The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The exhilarating true story of the U.S. Navy’s improbable victory at the Battle of Samar—“a dire survival-at-sea saga” (Denver Post) from the acclaimed author of Neptune’s Inferno

“A critically acclaimed, blow-by-blow look at a small American force counterattacking into the teeth of hopeless odds.”—Miami Herald

“The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors will take its place amidst the great literature of World War II.”—Ron Powers, co-author of Flags of Our Fathers

Desperately fought on the morning of October 25, 1944, the Battle off Samar is one of the most celebrated engagements in United States naval lore. Facing overwhelming firepower, with no prospect of reinforcement, thirteen American warships began a fight they couldn’t win—and fought it to the death.

Weaving together extensive interviews with veterans, unpublished eyewitness accounts, declassified documents, and rare Japanese sources, James D. Hornfischer has created an unprecedented account of a naval engagement unlike any other in American history. A resonant portrait of the Navy man’s indomitable spirit and a stirring tale of heroism in the face of hopeless odds, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors unforgettably captures the men, the strategies, and the sacrifices that turned certain defeat into a legendary victory.

WINNER OF THE SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON AWARD FOR NAVAL LITERATURE©2004 James Hornfischer; (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Great book. Narrator meh

As all Hornfischer books, a detailed account of the story from many perspectives. 5 stars to the content of the book.

Not a fan of the narrator. Some mispronounced words (for example: aerobics vs aerobatics). Pretty sure pilots didn't train in "aerobics". The tone of voice when reading quotes was a little... creepy I suppose for lack of a better word.

Truly worth it

The beginning is a bit slow but this is an epic..cannot put it down story once you get into the action. The fact that it really happened makes it that much more compelling a story to hear.

Compelling

I have read many books on WWII, but this one paints a vivid picture of being a Marine in combat in the Pacific war. A visceral reality permeates the narrative. A must read.

A tale of an amazing battle.

The story of the US victory in the Pacific during WW II is dependent upon the US Navy. Without dominance of the seas the Marines and the Army would not have been able to do their island hopping. The Battle for Leyte Gulf was the culmination of that naval campaign

Great Read

As a former Tim-can Sailor, and with 32 years of service - 18 of which were spent either aboard ships or forward deployed - I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this account of WWII heroism.
This was my second reading; with as much satisfaction as the first.