The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

By: James D. Hornfischer

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

“This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”

With these words, Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland addressed the crew of the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts on the morning of October 25, 1944, off the Philippine Island of Samar. On the horizon loomed the mightiest ships of the Japanese navy, a massive fleet that represented the last hope of a staggering empire. All that stood between it and Douglas MacArthur’ s vulnerable invasion force were the Roberts and the other small ships of a tiny American flotilla poised to charge into history.

In the tradition of the number-one New York Times best seller Flags of Our Fathers, James D. Hornfischer paints an unprecedented portrait of the Battle of Samar, a naval engagement unlike any other in US history - and captures with unforgettable intensity the men, the strategies, and the sacrifices that turned certain defeat into a legendary victory.

Praise for The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

“One of the finest WWII naval action narratives in recent years, this book follows in the footsteps of Flags of Our Fathers.... Exalting American sailors and pilots as they richly deserve.... Reads like a very good action novel.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Reads as fresh as tomorrow's headlines.... Hornfischer's captivating narrative uses previously classified documents to reconstruct the epic battle and eyewitness accounts to bring the officers and sailors to life.” (Texas Monthly)

“Hornfischer is a powerful stylist whose explanations are clear as well as memorable.... A dire survival-at-sea saga.” (Denver Post)

“In The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, James Hornfischer drops you right into the middle of this raging battle, with 5-inch guns blazing, torpedoes detonating and Navy fliers dive-bombing.... The overall story of the battle is one of American guts, glory and heroic sacrifice.” (Omaha World Herald)

©2004 James Hornfischer (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Readable from beginning to end, this popular history magnificently brings to life men and times that may seem almost as remote as Trafalgar to many in the early twenty-first century....One of the finest World War II volumes to appear in years." (Booklist)

Great Read

As a former Tim-can Sailor, and with 32 years of service - 18 of which were spent either aboard ships or forward deployed - I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this account of WWII heroism.
This was my second reading; with as much satisfaction as the first.

Great book, bad narration

Pronunciation really does make a difference and this narrator struggled with basic vocabulary. Still a great recounting

wow

this is an amazing story. don't be fooled by the first half of the book. knowing who these were puts a personal touch on the horrors that follow

Bravery and sacrifice

While the author sometimes gets hung up with details that lend little to the heart of this book, the story itself leaves the listener in awe of the bravery shown by the sailors of the United States Navy's Task Force Taffy in the 1944 Battle of the Samar. This is non-fiction history that is as exciting as any adventure novel.

Excellent

This book was outstanding! While a number of reviews denounced the description of the crew and their lives, I thought that it brought life to the work. The description of the battle of Taffy Three was riveting, and their time in the water is heartbreaking.
Initially I had a bit of problem with the readers drone and mispronunciation of words, but I got use to it.
It's hard to believe that this generation of heroes is slipping away and many young people have no idea or appreciate the sacrifice these men made for our freedom.

Absolutely fantastic read!

An amazing story..... amazingly written. I highly recommend to anyone interested in WWII or Naval history. The author gives a well researched, extremely detailed account of the battle. Enjoy!

Great read must be done

You can appreciate what the sellers of World War II one through until you listen to this book. This book demonstrates the bravery the hardship the love that they have for their ship and the love they have for each other read it read it now

Recommended by Jingles from YT

I’ve watched The Mighty Jingles for a while on YouTube, an older YouTubed who commentates on World Of Warship battles. He often recommended a books by James Hornfischer and I figured why not since naval history has always interested me. I can strongly recommend this book from both a story telling standpoint and from a performance standpoint.

amazing story

slow at parts, but overall a great listen . if a war enthusiast I highly recommend

Excellent!

This is an excellent story, and kept me having multiple “driveway” moments…. (Couldn’t turn it off even after pulling into my garage!)