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)

it just needs the pictures

Would you consider the audio edition of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors to be better than the print version?

No , the print version has extra things like pictures and extra blurbs. None the less still good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is not one of those books that you should have a favorite character.

What does Barrett Whitener bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion. I thought this book would be hard to listen to from the little that i read the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes , i did not however.

Any additional comments?

As others have said the audio book is hard to follow , its not told linearly so if you dont remember names you may get confused as it jumps around the timeline.

A must read for all Americans!

An outstanding tribute to our nation's finest. Never forget! God bless them all.

First part of narrative sounded like an electronic text reader but then settled in and was fine.

Fantastic book !!!

Fantastic book very well written and very riveting !! The book flows very well and keeps you excited.This is a story of a young man coming of age in the U.S. Navy . Highly recommend !!!

Tin Can Sailors Rule

Never new the history of the Battle Off Samar. Funny how it has never received the coverage that other battles of WW II have received. Was in the 7th Fleet on a Tin Can out of Pearl Harbor during Vietnam War. Even so, never new of this amazing history. It may be my favorite of all WW II stories, and amazingly told in this book. Read it, you’ll feel honored by what these men accomplished.

A Book For Patriots

In a day when historians have been infected with the woke virus, and are fully of apologies for American "atrocities" of the past generations, this book stands out. James Hornfischer has written a masterpiece here, one that truly captures the heart of the Navy in the Pacific battle of Samar, one part of the Battle of Leyte gulf. The U.S. was severely outmanned and overpowered. This is about unapologetic American heart and perseverance. And also unapologetic bravery of the U.S. Navy, who were surrounded on all sides by their Japanese counterparts. It's brutal, hard to listen to, but glorious. And it makes the listener sick that these men sacrificed all so we could be free. But we will always remember their sacrifice.

Barrett Whitener does a masterful job narrating. He's perfect for this.

A Hero's story

well done. moving and dramatic. from tears to laughter a true rendering of an amazing event

Wow

What a wonderful tribute to tremendous, actual bravery! I should be mandatory reading for all Americans.

A fantastic book

I loved this book. The story is compelling. The narrator was very good. I don’t think you need to be a history buff to enjoy this incredible story.

Heroes

Spellbinding, incredibly researched was sorry when it ended. It was certainly a tribute to the greatest generation.

All sailors should read this.

I loved this book. As an active duty sailor, and one that serves on tin cans, this is a must read.