Chester W. Nimitz: Admiral of the Hills

by Frank A. Driscoll, Dede Weldon Casad

From his boyhood days in the Hill Country of Central Texas to the apogee of his career as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific, Chester W. Nimitz reflected the best qualities of his German-European heritage and the frontier society of his native land. These two Texas authors bring out the influences that profoundly shaped the man Nimitz from his boyhood days, through his years as a cadet and finally to the development of the officer that subordinates would come to love and respect.

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[N.K. Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we moved to Texas, we visited the German town of Fredricksburg (Nimitz's hometown). My husband wanted to go to the World World II museum (US Navy/Japan) where we enjoyed the history and monuments. We also learned that Nimitz was part of this war and I picked up this book to read, and after reading it, I am happy I did. It gave me a stronger perspective of the strategies and inner workings of the military during the war. Nimitz was a very intelligent man and a man of honor. I loved that after going through the loss of life during the war that after peace was made with Japan, thereafter he dedicated the rest of time to keeping peace. The things he did for Japan after the war (making sure their monuments were kept safe and returning very important relics to them) explains why the Japanese loved him and respected him so much. They even sent six men to Fredricksburg to build a Japanese garden to honor Nimitz when he passed. I'm really happy I picked up this book, it was a really great read.

[Esteban Stipnieks · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all know Nimitz made mistakes a few during the Pacific War the weak point is the book does not mention them. As a Schreiner Alumni who spent a portion of my life in Kerrville I was amused to find to find out well Nimitz was in part a Kerrvert and I walked where the teenage Nimitz played a prank! Not a heavy in depth read but it did have a couple amusing anectdotes.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial. It intrigued me to read further on the strategies and personal accounts of the counterattack.

[Clytee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in Fredericksburg, Texas when I was driving my parents from Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Port Aransas, Texas in January (2012). This wonderful little town is Chester Nimitz's hometown, and the home of a large, amazing "Museum of the War of the Pacific". My father (a WW II Navy veteran) and mother and I spent a morning touring this museum. I bought this biography as a follow up to the visit. The first Navy WW II book I have ever read, which I found way more fascinating than I thought. I am interested in my dad's experience, and the details of the Pacific part of the war. This book is VERY pro-Nimitz (he can't do anything wrong in the author's view), but I respect this guy and loved Fredericksburg, so very much enjoyed this book.

[Les Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-felt, solidly researched biography of a great admiral. Nimitz was determined to excel at every job to which he was assigned. He became the Navy's leading authority on the diesel engine, worked without complaint at a desk job in Washington and was chosen as commander-in-chief of the Pacific, leap-frogging sixteen senior admirals for the promotion. He made numerous gestures after the war in the interest of peace and goodwill toward the Japanese people.