The Eagle's Claw

A Novel of the Battle of Midway

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In a “riveting” (Booklist) tale that picks up where To Wake the Giant left off, Jeff Shaara transports us to the Battle of Midway in another masterpiece of military historical fiction.

Spring 1942. The United States is reeling from the blow the Japanese inflicted at Pearl Harbor. But the Americans are determined to turn the tide. The key comes from Commander Joe Rochefort, a little known “code breaker” who cracks the Japanese military encryption. With Rochefort’s astonishing discovery, Admiral Chester Nimitz will know precisely what the Japanese are planning.

But the battle to counter those plans must still be fought.

From the American side, the shocking conflict is seen through the eyes of Rochefort and Admiral Nimitz, as well as fighter pilot Lieutenant Percy “Perk” Baker and Marine Gunnery Sergeant Doug Ackroyd.

On the Japanese side, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is the mastermind. His key subordinates are Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, aging and infirm, and Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi, a firebrand who has no patience for Nagumo’s hesitation. Together, these two men must play out the chess game designed by Yamamoto, without any idea that the Americans are anticipating their every move on the sea and in the air.

Jeff Shaara recounts in electrifying detail what happens when these two sides finally meet, in what will be known ever after as one of the most definitive and heroic examples of combat ever seen. In The Eagle’s Claw, he recounts, with his trademark you-are-there immediacy and signature depth of research, one single battle that changed not only the outcome of a war but the course of our entire global history.

The story of Midway has been told many times, but never before like this.

©2021 Jeff Shaara (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An exciting blend of the big-picture strategy and intense human perspective.... Riveting historical fiction.... Shaara’s wildly popular novels about the Civil War and WWII extend the audience for military fiction far beyond its normal range.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Compelling.... Shaara deftly digs into the minds of the major players.... Shaara writes a well-researched and evenhanded portrayal of the event that changed the direction of the Pacific War.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Good but not great

Huge fan of this author and liked this book a lot. However I feel the second half might have been a bit too much of a deep dive into the thought of the protagonists rather than trying to cover the complexity of events. This one was a bit too reductionist for me but well worth it anyway

excellent depiction

well written, kept me interested throughout, amazing what our grandparents endured, very humbling story

Any OK Fictional Account of the Battle of Midway Is Going to be Worthwhile

Anyone who appreciates the story of this battle (and who doesn’t?) would almost by necessity have to enjoy any reasonably well done, factionalized account of it. I do, and I did.

The narration is good. The story is true to the facts.

The author fills in the blanks intelligently.

So, I liked it.

I must say, however, that there’s not much more to applaud. So,I’ve awarded it four stars.

Good book

Good book , not his best , a bit over dramatic at times,but worth the listen.

Best rendition yet

having read other accounts of Midway,, the War in the Pacific was my oral thesis for my degree in history, I think your approach is by far the best because it adds so much reality to the event. As your father, Michael, did for me with Killer Angels...as the book to read for one of my civil war classes...so have all your previous and current releases have so mae the history come to life. thank you so much!

A Good Book

I would have liked a bit more detail of the actual battle.
Interesting how both sides had to contend with the Admirals in their home countries, thinking they knew better than those in the field.
Also good to see what a good commander Nimitz was, as opposed to idiots like MacArthur, who finally was relieved of command.

Comments from a reader

A great book on the battle of Midway. It was not too long and had the right amount of action. I highly recommemd this book to anyone wanting to learn a little bit about World War II.

Evan's Review

Great book as always from Jeff. He took his characters and moles the book around in the Battle of Midway. Read all of Jeff's books like all the others you cannot stop listening.

very thorough

enjoyed learning of the characters after the war. Shaara keeps the parts of the story woven together.

good story

excellent story as always well written. i find the epilog extremely interesting and gull of informative items.
I do gind the Japanese tatics and thinking similar to the Confederate thinking in 1863