Halsey's Typhoon

By: Bob Drury, Tom Clavin

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

December 1944, the Pacific Theater. General Douglas MacArthur has vowed to return to the Philippines. He will need the help of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's Pacific Fleet. But at the height of the invasion, Halsey's ships are blindsided by a typhoon of unprecedented strength and scope. Battleships are tossed like toys, fighter planes are blown off carriers, destroyers are capsized, and hundreds of sailors are swept into the roiling, shark-infested sea.

Only now, thanks to documents that have been declassified after 60 years and scores of firsthand accounts from survivors, can the story finally be told. Informed by years of rigorous research and narrated with the immediacy of an action movie, Halsey's Typhoon is an enthralling true tale of courage and survival against impossible odds and one of the finest untold World War II sagas of our time.

©2007 Bob Drury and Tom Clavin (P)2007 HighBridge Company; 16 9

Critic Reviews

"A vivid tale of tragedy and gallantry at sea." (Publishers Weekly)

Weather and Naval History Masterpiece

This is an incredible story of courage and seamanship. It is even more amazing knowing the sailors were trying to avoid two foes (the Japanese and a major typhoon) at the same time with little available information. The authors expertly blend in the science of meteorology with the real life challenges of trying to keep these ships afloat and the struggle to survive in the open ocean. I highly recommend this book.

Overcome by Circumstances

Excellent book for those who aren't aware of this little footnote of WWII. Because most people aren't familiar with the US Navy's Third and Fifth Fleets, much space is dedicated to background on how "Bull" Halsey and the Third Fleet came to be in the Philippine Sea on 17 December 1944.
The book is extremely well researched and tells the story in as impartial manner as possible. I listened to the book straight through in spite of the fact that I was very cognizant of the facts. The book reads like a historical novel. The authors weave essentially 5 story lines together to tell the 2 day saga. The result is a tale of hubris, tractability, heroism, insubordination, fatalism, life and death.
My only negatives are minor. The narrator mispronounced some nautical equipments, but was consistent in his mispronouncements. The authors also had minor problems with terminology. For example, the only "ceilings" onboard US Navy ships are those made of panels that are suspended by wires, hanging from the "overhead". I only mention these small errors because they stood out in an otherwise outstandingly researched book where the authors went to great pains to use authentic Naval terminology.

A Gripping Maritime Narrative

This is one of those books I always wanted to read and finally made the effort. This was not only an outstanding history of Halsey's fleet battling through this storm, it was an excellent audio recording, very engaging and clear. I really enjoyed this.

wow outstanding book

I could not stop listening to this book. The narrator was perfect for the content. and information the authors provide is unbelievable.

Tore through this one in two days

Well written and well performed, this WWII take off a Typoon hitting Admiral Halsleys fleet will take you there.

Good Navy story

It's typical of the work of the US Navy in WWII. Great heroism and resourcefulness by the crews, leadership that was at times arrogant, at others incompetent and at others prescient and selflessly dedicated to serving their crews and others, risking their careers and lives on what others thought missions of a fool.

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Drury and Clavin's other work "The Last Stand of Fox Company", but it was still unbelievably gripping at times. Definitely a good listen.

Halsey's Typhoon

This is a great piece of history. The book is well documented and provides readers an unbiased view of the facts as they were. The authors do not try to apply today's sensibilities to the events detailed, but rather points to the issues of the day. The narration is entertaining and easy to listen to. If you are a Naval history enthusiast, this is a must read.

A Nice Detour In Military Reading

This is a riveting story of man against nature, and reads with heart-pounding action. The story of individual ships saved and lost during this little known side note of World War II is well told within the context of a string of mistakes, bad judgement and bad luck that put them at peril.
The narration is well suited for the work.

Must read

Detailed and researched so well. The stories grip you and don’t let go amazing and brave men. Just astounding

What a story..!!!!

Absolutely the best narratiive of the storm I've heard or read. Narration was perfect.
I've been to sea in the military and have seen a share of hefty storms. But I can only imagine what these men went through.
Don't pass this one up.