Thirty Seconds over Tokyo

Aviation Classics

By: Ted W. Lawson

Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt

In Ted W. Lawson’s classic Thirty Seconds over Tokyo, Lawson gives a vivid eyewitness account of the unorthodox assignment that 85 intrepid volunteer airmen - the “Tokyo Raiders” - under the command of celebrated flier James H. Doolittle executed in April 1942.

The plan called for 16 B-25 twin-engine medium bombers of the Army Air Corps to take off from the aircraft carrier Hornet, bomb industrial targets in Japan, and land at airfields in China. While the raid came off flawlessly, completely surprising the enemy, a shortage of fuel caused by an early departure, bad weather, and darkness took a heavy toll of the raiders.

For many, the escape from China proved a greater ordeal. Peter B. Mersky provides new information on the genesis of the raid, places it in the context of the early operations against Japan, and updates Ted Lawson’s biography.

The book is published by University of Nebraska Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2002 Ellen R. Lawson (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks

A great read

I first read this book when I was in grade school around 1966. I loved it Dan and I loved it now after 60 some years later so much dad I bought the movie and watched it this afternoon. A fantastic story hats off to all our veterans it flew in World War II, especially on the Doolittle raid.

Great history

It was incredible what these men went through. What a great story of these brave men!

Amazing!

An amazing story which happens to be true. highly recommend. Makes you grateful for all our service men and women.

awesome story of a major WWII event

great story and narration of a historical WWII event more folks should hear this. a great listen

Short, intense, insightful

My dad recommended this to me, the day after Pearl Harbor 2022. A Human’s will/ability to survive, no matter the side, is always humbling and inspiring. Great read, a snippet of war.