The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History)

De: Craig L. Symonds

Narrado por: James Lurie

There are few moments in American history in which the course of events tipped so suddenly and so dramatically as at the Battle of Midway. At dawn of June 4, 1942, a rampaging Japanese navy ruled the Pacific. By sunset, their vaunted carrier force (the Kido Butai) had been sunk, and their grip on the Pacific had been loosened forever.

In this absolutely riveting account of a key moment in the history of World War II, one of America's leading naval historians, Craig L. Symonds, paints an unforgettable portrait of ingenuity, courage, and sacrifice. Symonds begins with the arrival of Admiral Chester A. Nimitz at Pearl Harbor after the devastating Japanese attack and describes the key events leading to the climactic battle, including both Coral Sea - the first battle in history against opposing carrier forces - and Jimmy Doolittle's daring raid of Tokyo. He focuses throughout on the people involved, offering telling portraits of Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, Spruance, and numerous other Americans, as well as the leading Japanese figures, including the poker-loving Admiral Yamamoto. Indeed, Symonds sheds much light on the aspects of Japanese culture - such as their single-minded devotion to combat, which led to poorly armored planes and inadequate fire-safety measures on their ships - that contributed to their defeat.

The author's account of the battle itself is masterful, weaving together the many disparate threads of attack - attacks which failed in the early going - that ultimately created a five-minute window in which three of the four Japanese carriers were mortally wounded, changing the course of the Pacific war in an eye-blink.

Symonds is the first historian to argue that the victory at Midway was not simply a matter of luck, pointing out that Nimitz had equal forces, superior intelligence, and the element of surprise. Nimitz had a strong hand, Symonds concludes, and he rightly expected to win.

©2011 Craig L. Symonds (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A solid book to listen to...

The author writes the history in a very clear narrative style. The amount of background is sufficient, and introduced in the proper way. In the end he explains not only the Battle of Midway, but the thinking, strategies, limitations, and advantages that eventually led to the US victory at Midway and in the Pacific War.

Mr Lurie has a smooth speaking style. He is the kind of narrator that makes you forget that he didn't actually write the book - he is only reading it.

Good read (listen) for history buffs

What made the experience of listening to The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) the most enjoyable?

This is a tale told over and over again. This version was told in a very fresh manner and I enjoyed the narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nimitz: did he have balls!

Which scene was your favorite?

The absolute divine intervention of getting the right mix upstairs and on the deck.

Any additional comments?

I did not realise how badly the Hornet flyers actually did... I was not aware of the Flight to Nowhere

Excellent account

Even better than Gordon Prange's book. Very good narration. Highly detailed but never boring. Lost sleep in trying to finish the book.

Good performance

The narrator gave a good show, but there are better tellings of the battle of Midway from a tactical, personal, and story perspective.

OUTSTANDING

This book is a great insight into the events that lead to the battle of Midway as well as the battle itself.