Pacific Glory

World War II Navy, Book 1

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Marsh Vincent, Mick McCarty, and Tommy Lewis were inseparable friends during their naval academy years, each man in love with the beautiful, unattainable Glory Hawthorne. Only Tommy wins her heart and marries Glory after graduation. Different skills set the three men on separate paths in the Navy, but they are all forever changed by the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.

Glory, now Tommy’s widow, is a tough Navy nurse still grieving her loss while trying to save lives at the Pearl Harbor naval hospital. Marsh, a surface ship officer, finds himself in the thick of terrifying sea combat from Guadalcanal, through the turning point at Midway, to a climactic showdown with the Japanese fleet at Leyte Gulf. Mick, a hotshot fighter pilot with a drinking problem and a chip on his shoulder, seeks redemption after a series of failures leaves him grounded and ashamed.

Filled with wide-screen action, romance, and heroism tinged with the brutal reality of war, Pacific Glory is an old-fashioned military adventure of the first order.

©2011 P. T. Deutermann (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Praise for Pacific Glory:
“Epic, eloquent, stirring...a war novel that is both sweeping and intensely personal." ( Library Journal

“Pacific Glory is a tale brilliantly told for anyone who loves history or an adventure in the spirit of Patrick O’Brian. Deutermann’s eye for capturing the romance, valor, and sacrifice of life at sea is unforgettable. From the first pages, as Deutermann reels you in, you are hooked, drawn into the past and finally delivered back to the future, a journey taken with unforgettable characters.” (Doug Stanton, New York Times bestselling author of Horse Soldiers and In Harm’s Way)

“Authentic down to the last riveting detail, Pacific Glory will mesmerize anyone who wants to relive the U.S. Navy’s war with Japan – while a mysterious love story about three Annapolis men in love with the same exotic woman winds through the bomb blasts and salvos.” (Thomas Fleming, New York Times bestselling author of Time and Tide)

Best of PT Deutermann

I have listened to all of the previous PT Deutermann books and almost didn't buy this one because it seemed like it was out of his normal writing genre. WOW! Am I glad I bought it and I have recommended it to many others. Compelling on so many levels - and Dick Hill, as always, is excellent. He spoils us with his amazing narration. Buy this and listen soon.

Gripping

Recently I seem to be reading some excellent historical fiction. I just finished reading Herman Houk, Simon Scarrow and now Deutermann.

This story follows three naval academy classmates. Tommy was married to navy nurse Glory Hawthorne. Tommy dies on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Marsh “the beauty” is a surface ship officer fighting in the pacific and Mick “the beast” is a fighter pilot who has a drinking problem. The author provides a bit of a twist in what happens to Glory.

The book is well written and researched. Deutermann does an excellent job inserting his protagonist into the real history and action of the War. The author writes stunning World War II battle scenes. There is lots of action and suspense. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. If you are a fan of World War II stories this book is ideal for you.

Dick Hill does an excellent job narrating the book. Hill is a multi-award winning audiobook narrator.

A real hit

Simply an outstanding book. This is the first time I have read/listened to Deutermann and it will not be my last. Very good author in my book. Dick Hill is most likely my favorite narrator and as always he did a fantastic job.

Incredible

I was born in 1946 after WWII but it was a big part of my parents life and learned much about it over the years. I like the human part of this story. Bringing in the human element is not often done in books about this war. It was needed and incredible. In the last part of this story, I cried a lot. I needed to do that and the story was incredible, not to mention the author notes at the end of the book. It is totally special and a time in our history that we can be proud of. That doesn't seem to be the case with today's wars. I'm not certain why that it because our men and women in the Middle East deserve all of the best we have to give them. Read this book, consume it and get into the human's in this incredible story. Get it, consume it and cry about it. I cry for our soldiers today also.

A very real and emotional story of war

Would you listen to Pacific Glory again? Why?

I rarely listen to books a second time but this is one that might be worth hearing again. The story is so realistic and of course the performance by Dick Hill is very engaging.

What did you like best about this story?

The author did not glorify war despite the title. It was a look into the hearts and minds of people facing a powerful enemy, the prospect of certain pain and death and finding the courage to carry on.

Which character – as performed by Dick Hill – was your favorite?

Marsh, the protagonist.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had a hard time turning it off and found myself looking for reasons to take a drive so I could listen to more.

Any additional comments?

The author's notes at the end very much helped put this story in perspective. Mr. Deutermann had a distinguished naval career as did his father who actually lived through the battles highlighted in the book.

As a combat veteran myself, there were times that this story made very emotional and I actually shed some tears for those men who never made it back.

Intriguing storyline - great historical detail!

Would you listen to Pacific Glory again? Why?

I would listen again because it presented fascinating historical details about WW 2 as well as having a great storyline with enough twists to make it fascinating to the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pacific Glory?

One of the most memorable moments was when Beauty Vincent made the decision to turn Evans and torpedoe the Japanese ship.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Commander Vincent was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman. I can't remember the last time a book brought me to tears.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

The graphic details about the battles depicted in the book make me want to call every friend and family member who has been or is currently in the military and thank them for their service. We can never repay them.

Pacific Glory

One of the best books that Mr Deuterman has writen and Mr Hills Narration was wonderful Thanks.

Context for lovers of history

The story is true enough to facts to understand the historical events. What I liked about the book was how it filled our some of the characters- Nimitz, Hansey, some of the Japanese commanders. Narrator takes a little getting used to; I don't particularly care for added accents, but by the end of the book, I stopped noticing.

Terrible

Bad. Very very bad. Stay far away from this. Incredibly simple story full of contrivance. Also the love story is ridiculous.

Thrilling And Satisfying

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have recommended this book, though I just finished it this morning. The characters are larger than life, and the stories told are realistic depictions of action in WWII, with their real consequences for the combatants

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Though the final set piece battle is very familiar to me ( I listened to Last Stand of the Tin Can Soldiers which is one of the author's main sources a few years ago) it is still amazing to me what happened in that battle, and of course how our characters come out of it is of paramount importance.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Dick Hill can do no wrong. I wish he was still doing the Harry Bosch books, though I don't mind Len Cariou.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end of the book is incredibly strong and moving, tears were coming down my eyes as I drove in to work today. Though that actually was going on for the last 2 hours of the book. However, answering this question directly would give away the great ending.

Any additional comments?

I had never heard of the author before this, but I shall now attempt to catch up to a career that seems to have been building for quite a while.