PT-109

JFK's Night of Destiny

By: William Doyle

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

A thrilling, moment-by-moment account of one of the most famous events of World War II - the sinking of PT-109 and John F. Kennedy's heroic actions that saved his crew - and a fascinating examination of how that extraordinary episode shaped the future president's life.

At 2:00 a.m. on the moonless night of August 2, 1943, US Patrol Torpedo boat PT-109, captained by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri near the Solomon Islands. The American ship was cleaved in two and rocked by an explosion; two crew members died instantly; the remaining 11 survivors clung to the sinking wreckage, adrift in enemy waters. Despite injuring his back, Lt. Kennedy - towing a severely burned sailor by the strap of a life jacket - led his battered and exhausted men on a harrowing three-and-a-half mile swim to a tiny, uninhabited island. Desperate for food and water, Kennedy set off on a solo reconnaissance mission, scouting two larger islands two and a half miles away. Discovering water and coconuts, he returned for his men. For six days they lived off coconuts and kept out of sight of passing Japanese patrols until they were rescued.

Drawing on new information from the American rescuers and recently released archives in both Japan and the US, PT-109 recounts this event in breathtaking detail and explores the incident's remarkable aftermath on JFK's life and legend. William Doyle reveals that while the incident transformed JFK into a war hero and helped propel him to the US Senate and the White House, the wounds he suffered during that harrowing week continued to haunt him, physically and psychologically.

©2015 William Doyle (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

highly recommend

loved it, from the moment I started the book I couldn't put it down!

I had known the basics but this is even a bette story than I thought

An excellent history and performance — well researched. I recommend this book for its portrayal of the conditions in ww2 South Pacific, of the Kennedy family in general and JFK in particular and the interwoven story and impact on us history ... a good companion read is PT-105.

Great.

Loved it. Great book about Kennedy. and the PT 109 Must read for those who like war History.

Brings the story full circle

Takes the story of the PT 109 and shows from beginning to end the impact it had on her commanding officer. A must own for any JFW or WW2 history reader.

JFK’s GREAT ADVENTURE

If you haven’t gotten PT-109 do so soon. It’s a great chapter in his very intriguing life. Thanks, Mr Wm Doyle. Bye for now Glen ;-) : -)

Superb Told Story

Superbly told story of John F. Kennedy in WWII and the loss of his PT boat in the Blackett Strait in 1943 in the story that became the foundation of his future political career. This is one of those books that you can’t wait to get back to at the end of each day.

Awesome Story

Great story and experiences of the time period. John F. Kennedy was kind of one of the original Navy Seals.

So enlightening, great overviews

The detail of PT boats, the difficulties endured by lack of training, the long term relationships between foes were beneficial in understanding the war in the Solomon Islands.

Historic diplomatic details included.

I appreciate the historical slant this book took in the later chapters mainly concerning Robert Francis Kennedy's anf John F. Kennedy's dealings with post war Japan. The personal relationships and later meetings were both telling and very touching. Life is short, appreciate your circle.

Iinspired history

I enjoyed the book very much. The original story of the PT 109 & JFK inspired me to join the Navy in 1965.