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Enterprise: America's Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II
Offering a naval history of the entire Pacific Theater in World War II through the lens of its most famous ship, this is the epic and heroic story of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise , and of the men who fought and died on her from Pearl Harbor to the end of the conflict.
Pearl Harbor . . . Midway . . . Guadalcanal . . . The Marianas . . . Leyte Gulf . . . Iwo Jima . . . Okinawa. These are just seven of the twenty battles that the USS Enterprise took part in during World War II. No other American ship came close to matching her record. Enterprise is the epic, heroic story of this legendary aircraft carrier—nicknamed “the fightingest ship” in the U.S. Navy—and of the men who fought and died on her.
America’s most decorated warship, Enterprise was constantly engaged against the Japanese Empire from December 1941 until May 1945. Her career was eventful, vital, and short. She was commissioned in 1938, and her bombers sank a submarine just three days after the Pearl Harbor attack, claiming the first seagoing Japanese vessel lost in the war. It was the auspicious beginning of an odyssey that Tillman captures brilliantly, from escorting sister carrier Hornet as it launched the Doolittle Raiders against Tokyo in 1942, to playing leading roles in the pivotal battles of Midway and Guadalcanal, to undergoing the shattering nightmare of kamikaze strikes just three months before the end of the war.
Barrett Tillman has been called “the man who owns naval aviation history.” He’s mined official records and oral histories as well as his own interviews with the last surviving veterans who served on Enterprise to give us not only a stunning portrait of the ship’s unique contribution to winning the Pacific war, but also unforgettable portraits of the men who flew from her deck and worked behind the scenes to make success possible. Enterprise is credited with sinking or wrecking 71 Japanese ships and destroying 911 enemy aircraft. She sank two of the four Japanese carriers lost at Midway and contributed to sinking the third. Additionally, 41 men who served in Enterprise had ships named after them.
As with Whirlwind, Tillman’s book on the air war against Japan, Enterprise focuses on the lower ranks—the men who did the actual fighting. He puts us in the shoes of the teenage sailors and their captains and executive officers who ran the ship day-to-day. He puts us in the cockpits of dive bombers and other planes as they careen off Enterprise ’s flight deck to attack enemy ships and defend her against Japanese attackers. We witness their numerous triumphs and many tragedies along the way. However, Tillman does not neglect the top brass—he takes us into the ward rooms and headquarters where larger-than-life flag officers such as Chester Nimitz and William Halsey set the broad strategy for each campaign.
But the main character in the book is the ship itself. “The Big E” was at once a warship and a human institution, vitally unique to her time and place. In this last-minute grab at a quickly fading history, Barrett Tillman preserves the Enterprise story even as her fliers and sailors are departing the scene.
Pearl Harbor . . . Midway . . . Guadalcanal . . . The Marianas . . . Leyte Gulf . . . Iwo Jima . . . Okinawa. These are just seven of the twenty battles that the USS Enterprise took part in during World War II. No other American ship came close to matching her record. Enterprise is the epic, heroic story of this legendary aircraft carrier—nicknamed “the fightingest ship” in the U.S. Navy—and of the men who fought and died on her.
America’s most decorated warship, Enterprise was constantly engaged against the Japanese Empire from December 1941 until May 1945. Her career was eventful, vital, and short. She was commissioned in 1938, and her bombers sank a submarine just three days after the Pearl Harbor attack, claiming the first seagoing Japanese vessel lost in the war. It was the auspicious beginning of an odyssey that Tillman captures brilliantly, from escorting sister carrier Hornet as it launched the Doolittle Raiders against Tokyo in 1942, to playing leading roles in the pivotal battles of Midway and Guadalcanal, to undergoing the shattering nightmare of kamikaze strikes just three months before the end of the war.
Barrett Tillman has been called “the man who owns naval aviation history.” He’s mined official records and oral histories as well as his own interviews with the last surviving veterans who served on Enterprise to give us not only a stunning portrait of the ship’s unique contribution to winning the Pacific war, but also unforgettable portraits of the men who flew from her deck and worked behind the scenes to make success possible. Enterprise is credited with sinking or wrecking 71 Japanese ships and destroying 911 enemy aircraft. She sank two of the four Japanese carriers lost at Midway and contributed to sinking the third. Additionally, 41 men who served in Enterprise had ships named after them.
As with Whirlwind, Tillman’s book on the air war against Japan, Enterprise focuses on the lower ranks—the men who did the actual fighting. He puts us in the shoes of the teenage sailors and their captains and executive officers who ran the ship day-to-day. He puts us in the cockpits of dive bombers and other planes as they careen off Enterprise ’s flight deck to attack enemy ships and defend her against Japanese attackers. We witness their numerous triumphs and many tragedies along the way. However, Tillman does not neglect the top brass—he takes us into the ward rooms and headquarters where larger-than-life flag officers such as Chester Nimitz and William Halsey set the broad strategy for each campaign.
But the main character in the book is the ship itself. “The Big E” was at once a warship and a human institution, vitally unique to her time and place. In this last-minute grab at a quickly fading history, Barrett Tillman preserves the Enterprise story even as her fliers and sailors are departing the scene.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2012
34 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Barrett Tillman
118 books64 followersBorn a fourth-generation Oregonian, descended from American pioneers, Revolutionary War Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden) and Pocahontas, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout[citation needed], won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 22, 2015
I found this book on the career of the USS Enterprise, CV6, an interesting and gossipy look at what makes a warship tick. Mr Tillman follows her from her commissioning in 1938 through to her decommissioning in 1947 and eventual scrapping in the 1958.
In telling her tale, he looks at everyone from the admirals who used her as a flagship, down the men who manned her engine rooms. There are a lot of interesting anecdotes including a few about the problems some of the admiral's staff, esp Halseys, had with the crew and commanders of the Enterprise. In this telling, Halsey comes off as an approachable person who was not above playing acey-deucy with the crew on the bridge. On the other hand his chief of staff appears insufferable. At one point the CoS instructs the helmsman to steer a new course without clearing it the Captain of the ship. When the Captain finds out, he asks the helmsman who is the captain and the he takes it up with Halsey himself and apparently it never happened again. In spite his personal rapport with the crew, the portrait Mr. Tillman paints of Halsey is not particularly flattering. He is presented as someone who does not sweat the details and the portended his troubles later in the war.
One of the aspects I found surprising in the telling of the story is how the fondly some of her Executive Officers were remembered. In most military organization the XO is more the bad cop in the command scenario. In spite of this stereotype, her XOs from the middle period of the war were portrayed as the most liked officers of the command structure.
In addition to the crew stories, the author does a fairly good job of telling the battles in which the Enterprise was involved. Of the 42 battle stars the US Navy gave out in WWII, the Enterprise was awarded 20, the most of any ship in the navy. The next highest was 16. These battles included Pearl Harbor, Midway, the battles around the Solomon Islands, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Her changing roles are also presented. By the later stages of the war, the navy’s first night fighter squadrons were based off of her.
Mr. Tillman also looks at her post war career. By the end of the war she was obsolescent and the Navy felt with the much newer Essex and Midway class carriers, not worth upgrading. After a decade in mothballs, she was sold for scrap after attempts to make her into a museum failed. Mr. Tillman claims that one of the compromises the Navy made with her supporters was to name the new nuclear powered carrier, CVN 65, Enterprise.
All in all an enjoyable read, but a little scattered in places and the people come and go. This volume is organized in chronological order, which at times made following the people a little difficult. I would give it 3.75 stars if Good Reads allowed, so I rounded up to 4 stars
In telling her tale, he looks at everyone from the admirals who used her as a flagship, down the men who manned her engine rooms. There are a lot of interesting anecdotes including a few about the problems some of the admiral's staff, esp Halseys, had with the crew and commanders of the Enterprise. In this telling, Halsey comes off as an approachable person who was not above playing acey-deucy with the crew on the bridge. On the other hand his chief of staff appears insufferable. At one point the CoS instructs the helmsman to steer a new course without clearing it the Captain of the ship. When the Captain finds out, he asks the helmsman who is the captain and the he takes it up with Halsey himself and apparently it never happened again. In spite his personal rapport with the crew, the portrait Mr. Tillman paints of Halsey is not particularly flattering. He is presented as someone who does not sweat the details and the portended his troubles later in the war.
One of the aspects I found surprising in the telling of the story is how the fondly some of her Executive Officers were remembered. In most military organization the XO is more the bad cop in the command scenario. In spite of this stereotype, her XOs from the middle period of the war were portrayed as the most liked officers of the command structure.
In addition to the crew stories, the author does a fairly good job of telling the battles in which the Enterprise was involved. Of the 42 battle stars the US Navy gave out in WWII, the Enterprise was awarded 20, the most of any ship in the navy. The next highest was 16. These battles included Pearl Harbor, Midway, the battles around the Solomon Islands, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Her changing roles are also presented. By the later stages of the war, the navy’s first night fighter squadrons were based off of her.
Mr. Tillman also looks at her post war career. By the end of the war she was obsolescent and the Navy felt with the much newer Essex and Midway class carriers, not worth upgrading. After a decade in mothballs, she was sold for scrap after attempts to make her into a museum failed. Mr. Tillman claims that one of the compromises the Navy made with her supporters was to name the new nuclear powered carrier, CVN 65, Enterprise.
All in all an enjoyable read, but a little scattered in places and the people come and go. This volume is organized in chronological order, which at times made following the people a little difficult. I would give it 3.75 stars if Good Reads allowed, so I rounded up to 4 stars
October 5, 2013
I decided to read this book after seeing it listed in the bibliography of another book I read recently, The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King—the Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea. It sounded interesting to me not only because of my interest in naval history, but also because I grew up watching Star Trek... so how I could possibly resist a book about the USS Enterprise? :)
I was already aware that the Big E (as CV-6 was called) had one of the strongest battle records in WWII, but I have to admit that I was not aware just how strong it actually was. The sheer number of battles she served in over the entire course of the Pacific war is amazing, and her accomplishments were epic in proportion. Most notably, I did not previously realize that in late 1942 and early '43, after the losses of several other carriers that the U.S. war industry had not yet fully spun up to replace, Enterprise was the only American carrier in the entire Pacific Ocean -- in essence, she was the only thing standing between the Japanese and the American west coast. At the time, this fact was played up in the press, making Enterprise a household name.
In fact, my biggest take-away from this book was the way that CV-6 brought the name Enterprise into the public consciousness and made it an enduring tradition in the U.S. Navy. As a Star Trek fan, I was aware of the write-in campaign from fans that caused the Navy to give the name to CVN-65, the first nuclear-powered carrier, and I had always assumed that fans were the reason that the name persisted today. However, I now realize that it was actually CV-6 that made the name famous -- it seems very likely that her fame in WWII is what prompted Gene Roddenberry to give that name to the ship on Star Trek in the first place.
The book tells the story of the Big E in chronological order. While it is very interesting, and it does give many anecdotes of individual crew members and airmen in various battles, it often reads more like a dry recitation of facts; there is simply not enough detail to let the reader get a complete feel for any of the individual personalities involved. While that is perhaps inevitable in a book that tries to cover so many people and events in a reasonable number of pages, it was the one thing that made the book less enjoyable than it might have been otherwise.
Still, I did find it a very interesting read, and I learned a number of interesting facts and details. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in naval history or that of the USS Enterprise.
I was already aware that the Big E (as CV-6 was called) had one of the strongest battle records in WWII, but I have to admit that I was not aware just how strong it actually was. The sheer number of battles she served in over the entire course of the Pacific war is amazing, and her accomplishments were epic in proportion. Most notably, I did not previously realize that in late 1942 and early '43, after the losses of several other carriers that the U.S. war industry had not yet fully spun up to replace, Enterprise was the only American carrier in the entire Pacific Ocean -- in essence, she was the only thing standing between the Japanese and the American west coast. At the time, this fact was played up in the press, making Enterprise a household name.
In fact, my biggest take-away from this book was the way that CV-6 brought the name Enterprise into the public consciousness and made it an enduring tradition in the U.S. Navy. As a Star Trek fan, I was aware of the write-in campaign from fans that caused the Navy to give the name to CVN-65, the first nuclear-powered carrier, and I had always assumed that fans were the reason that the name persisted today. However, I now realize that it was actually CV-6 that made the name famous -- it seems very likely that her fame in WWII is what prompted Gene Roddenberry to give that name to the ship on Star Trek in the first place.
The book tells the story of the Big E in chronological order. While it is very interesting, and it does give many anecdotes of individual crew members and airmen in various battles, it often reads more like a dry recitation of facts; there is simply not enough detail to let the reader get a complete feel for any of the individual personalities involved. While that is perhaps inevitable in a book that tries to cover so many people and events in a reasonable number of pages, it was the one thing that made the book less enjoyable than it might have been otherwise.
Still, I did find it a very interesting read, and I learned a number of interesting facts and details. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in naval history or that of the USS Enterprise.
May 8, 2022
Audible.com 10 hours 35 min. Narrated by Tom Weiner (A)
This is a detailed history of one the first Naval aircraft carriers the USS Enterprise from its birth to its sad destruction and the sailors and airmen who made the ship their home and battleground throughout the Second World War. Enterprise was the only carrier which escaped Pearl Harbor having been delayed by a day due to bad weather; however eleven pilots from the ship were killed trying to land on the island. I'm not familiar with the ranks in the Navy or kinds of planes so I was overwhelmed by the technical terminology, but it was such an interesting account of the daily lives of the men, their names, backgrounds, and too frequently their deaths that I listened a second time. Listening to this book gave me a overview of the major battles of the Pacific since Enterprise was involved in most.. This was a war that unlike the war in Europe could never have been won without aircraft carriers and their planes..
I never knew that ships changed captains so frequently and that still doesn't make much sense to me. It's amazing to listen to the vast amount improvements in the technology in airplanes and on the carriers during the four years of the war. The Enterprise was nearly destroyed a number of times, and credit should be given to those men who dedicated themselves to rebuilding her so quickly and returning her to service. Rating 4.5
This is a detailed history of one the first Naval aircraft carriers the USS Enterprise from its birth to its sad destruction and the sailors and airmen who made the ship their home and battleground throughout the Second World War. Enterprise was the only carrier which escaped Pearl Harbor having been delayed by a day due to bad weather; however eleven pilots from the ship were killed trying to land on the island. I'm not familiar with the ranks in the Navy or kinds of planes so I was overwhelmed by the technical terminology, but it was such an interesting account of the daily lives of the men, their names, backgrounds, and too frequently their deaths that I listened a second time. Listening to this book gave me a overview of the major battles of the Pacific since Enterprise was involved in most.. This was a war that unlike the war in Europe could never have been won without aircraft carriers and their planes..
I never knew that ships changed captains so frequently and that still doesn't make much sense to me. It's amazing to listen to the vast amount improvements in the technology in airplanes and on the carriers during the four years of the war. The Enterprise was nearly destroyed a number of times, and credit should be given to those men who dedicated themselves to rebuilding her so quickly and returning her to service. Rating 4.5
August 22, 2019
Interesting perspective told from this ship. I was surprised on how involved this ship was in every important naval operation. This book also has lots of stats on aircraft numbers. Gotta love that
August 15, 2017
Unfortunately, I only made it mid-way through this history of the Big E, before taking it back to the library. While there were certainly some very interesting details about the ship, her battles, and her crew, it eventually became monotonous.
I certainly don't expect every book of history to be something akin to a biography, but I had hoped for a sense of "life" aboard the Enterprise—stories that came alive—as related to the people talked about within the pages. While the author did give personality traits for the men who served aboard her, the stories felt disconnected from them as actual human beings.
The air and sea battles were, at times, quite interesting, but after a while, the fights seemed repetitive (sorry, can't find a better word to use). A lot of victories and losses. Lots of names of people who survived and lost their lives. I don't mean to be, in any way, disrespectful, it just eventually became difficult to read another battle with new names who lost their lives or came back victorious ... over and over again.
However, for those who have relatives mentioned within these pages, I'm sure this is a great memorial and commemoration, as well it should be.
The negatives aside, this author definitely went to great lengths to research what he wrote. I can't begin to imagine the number of locations he had to go to to ferret all of the details out. Astounding, especially as it came to knowing what happened to specific Japanese sailors and pilots. He had to have gotten a lot of help from the Japanese navy and Japanese naval historians (I didn't peruse the bibliography). In this regard, I have to give high praise!
I certainly don't expect every book of history to be something akin to a biography, but I had hoped for a sense of "life" aboard the Enterprise—stories that came alive—as related to the people talked about within the pages. While the author did give personality traits for the men who served aboard her, the stories felt disconnected from them as actual human beings.
The air and sea battles were, at times, quite interesting, but after a while, the fights seemed repetitive (sorry, can't find a better word to use). A lot of victories and losses. Lots of names of people who survived and lost their lives. I don't mean to be, in any way, disrespectful, it just eventually became difficult to read another battle with new names who lost their lives or came back victorious ... over and over again.
However, for those who have relatives mentioned within these pages, I'm sure this is a great memorial and commemoration, as well it should be.
The negatives aside, this author definitely went to great lengths to research what he wrote. I can't begin to imagine the number of locations he had to go to to ferret all of the details out. Astounding, especially as it came to knowing what happened to specific Japanese sailors and pilots. He had to have gotten a lot of help from the Japanese navy and Japanese naval historians (I didn't peruse the bibliography). In this regard, I have to give high praise!
August 25, 2016
Because of my interest in WWII I got this book through Amazon’s Vine program for reviewing. This book tells the tale of the USS Enterprise, CV-6, from its beginning to its scrapping. In telling the tale of CV-6 Mr. Tillman follows her service life and provides little snippets about the crew.
While Mr. Tillman offers some good background information on the USS Enterprise I really wasn’t won over; I kept looking for the meat but kept finding filler. While Mr. Tillman gives us the different battles CV-6 participated in, the focus is on the Enterprise’s performance with the results of the battle not being concluded always. Mr. Tillman does provide stories about the crews’ performance during the battle being described; however these are typically stories about the aircrews and have been in other books. Because of this, Enterprise is a 3 star book to me. Others may enjoy having the complete story of CV-6 in one volume, but for me it’s an average telling.
While Mr. Tillman offers some good background information on the USS Enterprise I really wasn’t won over; I kept looking for the meat but kept finding filler. While Mr. Tillman gives us the different battles CV-6 participated in, the focus is on the Enterprise’s performance with the results of the battle not being concluded always. Mr. Tillman does provide stories about the crews’ performance during the battle being described; however these are typically stories about the aircrews and have been in other books. Because of this, Enterprise is a 3 star book to me. Others may enjoy having the complete story of CV-6 in one volume, but for me it’s an average telling.
January 12, 2013
To begin...I'm a big student of the Pacific War...my Dad was a radioman on a dive bomber. I usually eat these types of book up. Not this one. This reads like the alumni yearbook of the Big E. It does tell the story of her keel laying, deployment to both the Atlantic and Pacific and all, of her battles. In mindnumbing, minute detail. No music, no flow, just a dry recitation of facts. Every single pilot, radioman, copilot, commander, chief, mess steward is named. The stories of her battles are presented in an "order of battle" manner. The always indecipherable Battle of Midway remains just that, indecipherable. The high point for me was a great description og a shellback ceremony. (if you have to ask, this book isn't for you.)
I generally love these books...not here. Disappointing.
I generally love these books...not here. Disappointing.
February 29, 2016
I was excited to read a book about the Enterprise but had to give up after about 60 pages and I rarely give up on a book. This book was intended to tell the story of the Big E and it's path through WWII However, this book was so poorly written I struggled to follow the story the author was trying to tell. This was compounded by the authors poor writing containing disjointed sentences and paragraphs. Very disappointed in this book!
October 31, 2024
A good book, it seemed more historical information than personal, still enjoyable. I am someone interested in the things that went on in WWII. Others might find it a harder book to read if you are not history fan.
The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise was in the bulk of the key battles of the Pacific Theatre. It is good read if you want to know what made the Enterprise the formidable ship it was to the Japanese.
The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise was in the bulk of the key battles of the Pacific Theatre. It is good read if you want to know what made the Enterprise the formidable ship it was to the Japanese.
December 13, 2016
It's always tough to focus on one battle or one ship as the whole focus of a book. The author clearly did a lot of research and was very detail oriented, but sometimes I felt too much. He got behind the personalities of the ship, but I felt like didn't spend enough time going over some of the major battles the ship fought in.
January 25, 2024
【2024BOOK01】 "Enterprise: America's Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II" by Barrett Tillman. When I was still a primary schoolboy, I read fragments about the story of the "Enterprise" (CV-6) aircraft carrier in books. Later, while playing Azur Lane, I repeatedly glanced at the legendary tale of "One Ship Against One Nation - Enterprise vs. Japan" on the game's webpage. While reading this book, I shed tears for this legendary aircraft carrier's heroic and sometimes tragic experiences. Looking back, compared with her magnificent life, "Enterprise vs. Japan" can be considered just one memorable chapter. Launched in 1936 and in combat from December 7, 1941, the day of the Pearl Harbor Attack, until three months before Japan's surrender on May 14, 1945, the "Enterprise" witnessed countless instances of cruelty, determination, courage, and human goodness. In that conflict making the ocean bloody, the "Enterprise" was truly a beacon of humanity.
There is so much I want to say about the "Enterprise." I composed a poem for her and plan to write a long article to commemorate her when I have more time. Here, I'll note a fun and memorable aspect. During the Pacific War, carrier-based aircraft were often forced to ditch on the sea for various reasons. If American planes ditched in an area where their own fleet was present, other smaller vessels would go to rescue the pilots and then "utilize" pilots to "blackmail" ice cream from the aircraft carrier 😂. An "Enterprise" pilot could exchange for five gallons of ice cream, and a beloved ace pilot was worth twenty gallons. That's lovely.
【2024年的第1本书】《Enterprise: America’s Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II》（“企业”号航母：美国历战最多的军舰与那些帮助赢得二战的人）。还在读小学的时候，就零零碎碎在书上读到过“约克城”级航母“企业”号（CV-6）的故事。后来玩碧蓝航线，在游戏百科里一次又一次地看到她“一舰敌一国——Enterprise vs. Japan”的传奇。在读这本书的过程中，好几次为这艘传奇航母悲壮的经历潸然泪下。回头来看，“一舰敌一国”其实只能算是“企业”号航母波澜壮阔的一生中的一个篇章。作为一艘1936年下水，从1941年12月7日珍珠港事件后一直战斗到1945年5月14日日本投降前三个月，几乎打满了太平洋战争全场的军舰，“企业”号见证了无数的残酷、决心、勇气与人性之善。在那场血染大洋的冲突中，“企业”号是真正的人类之光。关于“企业”号真的有太多的话想说。我为她写了诗，想写一篇长长的文章来纪念她，就等到以后时间充裕的时候吧。这里就记录一个我印象深刻的好玩的地方——太平洋战争期间，航母舰载机很容易因为各种原因在海面上迫降。美军飞机如果是落在己方舰队所在海域，其他的小型军舰就会去救助飞行员，然后用飞行员和航母换冰淇淋吃😂。一个“企业”号的飞行员可以换五加仑冰淇淋。如果捞到广受爱戴的王牌飞行员，一个就可以换二十加仑。可爱。
There is so much I want to say about the "Enterprise." I composed a poem for her and plan to write a long article to commemorate her when I have more time. Here, I'll note a fun and memorable aspect. During the Pacific War, carrier-based aircraft were often forced to ditch on the sea for various reasons. If American planes ditched in an area where their own fleet was present, other smaller vessels would go to rescue the pilots and then "utilize" pilots to "blackmail" ice cream from the aircraft carrier 😂. An "Enterprise" pilot could exchange for five gallons of ice cream, and a beloved ace pilot was worth twenty gallons. That's lovely.
【2024年的第1本书】《Enterprise: America’s Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II》（“企业”号航母：美国历战最多的军舰与那些帮助赢得二战的人）。还在读小学的时候，就零零碎碎在书上读到过“约克城”级航母“企业”号（CV-6）的故事。后来玩碧蓝航线，在游戏百科里一次又一次地看到她“一舰敌一国——Enterprise vs. Japan”的传奇。在读这本书的过程中，好几次为这艘传奇航母悲壮的经历潸然泪下。回头来看，“一舰敌一国”其实只能算是“企业”号航母波澜壮阔的一生中的一个篇章。作为一艘1936年下水，从1941年12月7日珍珠港事件后一直战斗到1945年5月14日日本投降前三个月，几乎打满了太平洋战争全场的军舰，“企业”号见证了无数的残酷、决心、勇气与人性之善。在那场血染大洋的冲突中，“企业”号是真正的人类之光。关于“企业”号真的有太多的话想说。我为她写了诗，想写一篇长长的文章来纪念她，就等到以后时间充裕的时候吧。这里就记录一个我印象深刻的好玩的地方——太平洋战争期间，航母舰载机很容易因为各种原因在海面上迫降。美军飞机如果是落在己方舰队所在海域，其他的小型军舰就会去救助飞行员，然后用飞行员和航母换冰淇淋吃😂。一个“企业”号的飞行员可以换五加仑冰淇淋。如果捞到广受爱戴的王牌飞行员，一个就可以换二十加仑。可爱。
July 26, 2022
From the Pearl Harbour attack until a kamikaze knocked her out of the war in May, 1945, the USS Enterprise served in the vanguard of America's naval task forces. In this fine history, renowned military author Barrett Tillman describes the exploits of the "Big E" as she and her crew fought to bring the war to the Japanese.
From the unfortunate loss of several of her aircraft to friendly fire by nervous gunners at Pearl Harbour to the shores of the Japanese homeland, the Enterprise served in every major naval battle of the Pacific War. The Big E's fliers struck the first retaliatory blows against the Marshall islands in early 1942. She sailed with the USS Hornet during the Tokyo raid. She helped send four Japanese carriers to the bottom at Midway. She held the line as the only American carrier in the Pacific during the Guadalcanal campaign. She participated in the assault on the Marianas, Gilberts, Marshalls, Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. She also served as the first American carrier specifically set up for night fighters and bombers. Despite being hit several times, the Japanese could never finish off the Enterprise. She would retire to refit, always returning stronger than before.
Author Barrett Tillman tells the story of the USS Enterprise in a manner that truly befits this fine ship. Drawing on interviews from the last surviving veterans, Tillman paints a vivid picture of Americas most fightingest ship. Tillman includes portraits of all of the Big E's contemporaries; from her commanding officers to her heroic pilots down to the deck crew and even the mess hands. The Big E was truly a fighting ship throughout.
I've read several books by Barrett Tillman, including "Whirlwind" and "Clash of the Carriers", and I've always enjoyed his unique ability to tell a sea story. That ability is in full view in "Enterprise". He adds personal accounts from the men of the Big E to his own personal narrative. The result is a very readable book that provides a fine story of the USS Enterprise. Highly recommended.
From the unfortunate loss of several of her aircraft to friendly fire by nervous gunners at Pearl Harbour to the shores of the Japanese homeland, the Enterprise served in every major naval battle of the Pacific War. The Big E's fliers struck the first retaliatory blows against the Marshall islands in early 1942. She sailed with the USS Hornet during the Tokyo raid. She helped send four Japanese carriers to the bottom at Midway. She held the line as the only American carrier in the Pacific during the Guadalcanal campaign. She participated in the assault on the Marianas, Gilberts, Marshalls, Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. She also served as the first American carrier specifically set up for night fighters and bombers. Despite being hit several times, the Japanese could never finish off the Enterprise. She would retire to refit, always returning stronger than before.
Author Barrett Tillman tells the story of the USS Enterprise in a manner that truly befits this fine ship. Drawing on interviews from the last surviving veterans, Tillman paints a vivid picture of Americas most fightingest ship. Tillman includes portraits of all of the Big E's contemporaries; from her commanding officers to her heroic pilots down to the deck crew and even the mess hands. The Big E was truly a fighting ship throughout.
I've read several books by Barrett Tillman, including "Whirlwind" and "Clash of the Carriers", and I've always enjoyed his unique ability to tell a sea story. That ability is in full view in "Enterprise". He adds personal accounts from the men of the Big E to his own personal narrative. The result is a very readable book that provides a fine story of the USS Enterprise. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2022
It's not surprising that I thought this book was kind of thin, considering I was forewarned by other reviews, but it's still sad that it lived down to expectations. Describing Halsey on the flag bridge on the west coast in 1940, watching Japanese ships loading scrap metal...."War was coming. He could feel it." :-(- Or describing VJ day..."People who had never met before, and likely never would meet again, exchanged heartfelt hugs, kisses, solicitations, and body fluids." Is that detail really necessary in a book about the carrier Enterprise? There's another line a few pages later about sailors reminiscing about girls "loved and left" as the ship steams out of harbor. Not appropriate in a book that was published in the second decade of the 21st century.
Tillman has written a book that focuses mostly on the aviators, although he does manage to get in nearly all the ship captain's names, is not a very interesting or compelling narrative, and gives accounts of major incidents in a logbook-like, just-the-facts account. We learn about the character of some of the aviators shot down only in the same paragraph describing their deaths. Or we hear about how so-and-so (and really, the endless parade of unknown names is pretty confusing) was a tall guy from the Southwest who really loved gambling, but then there's nothing else about him until the next chapter when he is shot down.
Obviously Tillman has affection for the ship and it's crew, but details are thin (only 262 pages) and narrative is awkward and underwhelming. He's also hampered by trying to write about characters that have mostly died. Maybe that's why it reads more like a 1950's book...because he's relying on documents from the events rather than personal memories? Still, I can't help but wonder what an author like John Lundstrom would do with this subject.
Tillman has written a book that focuses mostly on the aviators, although he does manage to get in nearly all the ship captain's names, is not a very interesting or compelling narrative, and gives accounts of major incidents in a logbook-like, just-the-facts account. We learn about the character of some of the aviators shot down only in the same paragraph describing their deaths. Or we hear about how so-and-so (and really, the endless parade of unknown names is pretty confusing) was a tall guy from the Southwest who really loved gambling, but then there's nothing else about him until the next chapter when he is shot down.
Obviously Tillman has affection for the ship and it's crew, but details are thin (only 262 pages) and narrative is awkward and underwhelming. He's also hampered by trying to write about characters that have mostly died. Maybe that's why it reads more like a 1950's book...because he's relying on documents from the events rather than personal memories? Still, I can't help but wonder what an author like John Lundstrom would do with this subject.
April 10, 2020
When I read the last page, I was sad that the book ended--which is what a good book does. Tillman does something very magical with his writing in Enterprise, he makes you feel like part of the story. More than just listing facts and figures, there's an engaging human aspect to this book that allows you to be on the Enterprise on her shakedown cruise, during the hectic days of Pearl Harbor and the first "revenge raids" and the tumultuous battles of Midway, Santa Cruz, and others.
My only complaint is how sometimes his introductions to new officers and enlisted men felt a little obtrusive at times. For instance, we might be reading about one battle and in the middle of it, he'll introduce a Wildcat pilot and give us a little blurb about him. I found these a little distracting.
Also, over 8 years of service, it would be impossible to keep track of everyone he introduces. Not just the captains and senior leaders, but junior enlisted and officers come and go with such regularity that it becomes hard to keep track. I found myself skipping over sections where he tells us who comes and who goes.
That minor complaint aside, I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading it and "being there" on the deck of the Big E. I've been a fan of this ship before I read this book, but after reading it, man I wish the government had gotten its act together and allowed CV-6 to be preserved as a museum ship.
My only complaint is how sometimes his introductions to new officers and enlisted men felt a little obtrusive at times. For instance, we might be reading about one battle and in the middle of it, he'll introduce a Wildcat pilot and give us a little blurb about him. I found these a little distracting.
Also, over 8 years of service, it would be impossible to keep track of everyone he introduces. Not just the captains and senior leaders, but junior enlisted and officers come and go with such regularity that it becomes hard to keep track. I found myself skipping over sections where he tells us who comes and who goes.
That minor complaint aside, I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading it and "being there" on the deck of the Big E. I've been a fan of this ship before I read this book, but after reading it, man I wish the government had gotten its act together and allowed CV-6 to be preserved as a museum ship.
March 18, 2022
An exciting story, both grand and personal
I thoroughly enjoyed Tillman's ENTERPRISE, and rank it with the best books I've read about World War II. It's a coincidence I am writing this review on Memorial Day, as ENTERPRISE is a worthy tribute to those men whose sacrifices and accomplishments helped the Allies win. Tillman covers the essentials of aircraft carriers and their operations, providing comparisons to give perspective. He tells this sweeping story chronologically, but transcends mere history to take readers back to the 1930s and 40s with his vivid prose and insights. Here is one of my favorite passages:
"In passageways, wardrooms, and mess facilities, officers and whitehats learned that Butch O'Hare was the real deal. He could draw a crowd just by walking past a group of sailors, but inevitably he greeted everyone, regardless of rank. He trailed morale in his wake like phosphorescence on a nocturnal sea."
I am a former Naval Flight Officer but only a casual student of history, so I've heard of many of the men in ENTERPRISE, and now I feel like I know them. At roughly 260 pages, the book covers a lot of territory, but Tillman keeps the story moving. He describes historical events -- the Pearl Harbor attack, Doolittle Raid, Marianas Turkey Shoot, and more -- zooming in to the personal level very effectively. This makes ENTERPRISE a book I recommend to a wide range of readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tillman's ENTERPRISE, and rank it with the best books I've read about World War II. It's a coincidence I am writing this review on Memorial Day, as ENTERPRISE is a worthy tribute to those men whose sacrifices and accomplishments helped the Allies win. Tillman covers the essentials of aircraft carriers and their operations, providing comparisons to give perspective. He tells this sweeping story chronologically, but transcends mere history to take readers back to the 1930s and 40s with his vivid prose and insights. Here is one of my favorite passages:
"In passageways, wardrooms, and mess facilities, officers and whitehats learned that Butch O'Hare was the real deal. He could draw a crowd just by walking past a group of sailors, but inevitably he greeted everyone, regardless of rank. He trailed morale in his wake like phosphorescence on a nocturnal sea."
I am a former Naval Flight Officer but only a casual student of history, so I've heard of many of the men in ENTERPRISE, and now I feel like I know them. At roughly 260 pages, the book covers a lot of territory, but Tillman keeps the story moving. He describes historical events -- the Pearl Harbor attack, Doolittle Raid, Marianas Turkey Shoot, and more -- zooming in to the personal level very effectively. This makes ENTERPRISE a book I recommend to a wide range of readers.
August 5, 2017
A very readable & engaging history of the U.S.S. Enterprise, from its design & construction through its postwar fate. The Enterprise is deservedly known as America's fightingest (if that's a word) ship, since it had more battle honors than any other carrier. The best part of this history are the stories of individual officers, sailors, marines, and aviators that are mixed in throughout the book. It becomes clear to the reader how the Enterprise was at the forefront of tactical and other innovations during the war, including the evolution of night fighters on carriers.
I recommend reading this book.
I recommend reading this book.
August 11, 2019
The USS Enterprise (CV-6) and her crew have captured my attention, admiration and enthusiastic study for forty plus years. I note this only as testimony that my review is educated.
Mr. Tillman obviously conducted thorough research on a subject he is passionate about. Once you have learned of the Big E’s exploits it is easy to become enthusiastic. But Mr. Tillman took the time to interview and know the crew, bringing us closely into their cockpits and the recesses of the ship.
The USS Enterprise has (yes...HAS, not had) a soul. The author did an excellent job of helping the willing to see that beautiful, corageous soul. Thank you!
Mr. Tillman obviously conducted thorough research on a subject he is passionate about. Once you have learned of the Big E’s exploits it is easy to become enthusiastic. But Mr. Tillman took the time to interview and know the crew, bringing us closely into their cockpits and the recesses of the ship.
The USS Enterprise has (yes...HAS, not had) a soul. The author did an excellent job of helping the willing to see that beautiful, corageous soul. Thank you!
October 18, 2020
A story of a ship's life through war and beyond. The author does a great job of telling the story of a ship and those who served in her and how that interaction lives on way beyond the life of a hulk or hull. The story is told in an easy to read and easy to follow manner. It is amazing how a ship can affect a person but it is possible and from personal experience, the author nails the feelings and effect perfectly in this tale.
June 12, 2021
Engaging and detailed, Barrett Tillman's "biography" of 'The Big E' traces the years of USS Enterprise, CVN-6, one of the most famous warships in the history of the United States. Rich with character and detail, this book scores nearly perfectly as a seminal classic and example of how to tell the story of a warship's career. Aside from an odd and out-of-place criticism of "political correctness," which jars the reader from the flow of the book, this is an exceptional volume.
December 11, 2017
There is no verb or noun that the author did not embellish with an adjective/adverb or six.
This is definitely a slanted look at the history of the Enterprise.
I found "Now Hear This! Histories of United States Ships in World War Two" by John J. Motley to be a much better book.
This is definitely a slanted look at the history of the Enterprise.
I found "Now Hear This! Histories of United States Ships in World War Two" by John J. Motley to be a much better book.
August 8, 2018
A well written (If opinionated, in certain sections) history of CV-6 Enterprise and its air groups and conduct during the war. I think it's a good summary though I found myself wanting to know more details about some operations, especially the late war.
March 17, 2023
The problem with attempting to write a book about the most famous US warship of World War 2 is that there is so much history to draw upon that it reads like history light. Tillman also tends to make everything sound rosy and positive, even when then is constant death & loss during the war.
February 10, 2024
For a massive history buff like me who has a love for Enterprise this book was everything. It started with tears with the first line of the book and the last chapter going into her final months. This was so well written there was times I could not put the book down.
September 5, 2025
I got more interested in the Pacific Theater of World War Two after my visit to Pearl Harbor earlier this year. And this and the other book I read from Barrett Tillman have really helped me learn a lot about this critical period in our nation's history.
January 30, 2018
A bit of a quick overview of all the action s seen by the Enterprise. A few interesting stories that I had not read on other accounts of battles she fought in.
February 10, 2020
Riveting first person accounts woven into a non-fiction history that reads like a novel.
March 14, 2020
Good read.
I liked the book, thanks. Kept me interested. Wish it was the "The Big E", but not bad. Thanks Mr. Tillman.
I liked the book, thanks. Kept me interested. Wish it was the "The Big E", but not bad. Thanks Mr. Tillman.
August 30, 2020
A well detailed book with a tremendous amount of information about the crew and the pilots
March 13, 2021
A solid war book, focused on the ship and men who made it.
January 1, 2022
雖然是航艦的故事，實際閱讀更像是美軍為視角的太平洋戰爭史，終於知道什麼什麼之役各自扮演什麼角色，以後要看相關的東西應該也會有基本的背景知識。這本書閱讀起來吃力的地方在於有很多人名，有點像美軍軍官的英雄錄。
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