Wade McClusky and the Battle of Midway

By: David Rigby

Narrated by: David Stifel

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of the man who won the battle of Midway and avenged Pearl Harbor for the United States.  

During the Battle of Midway in June 1942, US Navy dive bomber pilot Wade McClusky proved himself to be one of the greatest pilots and combat leaders in American history, but his story has never been told - until now.  

It was Wade McClusky who remained calm when the Japanese fleet was not where it was expected to be. It was he who made the counterintuitive choice to then search to the north instead of to the south. It was also McClusky who took the calculated risk of continuing to search even though his bombers were low on fuel and may not have enough to make it back to the Enterprise. His ability to remain calm under enormous pressure played a huge role in the US Navy winning this decisive victory that turned the tide of war in the Pacific.  

This book is the story of exactly the right man being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Wade McClusky was that man and this is his story.

©2019 David Rigby (P)2019 Tantor

Tedious

Overall narration was dull and narrative was tedious and at times rather dull. I would not suggest this book to anyone interested in the battle of Midway. It provides very important facts but it is several hours to long.

Bad producers

Many repeated phrases and sentences that are a sign of inexpensive inept producers. Also not knowing how to accurately pronounce submariner for a Naval history book is pretty much the tell tale sign of nothing good to come. Such an important story about a great US Navy Officer deserves better. Great book but this version is poorly produced.

Interesting

Wade McClusky & the Battle of Midway

David Rigby

I found the book interesting. There are many people in history who become famous for a small window of public events, who we only know for those few seconds or hours and know nothing else about. Wade McClusky is one of the many I wanted to know more about.

His decisions during the Battle of Midway very likely saved lives and won the battle. We cannot say that definitively, but it is logical to believe so. I did not know he had so many detractors who claim he did these things wrong.

These arguments are likely made by people who have forgotten one the guiding principles of any fight. The best laid plans seldom survive the first shot.

I do believe the author used too much filler language. Some explanations to make a point are necessary; but some are not really pertinent to the subject at hand.

Overall, the book was informative and interesting. I would recommend it to anyone focused on the battle and its participants.

Another unsung hero of WW II

Wade Mccluskey is another example of the greatest generation. He was a little older than most in WW II but that gave him the maturity and experience needed for that decisive day!

Great biography

Personal portrait of a great American. Wish more Americans knew his story, it’s one to remember.

Not easy to listen to!!

I liked the facts that were given, it was just the way they were delivered. kinda like listening to someone with ADHD telling a story. It would get into a battle or a event then trail off into a bunch of different facts which was very informative I guess but made for tough listening. I did not make it through the whole book.

Outstanding biography

Couldn't stop listening. The chapters on the Midway search and attack alone are worth the read.

Good Book About a Largely Forgotten WWII Hero

This was a good biography of Wade McCluskey, who made a critical intuitive decision that found the Japanese fleet while leading dive bombers at the Battle of Midway. The author makes a good case that McCluskey was an enormously experienced aviator whose contribution during the battle has been largely ignored or disrespected, especially by current historians. McCluskey was clearly instrumental in winning a battle that turned the tide in the Pacific theater.

That said, this is not a perfect book. As others have pointed out, it is extremely repetitive. The author repeats the basic facts about McCluskey again and again. Simply stated, and as is the case with so many books, it could have used a good editing.

The narrator is good, but he did remind me of an announcer on a World War II newsreel. It is as if the narrator is consciously using his "announcer voice." It was OK to me, but others may find it annoying.

Controversy

Too much effort trying to prove what did or did not happen. Yes, some of that is warranted. This book however was very repetitive in discussing many of the controversial aspects of Midway and McCluskey. It definitely detracted from the events and the persons involved. Not what I was expecting.

Somewhat disapointing.

There is much unnecessary criticism of other authors. More anecdotes about McClusky and fewer dry entries from logbooks would help. Still, it contains some fresh information.