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Left to Die: The Tragedy of the USS Juneau
From the award-winning author of Fatal Voyage comes the first full account of one of World War II's most secret scandals. In November 1942 a Japanese torpedo destroyed the U.S.S. Juneau, killing 700 men. From extensive interviews, Kurzman reveals the agonizing truth behind one of America's greatest military tragedies.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 15, 2010
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About the author
Dan Kurzman
19 books12 followersDan Halperin Kurzman was an American journalist and writer of military history books. He studied at the University of California in Berkeley, served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, and completed his studies at Berkeley with a Bachelor degree in political science. In the early 1950s, he worked in Europe and in Israel for American newspapers and news agencies and was then correspondent of the NBC News in Jerusalem.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 17, 2018
This is a great book about the tragic sinking of the USS Juneau in November 1942 and the survivors' fight to stay alive. The book starts by following the 5 Sullivan brothers and their lives leading up to being posted to the Juneau and introduces some of their shipmates throughout. It then covers the brief career of the ship leading up to it's final battle and sinking. After being sunk the men are left in the water by their task force and there are many delays in getting the rescue started. The parts covering the men's survival in the ocean is riveting and you feel helpless with them throughout as you know only 10 survived. This is a book that is hard to put down and really takes you to the scenes of the action. This book will be on my mind for a long time to come and I highly recommend it.
November 29, 2009
I first read this book when it came out in hardback a few years back and parts of it still stick in my mind. The author offers an interesting and truely sad account of the fate of the survivors from the USS Juneau. I have never forgotten the account of the five Sullivan brothers and the other men left to die in the sea around Guadalcanal. This is a terrible story which really reminds you that war is a horrible business. The author tells a great story and you will find it hard to put the book down once you start.
February 24, 2021
It's a shame no one else seems to have written on this subject, since Kurzman doesn't seem a very good source. I just can't trust the veracity of a book written by someone who labeled the submarine that torpedoed the Juneau the 1-26 instead of the I-26. That might seem small, but as all Japanese subs were designated that way (I-number) you'd think he'd get that part right.
Kurzman also constantly states the thoughts and feelings of the men he's writing about, even when he had no way of knowing. All but 10 of the men aboard the Juneau died; there are things we can never, ever know about what they thought or felt.
Finally, the writing leaves a distinctive taste of racism in the mouth, with the way he talks about the Japanese and doesn't even bother to censor the slur "J**s". Calling an entire nation of people "rationally handicapped" and making out like the one Christian among them was the only one capable of showing compassion to his fellow man indicates an extremely shallow understanding of the events of the time.
Kurzman also constantly states the thoughts and feelings of the men he's writing about, even when he had no way of knowing. All but 10 of the men aboard the Juneau died; there are things we can never, ever know about what they thought or felt.
Finally, the writing leaves a distinctive taste of racism in the mouth, with the way he talks about the Japanese and doesn't even bother to censor the slur "J**s". Calling an entire nation of people "rationally handicapped" and making out like the one Christian among them was the only one capable of showing compassion to his fellow man indicates an extremely shallow understanding of the events of the time.
April 25, 2015
Wow...??? It has took me many years to pick this book up and read. I've just turned 30, and just now learning about the Juneau. My Great Grandfather, Gattis, Marvin Lee (GM3c) went down with USS JUNEAU.
August 19, 2014
I blame Casey for this book. She wanted to read a book on the sinking of the Indianapolis and I saw this book on a very similar story, so I grabbed it for myself. The Juneau was sunk at the end of 1942 and due to gross incompetence, the survivors were left in the water for a week. Out of a crew of 700, 140 made it in the water, but only 10 survived. In comparison, over 300 survived the sinking of the Indianapolis. The author does a good job of describing the sheer terror of the survivors as day by day their numbers dwindle and they come under constant shark attack. But he struggles on several key areas. First, it is clear he is not a naval historian. Multiple times, he references a Japanese admiral killed in an earlier battle, but gets the battle wrong. At another point, he describes the Juneau as crippling two Japanese carriers. That again did not happen. The other main problem I had was that this book was much more historic fiction. He creates scenes time and time again with characters who died. He also projects his conceptions of why a person acted as they did. It would be a decent read for someone interested in the topic, but avoid it if you love naval history.
December 29, 2019
I like to type at my computer and digest my thoughts, but I’m thumb-tapping this on my phone to keep my immediate sentiments fresh: It took me years to finish this book, as it tells a somewhat-personal story for my family. I started and stopped this book several times, afraid to carry on. This evening, I finally finished it. My Grandaddy’s brother went down with the USS Juneau (RM3c Walter Olan Lister). They were very close brothers, and I’ve heard about him my whole life. Grandaddy followed his footsteps, also joining the Navy in WW2. Thankfully, Grandaddy’s orders were changed and they didn’t both serve on the Juneau, like the other two families who lost multiple sons.
Reading this book still stirred uncomfortable emotions for me. I knew that Grandaddy struggled with the loss of his brother. He saw the headline when he was up north healing from a back injury - the paper said that the ship had been torpedoed and he knew it was bad news.
Fast forward- My Grandaddy read this book, which is how I learned of it. My mom has started, but not finished it.
Our family had a marker placed at Arlington for Uncle Olan, since “lost at sea” seems to lack a real feeling of closure. It’s in a lovely spot under a large shade tree with others who were lost at sea.
The details of the survivors’ dreadful week are very hard to digest. It’s also an all around eerie, odd, frustrating feeling reading about all of the jumbled communication that took place leading up to the [very very delayed] rescue.
As for the writing of the book itself, I felt that the combination of fact with (what seemed to be) conjecture provided a bit of an unbalanced perspective. However, I can imagine the difficulty in portraying the thoughts of an individual who ultimately would not live to share their own story. Also, the repeated use of the word “for” distracted me from time to time. Ex: I’m writing this sample sentence, for one must fully comprehend the concept. The emphasis is of utmost importance, for without it, the point might be missed entirely.
I’ll leave my thoughts here for now, as I fear I’ve become too indulgent already.
Thank you for reading my review/emotional vomit.
I never met you, Uncle Olan, but your passion and love for life lives on in the legacy that’s been passed down in the stories we’ve heard. Thank you for serving your country and your family so well.
Reading this book still stirred uncomfortable emotions for me. I knew that Grandaddy struggled with the loss of his brother. He saw the headline when he was up north healing from a back injury - the paper said that the ship had been torpedoed and he knew it was bad news.
Fast forward- My Grandaddy read this book, which is how I learned of it. My mom has started, but not finished it.
Our family had a marker placed at Arlington for Uncle Olan, since “lost at sea” seems to lack a real feeling of closure. It’s in a lovely spot under a large shade tree with others who were lost at sea.
The details of the survivors’ dreadful week are very hard to digest. It’s also an all around eerie, odd, frustrating feeling reading about all of the jumbled communication that took place leading up to the [very very delayed] rescue.
As for the writing of the book itself, I felt that the combination of fact with (what seemed to be) conjecture provided a bit of an unbalanced perspective. However, I can imagine the difficulty in portraying the thoughts of an individual who ultimately would not live to share their own story. Also, the repeated use of the word “for” distracted me from time to time. Ex: I’m writing this sample sentence, for one must fully comprehend the concept. The emphasis is of utmost importance, for without it, the point might be missed entirely.
I’ll leave my thoughts here for now, as I fear I’ve become too indulgent already.
Thank you for reading my review/emotional vomit.
I never met you, Uncle Olan, but your passion and love for life lives on in the legacy that’s been passed down in the stories we’ve heard. Thank you for serving your country and your family so well.
October 23, 2023
The writing is formulaic—exciting cliff hanger, then drop back for chapter after chapter of background details before returning to the critical moment half way through the book. It reads like a newspaper report. Near the end (I did finish for the sake of my book club) I decided the problem is that there is nothing but facts and information, cast in as positive a light as possible for all concerned. There is no analysis, no interpretation of the significance of events or the reactions of the participants. One survivor is a pre-med student interested in the ability of human beings to overcome great suffering. We are told he learned a lot about this through his experience, but we aren’t told what he learned. Why did some have the will to live and resist the temptation to drink sea water or dive into the ocean to get a sandwich from the ship “which is just there under the surface”? Why did some go on to function relatively normally after the war? Why did others not? All we have here is facts. Information. We also have graphic descriptions of men being eaten alive by sharks. I did like that the author portrays the Japanese submarine commander and one of his men as well as the crew of the doomed ship. The commander was a rare Japanese Christian, criticized because his religion taught him not to hate. Although he loved his country, he later left the military because he couldn’t stand the idea of killing.
The deaths of nearly 700 men, a hundred and fifty of whom might have survived with speedier efforts to rescue them, is indeed a tragedy. I’m just sorry this book didn’t have more meat to it. It might appeal to a certain kind of man who goes in for the mechanics of war, or someone who himself served in the Pacific in World War 2, but I was disappointed.
The deaths of nearly 700 men, a hundred and fifty of whom might have survived with speedier efforts to rescue them, is indeed a tragedy. I’m just sorry this book didn’t have more meat to it. It might appeal to a certain kind of man who goes in for the mechanics of war, or someone who himself served in the Pacific in World War 2, but I was disappointed.
January 30, 2019
This was an engaging read. The author focuses on the human element as well as the historical narrative of what happened. The inadequacies of the navy and the repercussions which resulted were very interesting.
I would have liked more information on the ship specifications, such as how many depth charges it carried. I was not aware (or forgot) that the Atlanta-class light cruisers carried them. Perhaps they contributed to the massive explosion suffered by the Juneau when it was torpedoed.
I would have appreciated a map of the battle or where the ship was sunk.
I would have liked more information on the ship specifications, such as how many depth charges it carried. I was not aware (or forgot) that the Atlanta-class light cruisers carried them. Perhaps they contributed to the massive explosion suffered by the Juneau when it was torpedoed.
I would have appreciated a map of the battle or where the ship was sunk.
January 26, 2025
A harrowing account of a huge loss of life, some of which could have been prevented if they had checked for survivors.
page 91
As Captain Swenson read his orders assigning the Juneau to Admiral Callaghan's Task Group 67.4, he saw his worst fears coming true. Because the Navy was so desperately short of better-suited ships, the Juneau, which was built strictly to fire at aircraft, would now have to attack surface vessels and expose its thin skin to their fire, perhaps the fire of battleships with their powerful 14-inch guns.
page 91
As Captain Swenson read his orders assigning the Juneau to Admiral Callaghan's Task Group 67.4, he saw his worst fears coming true. Because the Navy was so desperately short of better-suited ships, the Juneau, which was built strictly to fire at aircraft, would now have to attack surface vessels and expose its thin skin to their fire, perhaps the fire of battleships with their powerful 14-inch guns.
April 27, 2022
My father was in WWII, wounded in the Pacific arena. I am a WWII buff and have read many non-fiction. books about this timeline and this books rings true. The tragedy of the sinking of the USS Juneau was bad but the hell the few survivors went thru shows what real heroes are. &00 men were on that ship 10 survived. The pain, anguish, sorrow and betrayal made me cry for the lost ones. I live in Waterloo, IA so know about the 5 Sullivans bros. all lost on that ship.
November 5, 2018
Great detail and context around the events of the sinking; this book gets a little schmaltzy sometimes, but is largely personable and sympathetic, and seems well-researched. It even includes Japanese perspectives. It left me with a feeling of futility over the foolish, wasteful violence we humans relentlessly pursue.
November 27, 2019
Had potential. The author missed on this one with sloppy research.
April 1, 2024
Great book on the telling of the USS Juneau tragedy. Very well researched fast read.
November 13, 2013
The story of the USS Juneau is a lot like that of the USS Indianapolis. Survivors battled hunger, thirst, sharks and madness. Out of about 700 souls only 140-150 survived the explosion and sinking of the Juneau. After more than a week at sea only ten came away alive. The last survivor died in 2009.
This story seems to be largely forgotten and I'm grateful that Dan Kurzman wrote a book on this tragedy. Yet I'm not entirely happy with his book. The story itself I give 4 stars but Kurzman's writing style is not entirely appealing to me.
This story seems to be largely forgotten and I'm grateful that Dan Kurzman wrote a book on this tragedy. Yet I'm not entirely happy with his book. The story itself I give 4 stars but Kurzman's writing style is not entirely appealing to me.
May 29, 2012
USS Juneau better known as the ship on which the 5 Sullivan brothers died, but that's just one part of a huge tragedy. If you want the definition of "snafu," read this book. It's negligence to the nth degree, right up there with what happened to the USS Indianapolis (read Kurzman's book "Fatal Voyage" for more on that). What is it with the Navy and ships named in honor of US cities?
February 21, 2013
Though a story of incredible tragedy, I couldn't help myself from the very first page, I needed to know all that happened to the ill-fated USS Juneau and the lives of 700 brave sailors. Dan Kurzman, with this book, did a very fine job in honor of the memory of soldiers who fought valiantly in defense of their loved ones, their country and everything the stood for. A good read.
August 31, 2015
I don't even remember how I came across this book, but I am glad I picked it up. It wasn't the most interesting read based on style and editing, but the fact that it is a true story and one of a few testaments to the transgressions of this tragedy grants it importance.
January 8, 2010
I read this book because my Grandfather died on this boat.
September 7, 2010
Not so good...
September 11, 2011
Excellent historical novel
October 10, 2012
slow, but very interesting history of a major bad move on the navy...to leave 150 men for about 9 days, and come back to find only about 10 left alive. geez. what a tragic screwup.
January 29, 2016
Factual account of 5 Sullivan brothers among those left to die at sea
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews