The Last Paladin

A Novel (World War II Navy Series, Book 9)

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Summoned to relieve destroyers that are bogged down by escort duty in the escalating Pacific Theater, the Hayward is met with a rather cold reception. In the eyes of Pacific Fleet sailors, North Atlantic convoy duty pales in comparison to the bloody, carrier-sinking battles of Savo Island and Guadalcanal. However, Atlantic Fleet ships have had to specialize in one thing: anti-submarine warfare.

The Hayward is sent off into remote South Pacific operating areas with orders to find and destroy Japanese submarines—but with little expectation of success. Her commanders take the mission literally; using radio intercepts that are being ignored at higher levels, they determine that the Japanese have set up a 1000-mile-long picket line of seven submarines, an entire squadron's worth, to act as a moveable barrier against the expected American advance into the next set of islands. These submarines are poised to sink every American aircraft carrier and destroyer and to change the course of the war.

What happens next is one of the legendary stories of the US Navy. The Last Paladin is high stakes naval warfare at its best, told with utter authenticity and a former ship captain's understanding of dramatic, intense combat. P. T. Deutermann continues his acclaimed series of WWII thrillers in this unforgettable novel.

©2022 P. T. Deutermann (P)2022 Tantor

Classic Deuterman!

WWII Pacific theater properly documented.
Deuterman tells it like he was there. You will feel like you were there too.

Love this book

This book was a terrific story and listening to it was addictive.
I recommend it highly.

Another Winner by P.T. Deutermann

Another excellent story by this author, P.T. Deutermann. This story is told in the first person by two protagonists, a DE’s Captain and its XO. The story is masculine; no heroine involved. The author gets the Navy bureaucratic shenanigans correct (as he should being a retired Commander). Dialogue is good, very realistic.

The reader should have done more research into how navy terms are actually pronounced. He makes amateurish mistakes. For example, it’s not “SUB-mariner” as in a below-par mariner, but rather it’s “sub-MAR-iner” with mariner pronounced like “Marine.” Also, it is not “boo-ships” or “boo-pers,” but “beu-ships” or “beu-pers.” Navy listeners wince at the reader’s mispronunciation of these words.

In spite of the reader's amateurishness, its a very good story that ends Deutermann's novels about WW II in the Pacific.

Highly recommended

I have read most of PT Deutermann’s books. This is one of the best if not the best that I’ve read. This is especially true because I was thinking no not likely to be real world then I looked up USS England. No spoiler, just don’t look up until you’re at least halfway through. Most of what happens is based on what really happened. And all of the dialogue sounds like you were there listening in narration was good. I only made it a four because it was hard to tell whether it was the captain or the exec, since both voices were very similar, not a big deal though. Read it you’ll like it.

Classic WWII Navy

Be of Dueterman's best.
I read it in one sitting.
Highly recommended, for any naval buff.

Gripping

I enjoy reading P. T. Deutermann’s books about World War II. One of the key things I like is they are well researched. Deutermann was a naval officer and his first-hand knowledge of the navy shows. The characters are interesting and pace is fast. This book is about a ship that specialized in hunting submarines. The ship had just arrived in the Pacific from hunting U-boats in the North Atlantic.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Berkrot does a great job narrating the book. The book is nine hours and fifty-nine minutes.

How a good book can be addictive

Great in every aspect . Loved the story loved the Narrator. Looking for another Tin Can story !

Wonderful and vivid

As always, I enjoy Captain Deuterman’s books. This is truly one of his best. A captivating tale with his knowledgeable insights on shipboard life apparent. What’s next?

Excellent WWII Naval story

This may be the best of the author’s navy novels I’ve read (most if not all). It’s nonstop satisfyingly exciting descriptions of encounters against Japanese subs. Excellent narration as always by Berkrot.

Intersting Take On The Pacific War

Did a good job pointing out the reality of the time. There is still to this day a competition between East Coast Sailors and Western Pacific Sailors. Great job illustrating this.