The Commodore

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

A navy destroyer commander navigates hostile seas and ferocious battles in this dramatic World War II thriller set in the South Pacific.

In The Commodore, the navy in 1942-1943 is fighting a losing battle against Japan for control of the Solomon Islands. Vice Admiral William "Bull" Halsey is tasked with changing the course of the war. Halsey, a maverick, goes on the offensive and appoints a host of new destroyer commanders, including a wild card named Harmon Wolf. An American Indian from a Minnesota reservation, Wolf has never fit in with the traditional navy officer corps. But under Halsey, Wolf's aggressive tactics and gambling nature bring immediate results, and he is swiftly promoted to commodore of an entire destroyer squadron. What happens next will change Wolf's life and career and the fate of his ships forever.

An epic story of courage, disaster, survival, and triumph that culminates in the pivotal battle of Vella Gulf, The Commodore is a masterful novel of an unlikely military hero.

©2016 P. T. Deutermann (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Exciting

A Native American, Harman Wolf, is a Navy Destroyer Commander, fighting in the Pacific Theatre. His aggressive tactics brought him to the attention of Adm. William F. Halsey who promotes Wolf. He becomes the de facto commodore of a division of destroyers fighting the naval battle around Guadalcanal. The author describes Wolf’s command of his ship and his division as he develops tactics to combat the Japanese.

The story is a historical fiction but I wonder if the author took some of the experiences and tactics of some real-life U.S. Navy destroyer captains such as Arleigh Burke, Ernest Evans and Frederick Moosbrugger. I have read their biographies and find similarities to battles and tactics in Deutermann’s story. The book is well written and meticulously researched. The story might be fiction but it is historically accurate. Deutermann has great descriptions of naval battles that are very realistic and easy to read.

P.T. Deutermann retired from the navy after 26 years as a Captain. He is also the son of Admiral H. T. Deutermann. As in a typical military family both his son and daughter are Naval Officers. After retirement, he began his writing career.

Dick Hill does an excellent job narrating the book. Hill is a multi-award winning audiobook narrator and also won the Golden Voice award.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great very very good

There was nothing about this Audiobook
That I did not enjoy . The story was enjoyable
The narration was great .Iv read a lot about
The slot and all off the horror and death that
Took place there .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Commodore

Great read. I served on 3 Gearing Class Destroyers USS Henderson, USS MacKean, and USS Higbee) in the 70's. The author made me feel as though I was back at sea. He envelopes the reader and places in the action. I felt as though I was back on board my last ship USS Higbee (firing her guns to CIC to being back in engineering working on her 600 psi plant to conning the ship at night with others).

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another great WW II naval thriller

PT Deuterman's experience as a naval officer gives him insight to the problems, and challenges of command during the intense combat operations of World War II.

Dick Hill does his usual faultless reading that only adds to the story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hot destroyer action off Guadalcanal

Great war story focusing on the role of destroyers off of Guadalcanal. Thanks to American unpreparedness, heavy naval units were pretty much unavailable during this fight. And, American torpedoes often ineffective while the Japanese torpedoes were death. The author points out that at that time one of the biggest problems American senior Naval officers had was their unwillingness to adapt to new situations. Anyway its a rip roaring good war story and lets one see the battle from the perspective of the tin can navy. Highly recommended for those that enjoy exciting battles and pretty well developed characters. You wont be dissapointed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One more Great story.

PT Deutermann is one of my favorite audio book writers. I have enjoyed all of his audio books and look forward to any new books coming out from him. I routinely re-listen to his books as I find them very enjoyable and entertaining.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

moving and fast paced

Wonderfully read it held my interest with only a few short naps during the performance. If you like navel stories without all of the usual spelling out of military acronyms you will probably enjoy this book.

WW2 Surface Naval Action

The naval battle for Guadalcanal told fictionally with a personal touch. Very well done.
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Naval stories told by Deutermann always deliver.

I couldn't put this book down!

favorite reader Dick Hill and great, fast moving story. best I've read in a long time.

Naval Combat in Detail

This is the second book I have read by this author. This one differs from “Pacific Glory” as it mostly has combat scenes and not much romance and other back stories in it. I still give it five stars as it really illuminates the job of Commodore in the WW2 navy. The narrator did an outstanding job in reading the book.