The Fleet at Flood Tide

America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944-1945

By: James D. Hornfischer

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

Length: 23 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER •

The extraordinary story of the World War II air, land, and sea campaign that brought the U.S. Navy to the apex of its strength and marked the rise of the United States as a global superpower

Winner, Commodore John Barry Book Award, Navy League of the United States • Winner, John Lehman Distinguished Naval Historian Award, Naval Order of the United States

With its thunderous assault on the Mariana Islands in June 1944, the United States crossed the threshold of total war. In this tour de force of dramatic storytelling, distilled from extensive research in newly discovered primary sources, James D. Hornfischer brings to life the campaign that was the fulcrum of the drive to compel Tokyo to surrender—and that forever changed the art of modern war.

With a close focus on high commanders, front-line combatants, and ordinary people, American and Japanese alike, Hornfischer tells the story of the climactic end of the Pacific War as has never been done before. Here are the epic seaborne invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, the stunning aerial battles of the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, the first large-scale use of Navy underwater demolition teams, the largest banzai attack of the war, and the daring combat operations large and small that made possible the strategic bombing offensive culminating in the atomic strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From the seas of the Central Pacific to the shores of Japan itself, The Fleet at Flood Tide is a stirring, authoritative, and cinematic portrayal of World War II’s world-changing finale.

Illustrated with original maps and more than 120 dramatic photographs

“Quite simply, popular and scholarly military history at its best.”—Victor Davis Hanson, author of Carnage and Culture

“The dean of World War II naval history . . . In his capable hands, the story races along like an intense thriller. . . . Narrative nonfiction at its finest—a book simply not to be missed.”—James M. Scott, Charleston Post and Courier

“An impressively lucid account . . . admirable, fascinating.”—The Wall Street Journal

“An extraordinary memorial to the courageous—and a cautionary note to a world that remains unstable and turbulent today.”—Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO, author of Sea Power

“A masterful, fresh account . . . ably expands on the prior offerings of such classic naval historians as Samuel Eliot Morison.”—The Dallas Morning News

©2016 James D. Hornfischer (P)2016 Random House Audio

Perfection.

Absolutely wonderful. The narrator is perfect for the story and exposits the emotion and direction of the writing extremely well

Good, not great

Not as good as his previous books but solid. I didn't feel much emotion while listening to this one as i did Neptune's Inferno or Last Stand Of The Tin Can Sailors

The Rest of the Story

I am the son of a WWII Ace and twice escaped POW TURNED SAC wing commander, as well as a Vietnam veteran. As such, my interest in the war has never faded. I’ve lost count of the histories and “I was there” books. This fills in the blanks in a very engaging and personal way.
A must read.

Excellent detail

I had no idea just how excellent of a commander Admiral Spruance was. Through this book I gained a new appreciation for his genius and grasp of Leadership in command.

Excellent, as usual...

Hornfischer's telling of the Pacific theater is thorough and far-reaching. I have enjoyed all of his Pacific series. The narrator was very talented. Kept up a lively pace in his story-telling. Highly recommended.

Great detail

Anxious to read more from this author. My father served in some of these battles.

A good listen

After having served in the S. Pacific for nearly 3 years the readers pronunciation of several of the islands was frustrating to say the least.

Great!!

For WWII historians this is a must read. Covered grunt to admiral on both sides.

Best coverage yet of this period in world history

The level of detail is good. The Pacific struggle from both sides is well told.

Final Pacific Campaign

Because my dad was an Army officer on Saipan, and I am retired Army, I have had a burning interest in more details of what actually took place in the final Pacific Campaign of WW II. The Fleet at Flood Tide met all my needs and more. It is told from a military point of view in a way that is easy to follow for anybody who wants to know more about those incredible times and people. The narration is outstanding. The story is compelling. The details bring the events and the people alive. Bravo!!!