval battle in world history. Drawing upon the personal accounts of participants, Sears describes how the American forces overcame overwhelming odds to defeat the combined Japanese fleet during the invasion of the Philippines. The volume is illustrated with b&w historical photographs. Sears is a business consultant with a special research interest in military leadership. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313041938
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/30/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	268
Sales rank:	1,038,390
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

David Sears is a business consultant. For this book as he researched many battles for examples of military leadership applicable to business settings. He is the author of Successful Talent Strategies (2002) and Best Sellers (2004).

Table of Contents

Foreword by Thomas J. Cutler
Roll Call
Voices of Leyte Gulf and Glossaries
Prologue: Ships in the Seas of the South
Citizen Sailors
Forming Up
Opening Shots
Crossings
Night in Surigao
Morning off Samar
Divine Winds
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography

What People are Saying About This

Jim Hartz

"David Sears has captured the life and death struggles of American sailors and airmen in the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf through a superb marshaling of dozens of first-person, eyewitness accounts. It's a fact-filled, thrilling read"

Allan Topol

"A valuable addition to the military history of the Second World War. By telling the story through the voices of survivors of the naval battles of Leyte Gulf, David Sears has given us a uniquely authentic perspective. The scenes are so vividly described that I felt as if I were an observer at this turning point in the war against Japan."

Vern Clark

"The men came from across America, with little in common beyond a strong desire to serve their nation. Their personal accounts of valor in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds offer a window into a defining battle in our nation's history."

Editorial Reviews

Reading eyewitness accounts of these … Leyte actions makes this an enthralling book to read and I thoroughly recommend it.” —The Naval Review

“This fascinating book offers yet another story of the Navy's victory over the combined Japanese fleet during the U.S. invasion of the Philippines in October 1944. It was the largest battle in naval campaign history, marking the last time major capital ships fought within sight and sound of each other….The author's account relates events from the viewpoints of 60 seamen and airmen, including ship and PT boat commanders, pilots, gunner's mates, firemen, and torpedomen. He sees the true margin of victory coming from surprising quarters; aging ships risen from the graveyard of the attack on Pearl Harbor; small hastily constructed ships with largely untested reserve crews; fragile support ships never intended for battles on that scale; and combat aircraft piloted by teenages….By concentrating this book on deckplate and cockpit operations, heavily flavored with the heartfelt personal recollections of Leyte Gulf veterans, he has added an invaluable perspective to naval history.” —Proceedings

“Taking place in October 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was the biggest naval battle in world history. Drawing upon the personal accounts of participants, Sears describes how the American forces overcame overwhelming odds to defeat the combined Japanese fleet during the invasion of the Philippines. The volume is illustrated with B&W historical photographs. Sears is a business consultant with a special research interest in military leadership.” —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher