Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942

By: Ian W. Toll

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Audie Award Nominee, History, 2013

The planning, the strategy, the sacrifices and heroics - on both sides - illuminating the greatest naval war in history. On the first Sunday in December 1941, an armada of Japanese warplanes appeared suddenly over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Six months later, in a sea fight north of the tiny atoll of Midway, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sent into the abyss.

Pacific Crucible tells the epic tale of these first searing months of the Pacific war, when the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history and seized the strategic initiative. Ian W. Toll's dramatic narrative encompasses both the high command and the "sailor's-eye" view from the lower deck. Relying predominantly on eyewitness accounts and primary sources, Pacific Crucible also spotlights recent scholarship that has revised our understanding of the conflict, including the Japanese decision to provoke a war that few in the country's highest circles thought they could win. The result is a pause-resistant history that does justice to the breadth and depth of a tremendous subject.

©2011 Ian W. Toll (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“An entertaining, impressively researched chronicle of the tense period between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and American victory at the battle of Midway....Toll gives everyone involved in the conflict a chance to speak, bringing readers into the command centers and cockpits to reveal the humanity of combatants on both sides of the Pacific.” ( Kirkus)

“Revealing and poignant, Toll’s latest deftly navigates the rough waters of the Pacific struggle with flying colors.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Narrator Grover Gardner gives an applaudable narration of this detailed history of the Pacific Theater in WWII…Gardner presents the many historical details in this work with an easygoing pace and precise enunciation that quickly draw in the listener and never let go. Rather than affecting an accent for quotations, he adjusts his inflection slightly, which works well. Novices and history buffs will find this performance a treat and want to hear the continuation of the story.” ( AudioFile)

One of the best books on the beginning of WWII

What did you love best about Pacific Crucible?

I downloaded it because it had Grover Gardener as the narrator & it was a WWII history book – two of my favorite things! Turns out it was so engrossing, it was very hard to put down and hit the pause button. It gave some great new insight into the period from Pearl Harbor to Midway, and I was pretty bummed out when it ended.

Which scene was your favorite?

The background given to each of the Admirals (King, Nimitz, and the others) really brings them to life. In addition, I found the narrative he weaves of the events leading up the Midway and the days of the battle very well done. As usual, Gardener does an extraordinary job of making you feel like he is sitting right there, bringing a story to life and illuminating the text for you. It's very hard to listen to an audiobook by any other narrator once you've just finished a Gardener book.

Any additional comments?

WWII histories are among my favorites, but this one really brought everything to life in a way that not many actually do.

Outstanding detailed account of the first critical

Overall view of the conflict is well balanced yet detailed enough to get into the meat of the subject.

History can be Awesome!

I work in the Ship Repair industry and love to read and hear about Naval history. Ian Toll writes in a way that is both educational and vastly engaging. The narrator does a great job of bringing Toll's writing to life making it very addictive and entertaining. If you enjoy Naval history, war buff, or just history in general. Do yourself a favor and give this one a try.

Great book, interesting details, excellent narrator.

This was an excellent book. Showed the thoughts and strategies of both sides during the first year of the war in Pacific.

Outstanding

Wonderful history of the war in the Pacific. As usual, Grover Gardner’s narration is superb.

Fantastic!

The best book I've seen to date on this subject. Can't wait for the follow-up book.

Excellent

A bit revealing regarding the political upheaval taking place in Japan prior to Pearl Harbor. I was not aware of that, but the hard practice of the Japanese forces (and the Third Reich in Germany) I knew of. Looking forward to the next two books concerning the topic!

Unparalleled Narrative and Insight of Pacific War

For any history buff, this book serves as a great introduction point to the events and personalities on both sides of the early war in the Pacific. Toll paints a vivid picture, weaving first hand accounts, uncovers important source material documenting events, and providing analysis of strategic and tactical elements resulting in a compelling and level headed account of historical events. This book is equal parts cerebral and engaging. Well worth the commitment, I sped through this one because I just couldn’t stop listening. I’ll be on to the next installment of Toll’s pacific war trilogy immediately.

Phenomenal

We all know about DDay, the Battle of the Bulge and Pearl Harbor. But the details of Midway are not as well known but absolutely fascinating. A riveting story of luck, courage and the skills of the codebreakers. Superb narration.

this is a great series

this is a great series for anybody interested in the Pacific war during ww2.