America's Fighting Admirals: Winning the War at Sea in World War II

by William Tuohy

American naval actions of World War II comprise the most widespread, complex, and dramatic battles in the history of sea warfare. The fighting took place over vast distances in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as in the constricted spaces of the Mediterranean and Solomon seas. Each of the major actions had an admiral, the commander in charge, who led the battle. In combat, the abilities and determination of these commanders at sea were put to the most severe test.

Americas Fighting Admirals describes the course of U.S. sea action in World War II. It examines the skills, strengths, weaknesses and personalities of the American admirals who fought the battles at sea. It examines the effect that stress, tension, and responsibility have on commanders making vital decisions in the red-hot crucible of battle. And it reveals the changing nature of the responsibilities of flag officers as the war progressed and became enormously complex.

Genres: History, World War II, Naval History, American History

400 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2007

About the author

William, or Bill, Tuohy was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author who, for most of his career, was a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I wish one could give half stars

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, providing an overview of the US Navy Admirals who led Naval forces in World War 2, showing how their various personalities and interactions influenced both the ways the battles were fought and the overall course of the war. From the senior Admirals, who are presented with much additional background info, to a variety of lesser known Admirals, the book covers a lot of ground in a succinct manner. In some ways the book parallels, with a Maritime aspect, the first part of The Generals by Thomas Ricks, outlining senior leadership’s decision framework for the desired qualities needed for an Admiral to continue to lead combat units. Other aspects of the book present the process of trial and error used in applying pre-war doctrine to real-war situations. All concepts necessary for victory, from the methods of tactical C2 through to the optimal fleet stationing dispositions, had to be tested and refined. The book leaves the impression of the war not as a series of ever larger battles as more forces are made available, but as a series of ever more efficient use of those available forces. One point that is intuitive, but which I had never really thought through, is brought to the fore by the author: the Fleet was always busy. Though we tend to concentrate on the big battles and invasions, there were plenty of operations taking place in-between these more noteworthy events (such as raids, feints, reconnaissance, etc). It was these smaller scale operations which saw the most testing and refinement of big concepts, as well as the best testing ground for new leaders. I collected a lot of good quotes and “sidebar sea stories” from this book, always a good metric. A great book for those wanting a deeper understanding of combat leadership at a senior level and who want more of a human persona added to the historical narrative.

[Sam Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best histories of the U S Navy during World War II in both the Atlantc and Pacific that I have read.

[Jeffrey McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on naval history (read 12/12/12).

[Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a good overview of all the U.S. Admirals (and some of the Japanese) that were part of all the naval battles in the Pacific. No war has seen the magnitude and scope of the Pacific war from an Naval stand point. Mr. Tuohy does a good job providing a overview of all the personalities, the tactics and combat decisions that were made as the U.S. fought it's way to the defeat of Japan. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in a good overview of the main battles and the Admirals that were involved.

[Frank Larizza · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this book was not well researched.Authors opinions of some Admirals of the early Pac.campain were bias.

[David Celley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at the masterminds that brought the U.S. victory in the war at sea during the Second World War.