Hell from the Heavens

The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II's Greatest Kamikaze Attack

By: John Wukovits

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

On the morning of April 16, 1945, the crewmen of the USS Laffey saw what seemed to be the entire Japanese air force assembled directly above. They were about to become the targets of the largest single-ship kamikaze attack of World War II.

By the time the unprecedented assault was finished, 32 sailors were dead and more than 70 wounded. Although she lay shrouded in smoke and fire for hours, the Laffey somehow survived. The gutted American warship limped from Okinawa's shore for home, where the ship and crew would be celebrated as heroes.

Using personal interviews with survivors, the memoirs of crew members, and their wartime correspondence, John Wukovits breathes life into the story of this forgotten historic event.

©2015 John Wukovits (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"For WWII buffs, surely, but also for general readers looking to understand the damage inflicted and the terror inspired by the Japanese suicide squadrons." ( Kirkus)

Great listeingl

Recommend reading the book or even better listening to it on Audible. Thanks again Audible!

Excellent ww2 navy v Japanese battle

Narration: excellent if one can overlook slightly raspy smoker’s throat, which is appropriate when describing historic naval battles.

Story: remarkable story of crew defending themselves against Japanese suicide attacks.

Inspirational and Engaging

I felt by the end of this amazing recounting of this ship and brave men, I found a newfound appreciation and respect for our veterans. More people should read this book.

Great Book

This is a very interesting an informative book. It is well written and well read and is definitely worth a listen for anyone interested in World War II or naval history.

Awesome book!

Everyone needs to hear this story of heroism under fire...this is why we honor our beautiful flag!

Good read

Love the story and history. Not a huge fan of the narrator. Overall would recommend

Compelling story worth the effort

I had never heard of the USS Laffey until I read this book. I began listening to it before visiting the ship at patriots point museum in South Carolina, and was glad that I did. It made the ship much more of a museum and memorial to those who served aboard her. This was a very compelling story, and one I'll be sure to tell others about.

A story of Americans that loved America

We are losing the stories of the greatest generation of Americans to revisionist historians. Books like this of great Americans and their selfless actions are important for future generations. I recommend this book as a reminder of people who did what was needed when it was needed without regret or second thought. Thank-you to all that serve. May your story be preserved like the crew of the Laffy.

Incredibly courageous account of heroism!

Becton and his crew of the USS Laffey demonstrated incredible courage in both Europe and the Pacific in WWII. Most incredibly was there heroism portrayed during the battle for Okinawa while on Pickett duty offshore from Okinawa. This book details both missions in Europe during the bombardment of Utah Beach and then the bombardment of Cherbourg. Then the story goes to Leyte Gulf where she provided fire support for invading troops and then she provides fire support for marines on Iwo Jima in February of 1945. from there she refit and heads to Okinawa where she is put on radar Pickett duty and guards the carrier task force from kamikaze attackers. Her story on this duty is worth the price of listening! You'll never read a more in depth story of immaculate heroism and selflessness as you will with this book! Please do yourself a favor and listen to this book for it is the story of human and American character to the fullest!!

A Hagiography of a Hero Ship

If you are interested in the Laffey’s heroic stand against the kamikaze onslaught in 1945 then the last chapters of this book will do. The descriptions of the kamikaze pilots is just a repeat of the typical stereotypes of nonsense bushido and Japanese myths. The reality is the suicide pilots were mostly young men and boys mostly 17-20 years old who could barely fly the airplanes. They were sent to death by fanatic old men. It’s the dark side of Japanese culture. The pilots weren’t heroic - they were victims. Overall the book doesn’t really contribute anything to the historic record other than a narrative of the most extraordinary kamikaze attack of the war. And that attack demonstrated just how ineffective the Kamikazes really were.