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Nimitz at War: Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay
From one of our most distinguished naval historians, the first wartime biography in a half-century of the man who guided America to victory in the Pacific in World War Two
The most cataclysmic and consequential war in history produced more than its share of fascinating characters and great leaders. Some have hardened into legend, others fallen below the radar. Somewhere in-between sits Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of both the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific
Ocean Area from 1941 to 1945. Nimitz demanded and received less attention than his Army counterpart, Douglas MacArthur, whose self-promotion was prodigious. He seemed less colorful than some of his subordinates, such as Admiral Bill "Bull" Halsey and General Holland "Howlin' Mad" Smith. Yet Nimitz's
was the guiding hand of Allied forces in the Pacific War, and the central figure in the victory against Japan.
Craig L. Symonds's full-length portrait of Nimitz, from the precarious early months following Pearl Harbor, when Nimitz assumed command of the Pacific Fleet, to the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay, is the first in more than fifty years. Using Nimitz's headquarters-the eye of the hurricane-as the
vantage point, Symonds covers the major campaigns, from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. He captures Nimitz's calm, discipline, homespun wisdom, and uncanny sense of when to project authority and when to pull back, illuminating how this helped him direct one of the largest and most complex campaigns in
military history, fought against an implacable foe. The pressures Nimitz faced were crushing, involving tactical and strategic decision-making, visualizing success while mindful of the welfare of those who served under him-soldiers, sailors, and Marines. He had to corral assertive subordinates and
keep them focused on the larger objectives, and maintain a strong working relationship with his own superiors, including the equally formidable Admiral Ernest J. King and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition, Nimitz had to deal with the public spectacle of war, managing the expectations of a
nation both expecting victory and longing for the carnage to end.
In retrospect it seems impossible to imagine anyone else could have accomplished all this. As Symonds' absorbing, dynamic, and authoritative portrait reveals, it took leadership asked of-and exhibited by-few others. Behind Nimitz's unflappable professionalism and reservoirs of charm were a resolve
and audacity that became evident when most needed.
The most cataclysmic and consequential war in history produced more than its share of fascinating characters and great leaders. Some have hardened into legend, others fallen below the radar. Somewhere in-between sits Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of both the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific
Ocean Area from 1941 to 1945. Nimitz demanded and received less attention than his Army counterpart, Douglas MacArthur, whose self-promotion was prodigious. He seemed less colorful than some of his subordinates, such as Admiral Bill "Bull" Halsey and General Holland "Howlin' Mad" Smith. Yet Nimitz's
was the guiding hand of Allied forces in the Pacific War, and the central figure in the victory against Japan.
Craig L. Symonds's full-length portrait of Nimitz, from the precarious early months following Pearl Harbor, when Nimitz assumed command of the Pacific Fleet, to the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay, is the first in more than fifty years. Using Nimitz's headquarters-the eye of the hurricane-as the
vantage point, Symonds covers the major campaigns, from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. He captures Nimitz's calm, discipline, homespun wisdom, and uncanny sense of when to project authority and when to pull back, illuminating how this helped him direct one of the largest and most complex campaigns in
military history, fought against an implacable foe. The pressures Nimitz faced were crushing, involving tactical and strategic decision-making, visualizing success while mindful of the welfare of those who served under him-soldiers, sailors, and Marines. He had to corral assertive subordinates and
keep them focused on the larger objectives, and maintain a strong working relationship with his own superiors, including the equally formidable Admiral Ernest J. King and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition, Nimitz had to deal with the public spectacle of war, managing the expectations of a
nation both expecting victory and longing for the carnage to end.
In retrospect it seems impossible to imagine anyone else could have accomplished all this. As Symonds' absorbing, dynamic, and authoritative portrait reveals, it took leadership asked of-and exhibited by-few others. Behind Nimitz's unflappable professionalism and reservoirs of charm were a resolve
and audacity that became evident when most needed.
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First published June 1, 2022
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About the author
Craig L. Symonds
45 books241 followersCraig Lee Symonds is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at the United States Naval Academy. He earned both his MA (1969) and Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Florida.
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February 4, 2023
“Never a religious man, [Chester] Nimitz asked that his headstone be inscribed with the five-star emblem of his rank as a fleet admiral rather than the Christian cross. He purchased a plot with space for six graves for himself, his two friends [Admirals Charles Lockwood and Raymond Spruance], and their wives…It is noteworthy that Nimitz’s principal lieutenants wished to immortalize their association with their wartime commander, and he with them. They had shared much together – the war in the Pacific was, after all, the great adventure of their lives. In addition to that, however, there is in their decision a recognition that Nimitz was the centerpiece of that adventure…In 1941, [Admiral Ernest J.] King had feared that Nimitz wasn’t tough enough for command. Over the ensuing four years, Nimitz had demonstrated that humility, careful listening, calm assessment, patience, and the ability to recognize when to accept calculated risk, brought military success as well as the admiration of those who executed his orders…”
- Craig Symonds, Nimitz at War: Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay
At the time of the 1941 air raid on Pearl Harbor, the commander of United States Naval Forces in the Pacific was an admiral named Husband Kimmel. Not surprisingly – given that Pearl Harbor was one of the greatest disasters in American military history – Admiral Kimmel soon found himself out of a job.
Ever since, there has been a low-key movement to rehabilitate Admiral Kimmel’s reputation. Part of this has been motivated by a desire to damage President Franklin Roosevelt, who has been accused of knowing in advance about the Japanese assault, and withholding valuable information. Others, however, including Kimmel’s family, have more genuine motivations in attempting to rectify what they perceive as a historical wrong. Kimmel, they argue, has been made a scapegoat for a whole chain of errors, with only some of the links attributable to him.
Whatever the reasons, the campaign has never really gained any traction. The reason, I believe, is that the man who took Admiral Kimmel’s job turned out to be one of this nation’s greatest commanders.
That man – Admiral Chester Nimitz – is the subject of Craig Symonds’s aptly titled Nimitz at War.
***
As the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and also the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas, Nimitz had a massive responsibility analogous to that of Dwight D. Eisenhower in Europe, but over a much wider area with far greater logistical challenges. A deliberative, unflashy man whose exterior belied a go-for-the-throat mentality, Nimitz belongs in consideration as one of the indispensable men of the Second World War.
In keeping with its no-nonsense title and straight-down-the-middle approach, Nimitz at War unfolds in a strictly chronological fashion. It begins with Nimitz en route to Hawaii, where he will take charge of the battered Pacific Fleet, much of it sunk at its moorings, and ends with his participation in the Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. This is not, by any means, a true biography of the soft-spoken Texan with the snow white hair and missing left ring finger. Of course, Symonds makes reference to Nimitz’s past, especially as it impacted his demeanor and decisions. But if you want to follow the man from bassinet to boneyard, you will have to look elsewhere (Symonds himself recommends E.B. Potter’s Nimitz).
Between the bookends of Pearl Harbor and Japan’s capitulation, Symonds takes us through the Pacific War, as seen from Nimitz’s perspective, and analyzed based on Nimitz’s contributions. Symonds does a fine job of setting the stage of the various battles fought on Nimitz’s watch, but because Nimitz was not personally involved in combat, tactical discussions are – with some exceptions – kept to a minimum. Thus, if you aren’t already familiar with the heavyweight clash between the United States Navy and the Imperial Navy of Japan, you will likely want to read an overview or two before grabbing this one. There are numerous recent, excellent volumes on this struggle, including Symonds’s own World War II at Sea.
***
You will probably not find yourself copying down Symonds’s prose in your diary, and then reading it aloud in the darkness of the night before drifting off to sleep. At least, I never found myself doing this. I don’t mean this to sound churlish. It’s just that there are a lot of superb author-historians who have tackled this subject matter, and who have brought more vim and vigor to the proceedings.
With that said, Symonds is incredibly accessible, combining a gift for storytelling with an ability to seamlessly integrate more in-depth discussions into the narrative, without breaking the flow. Readability is an underrated virtue, mainly because it’s not something you think about if a book is ably constructed. Having read more than my share of history books, I can fairly say that not every well-educated professor has Symonds’s talent for writing in a manner that doesn’t call attention to itself, because the mechanisms are working as designed.
***
It should not spoil anything to say that Symonds believes Nimitz to have been pretty damn good at his job. Certainly, you cannot argue with the results.
According to Symonds, Nimitz was not a brilliant master of strategy – however that might be defined – yet had many other attributes just as important. He had a Lincolnesque ability to take the advice of many, while also sticking to his own gut instincts. He used humor to diminish tension and make a point, and often gave subordinates second chances in different jobs, matching talent to task. He was a considered risk-taker, refusing to plunge off a cliff without checking the water’s depth, but definitely willing to leap once he received intelligence estimates that he wouldn’t break his neck. The best example of this is the Battle of Midway, in which Nimitz okayed an ambush of Admiral Yamamoto’s massive invasion force based on Joseph Rochefort’s cryptographic breakthroughs.
Though it is never explicit, Symonds subtly compares Nimitz to General Douglas MacArthur. As each was in charge of his own prong of America’s “Twin Axis” strategy, it makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
MacArthur is clearly one of the most talented and successful soldiers ever produced by the United States. He is also immensely troubling. No one gets to the highest military ranks without some understanding of political machinations. MacArthur, though, inserted himself into ongoing domestic politics while serving in uniform, overtly defying article one, section two, clause one of the United States Constitution. MacArthur’s refusal to read this single sentence would eventually lead to his firing and disgrace in Korea. During the Second World War, it was simply unseemly and disrespectful. Unsurprisingly, given his temperament, Nimitz did not treat the war as a steppingstone to the presidency, or as some massive career opportunity meant to edify his ego.
***
None of this is to say that Nimitz was perfect. As Symonds points out, Nimitz had no problems with a racially segregated Navy, and saw no use for women in the service, meaning that he had a major blind spot when it came to fully utilizing available talent.
Nimitz also had a blind spot for Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, who Symonds criticizes frequently. Though he provided an early bump to civilian morale, Halsey came down with a skin condition before the turning tide at Midway. When he rejoined the fight, he nearly caused a major disaster at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, then sailed unprepared into not one, but two different typhoons. The losses from those storms – as Symonds stresses – amount to two extremely lopsided naval defeats, given that U.S. ships sank without delivering any blows to the Japanese. Despite Halsey’s blunders, he was good with a quote and popular with the press, and Nimitz protected him to the point that he allowed Halsey to share arguably the most powerful naval fleet in history with the far more competent Raymond Spruance.
***
For a layperson, it can be difficult to conceptualize Nimitz’s accomplishments. He did not position himself at the front line, matching an opponent in actual battle while bombs whistled and torpedoes sped through the water and men screamed and died around him. Instead, he helped to draw up the overall mission, put the right people in place, and then let them complete their tasks without his interference.
Because he is writing for a general audience, Symonds doesn’t get deep into the day-to-day staff work that took up Nimitz’s waking hours. Yet he does a wonderful job evoking Nimitz’s qualities: his equanimity with both prickly superiors and headstrong subordinates; his grasp of operational concepts, and a knack for getting people to achieve them; his embrace of comprehensive training programs; and his nerveless willingness to gamble big when the opportunities arose.
These traits allowed him to take a battered U.S. Pacific Fleet from a few outnumbered task forces desperately trading carriers for time, to the ultimate force projector in the world.
- Craig Symonds, Nimitz at War: Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay
At the time of the 1941 air raid on Pearl Harbor, the commander of United States Naval Forces in the Pacific was an admiral named Husband Kimmel. Not surprisingly – given that Pearl Harbor was one of the greatest disasters in American military history – Admiral Kimmel soon found himself out of a job.
Ever since, there has been a low-key movement to rehabilitate Admiral Kimmel’s reputation. Part of this has been motivated by a desire to damage President Franklin Roosevelt, who has been accused of knowing in advance about the Japanese assault, and withholding valuable information. Others, however, including Kimmel’s family, have more genuine motivations in attempting to rectify what they perceive as a historical wrong. Kimmel, they argue, has been made a scapegoat for a whole chain of errors, with only some of the links attributable to him.
Whatever the reasons, the campaign has never really gained any traction. The reason, I believe, is that the man who took Admiral Kimmel’s job turned out to be one of this nation’s greatest commanders.
That man – Admiral Chester Nimitz – is the subject of Craig Symonds’s aptly titled Nimitz at War.
***
As the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and also the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas, Nimitz had a massive responsibility analogous to that of Dwight D. Eisenhower in Europe, but over a much wider area with far greater logistical challenges. A deliberative, unflashy man whose exterior belied a go-for-the-throat mentality, Nimitz belongs in consideration as one of the indispensable men of the Second World War.
In keeping with its no-nonsense title and straight-down-the-middle approach, Nimitz at War unfolds in a strictly chronological fashion. It begins with Nimitz en route to Hawaii, where he will take charge of the battered Pacific Fleet, much of it sunk at its moorings, and ends with his participation in the Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. This is not, by any means, a true biography of the soft-spoken Texan with the snow white hair and missing left ring finger. Of course, Symonds makes reference to Nimitz’s past, especially as it impacted his demeanor and decisions. But if you want to follow the man from bassinet to boneyard, you will have to look elsewhere (Symonds himself recommends E.B. Potter’s Nimitz).
Between the bookends of Pearl Harbor and Japan’s capitulation, Symonds takes us through the Pacific War, as seen from Nimitz’s perspective, and analyzed based on Nimitz’s contributions. Symonds does a fine job of setting the stage of the various battles fought on Nimitz’s watch, but because Nimitz was not personally involved in combat, tactical discussions are – with some exceptions – kept to a minimum. Thus, if you aren’t already familiar with the heavyweight clash between the United States Navy and the Imperial Navy of Japan, you will likely want to read an overview or two before grabbing this one. There are numerous recent, excellent volumes on this struggle, including Symonds’s own World War II at Sea.
***
You will probably not find yourself copying down Symonds’s prose in your diary, and then reading it aloud in the darkness of the night before drifting off to sleep. At least, I never found myself doing this. I don’t mean this to sound churlish. It’s just that there are a lot of superb author-historians who have tackled this subject matter, and who have brought more vim and vigor to the proceedings.
With that said, Symonds is incredibly accessible, combining a gift for storytelling with an ability to seamlessly integrate more in-depth discussions into the narrative, without breaking the flow. Readability is an underrated virtue, mainly because it’s not something you think about if a book is ably constructed. Having read more than my share of history books, I can fairly say that not every well-educated professor has Symonds’s talent for writing in a manner that doesn’t call attention to itself, because the mechanisms are working as designed.
***
It should not spoil anything to say that Symonds believes Nimitz to have been pretty damn good at his job. Certainly, you cannot argue with the results.
According to Symonds, Nimitz was not a brilliant master of strategy – however that might be defined – yet had many other attributes just as important. He had a Lincolnesque ability to take the advice of many, while also sticking to his own gut instincts. He used humor to diminish tension and make a point, and often gave subordinates second chances in different jobs, matching talent to task. He was a considered risk-taker, refusing to plunge off a cliff without checking the water’s depth, but definitely willing to leap once he received intelligence estimates that he wouldn’t break his neck. The best example of this is the Battle of Midway, in which Nimitz okayed an ambush of Admiral Yamamoto’s massive invasion force based on Joseph Rochefort’s cryptographic breakthroughs.
Though it is never explicit, Symonds subtly compares Nimitz to General Douglas MacArthur. As each was in charge of his own prong of America’s “Twin Axis” strategy, it makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
MacArthur is clearly one of the most talented and successful soldiers ever produced by the United States. He is also immensely troubling. No one gets to the highest military ranks without some understanding of political machinations. MacArthur, though, inserted himself into ongoing domestic politics while serving in uniform, overtly defying article one, section two, clause one of the United States Constitution. MacArthur’s refusal to read this single sentence would eventually lead to his firing and disgrace in Korea. During the Second World War, it was simply unseemly and disrespectful. Unsurprisingly, given his temperament, Nimitz did not treat the war as a steppingstone to the presidency, or as some massive career opportunity meant to edify his ego.
***
None of this is to say that Nimitz was perfect. As Symonds points out, Nimitz had no problems with a racially segregated Navy, and saw no use for women in the service, meaning that he had a major blind spot when it came to fully utilizing available talent.
Nimitz also had a blind spot for Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, who Symonds criticizes frequently. Though he provided an early bump to civilian morale, Halsey came down with a skin condition before the turning tide at Midway. When he rejoined the fight, he nearly caused a major disaster at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, then sailed unprepared into not one, but two different typhoons. The losses from those storms – as Symonds stresses – amount to two extremely lopsided naval defeats, given that U.S. ships sank without delivering any blows to the Japanese. Despite Halsey’s blunders, he was good with a quote and popular with the press, and Nimitz protected him to the point that he allowed Halsey to share arguably the most powerful naval fleet in history with the far more competent Raymond Spruance.
***
For a layperson, it can be difficult to conceptualize Nimitz’s accomplishments. He did not position himself at the front line, matching an opponent in actual battle while bombs whistled and torpedoes sped through the water and men screamed and died around him. Instead, he helped to draw up the overall mission, put the right people in place, and then let them complete their tasks without his interference.
Because he is writing for a general audience, Symonds doesn’t get deep into the day-to-day staff work that took up Nimitz’s waking hours. Yet he does a wonderful job evoking Nimitz’s qualities: his equanimity with both prickly superiors and headstrong subordinates; his grasp of operational concepts, and a knack for getting people to achieve them; his embrace of comprehensive training programs; and his nerveless willingness to gamble big when the opportunities arose.
These traits allowed him to take a battered U.S. Pacific Fleet from a few outnumbered task forces desperately trading carriers for time, to the ultimate force projector in the world.
December 14, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have read everything I can about Chester Nimitz over the years. This book technically is not a biography as it only covers one item about Nimitz, his leadership skills.
Nimitz was Commander In-Charge of the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Ocean Areas from 1941 to 1945. He had a difficult job implementing General George Marshall’s strategic plan for the war on Japan. Adding to his challenges were two difficult men, his boss, Admiral Ernest J. King, and the Army Pacific Theatre Commander, the egocentric General Douglas MacArthur. Nimitz’ leadership skills were on full display in leading his mercurial admirals such as Halsey, McCain, Mitscher, Fletcher and the methodical Spruance.
If you are interested in learning more about Nimitz, I recommend “Nimitz by E. V. Potter, 1976 and “Admiral Nimitz, The Commander of the Pacific Ocean Theatre” by Brayton Harris, 2012.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and twenty-six hours. L. J. Ganser does an excellent job narrating the book.
Nimitz was Commander In-Charge of the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Ocean Areas from 1941 to 1945. He had a difficult job implementing General George Marshall’s strategic plan for the war on Japan. Adding to his challenges were two difficult men, his boss, Admiral Ernest J. King, and the Army Pacific Theatre Commander, the egocentric General Douglas MacArthur. Nimitz’ leadership skills were on full display in leading his mercurial admirals such as Halsey, McCain, Mitscher, Fletcher and the methodical Spruance.
If you are interested in learning more about Nimitz, I recommend “Nimitz by E. V. Potter, 1976 and “Admiral Nimitz, The Commander of the Pacific Ocean Theatre” by Brayton Harris, 2012.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and twenty-six hours. L. J. Ganser does an excellent job narrating the book.
August 16, 2025
Steady at the Wheel
Craig L. Symonds has proven himself to be an excellent WWII military historian specialising in the naval operations of the Pacific Theatre. Therefore it is with great pleasure that he has written this book on Chester Nimitz, the US Pacific Fleet Commander. The first of its kind in around 50 years, there has been fresh archival material released which has allowed Symonds to really delve deeper into this rather calm and straightforward man. Symonds has also had the pleasure of reviewing the Graybook, as called by its cover. This is Nimitz’s war diary, which is absolutely invaluable in any study of the Pacific War. The book is concentrated from the years 1941-1945. From his appointment after Pearl Harbour to achieving victory over a vanquished nation.
Nimitz was perhaps lucky when he initially rejected the job of Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT), which went to Husband E. Kimmel, however was selected by FDR 10 days after the attack of Pearl Harbour following Kinmel’s dismissal. As Nimitz adroitly noted, that could very easily have been him. He was quick off the mark and displayed exceptional judgment in the pushing for and buildup to the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Initially dismissed by his superior Ernest J. King, he became an excellent leader and strategist, winning huge battles against the odds. Something other allied commanders would salivate over. Throughout the was he made only one critical mistake, the invasion of the island of Peleliu, which his subordinates had urged him to cancel. In other areas he got it right, for example pushing his men to adopt new technology such as radar and tactics such as the Combat Information Centre, that it was subsequently adopted in every major warship.
As Symonds explains, Nimitz did have his faults. He was definitely a product of his time and thought that women serving in the forces, even in Hawaii would ‘distract the men’. Another unfortunate legacy is his lack of trust of black servicemen. Born in America in 1885, this point of view can be understood even though we do not agree with this outlook today. Symonds also touches on his life on either side of the war, his beginnings as a submariner, his wife, children and unsettled retirement. I think Symonds does a great job providing the reader with a full picture of the man, whilst being able to concentrate on the most important and fascinating part of his life. Nimitz was a great admiral and always acting in a way that he thought was right. Symonds is clearly a fan of him and if I had to pick a negative of this book I would suggest that he offers little to no criticism of him, other than the points I have mentioned above. That being said Nimitz was an important player in the Pacific War and this is a great book to understand him.
Craig L. Symonds has proven himself to be an excellent WWII military historian specialising in the naval operations of the Pacific Theatre. Therefore it is with great pleasure that he has written this book on Chester Nimitz, the US Pacific Fleet Commander. The first of its kind in around 50 years, there has been fresh archival material released which has allowed Symonds to really delve deeper into this rather calm and straightforward man. Symonds has also had the pleasure of reviewing the Graybook, as called by its cover. This is Nimitz’s war diary, which is absolutely invaluable in any study of the Pacific War. The book is concentrated from the years 1941-1945. From his appointment after Pearl Harbour to achieving victory over a vanquished nation.
Nimitz was perhaps lucky when he initially rejected the job of Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT), which went to Husband E. Kimmel, however was selected by FDR 10 days after the attack of Pearl Harbour following Kinmel’s dismissal. As Nimitz adroitly noted, that could very easily have been him. He was quick off the mark and displayed exceptional judgment in the pushing for and buildup to the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Initially dismissed by his superior Ernest J. King, he became an excellent leader and strategist, winning huge battles against the odds. Something other allied commanders would salivate over. Throughout the was he made only one critical mistake, the invasion of the island of Peleliu, which his subordinates had urged him to cancel. In other areas he got it right, for example pushing his men to adopt new technology such as radar and tactics such as the Combat Information Centre, that it was subsequently adopted in every major warship.
As Symonds explains, Nimitz did have his faults. He was definitely a product of his time and thought that women serving in the forces, even in Hawaii would ‘distract the men’. Another unfortunate legacy is his lack of trust of black servicemen. Born in America in 1885, this point of view can be understood even though we do not agree with this outlook today. Symonds also touches on his life on either side of the war, his beginnings as a submariner, his wife, children and unsettled retirement. I think Symonds does a great job providing the reader with a full picture of the man, whilst being able to concentrate on the most important and fascinating part of his life. Nimitz was a great admiral and always acting in a way that he thought was right. Symonds is clearly a fan of him and if I had to pick a negative of this book I would suggest that he offers little to no criticism of him, other than the points I have mentioned above. That being said Nimitz was an important player in the Pacific War and this is a great book to understand him.
June 8, 2023
Craig L. Symonds provides an in-depth examination of the leadership and strategic decisions made by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz during his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II. It delves into Nimitz's leadership style, his relationships with other military commanders, and his management of the complex naval operations in the Pacific.
"Nimitz at War" provides insights into Nimitz's decision-making process, his ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and his strategic vision in leading the United States to victory in the Pacific. It also sheds light on the challenges he faced, such as logistical issues, intelligence gathering, and coordinating the efforts of different branches of the military with such hotheads as Ernest J. King and MacArthur.
Craig L. Symonds is the American Max Hastings with his talent for presenting complex historical narratives in a clear and accessible manner.
"Nimitz at War" provides insights into Nimitz's decision-making process, his ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and his strategic vision in leading the United States to victory in the Pacific. It also sheds light on the challenges he faced, such as logistical issues, intelligence gathering, and coordinating the efforts of different branches of the military with such hotheads as Ernest J. King and MacArthur.
Craig L. Symonds is the American Max Hastings with his talent for presenting complex historical narratives in a clear and accessible manner.
June 29, 2025
Laconic and focused in a manner perfectly attuned to its subject, Admiral Nimitz. It’s a pitch perfect look at one of warfare’s finest models of command. RIP, sir.
January 17, 2023
Mr. Symonds well documented his account of Admiral Chester Nimitz's years as Leader in the USN Pacific Theater during World War Two.
Something of note that I was unfamiliar with, before reading this book about Nimitz, was his previous years as a Submariner. I was a surface sailor; and the term we used to describe Submarine Sailors was "Bubblehead."
Evidently, also, Nimitz possessed a wit similar to that of Abe Lincoln. One example of Admiral Nimitz's sense of humor goes as follows: "It seems there were two men in a hotel, perhaps a hotel like this one, who found themselves pacing back and forth in the hallway, each of them obviously conflicted by a difficult problem. Back and forth they walked, passing each other frequently. Finally one stopped and asked the other what problem he was dealing with. The man replied that he was a doctor and he had a patient in one of the rooms who had a wooden leg that needed to be attached. Alas, the wooden leg had come apart, and the doctor could not figure out how to put the leg together. "Great guns! "the other man replied. One leg apart? That wasn't a problem. "I have a good looking gal in my room with both legs apart and I can't remember the room number."
Something of note that I was unfamiliar with, before reading this book about Nimitz, was his previous years as a Submariner. I was a surface sailor; and the term we used to describe Submarine Sailors was "Bubblehead."
Evidently, also, Nimitz possessed a wit similar to that of Abe Lincoln. One example of Admiral Nimitz's sense of humor goes as follows: "It seems there were two men in a hotel, perhaps a hotel like this one, who found themselves pacing back and forth in the hallway, each of them obviously conflicted by a difficult problem. Back and forth they walked, passing each other frequently. Finally one stopped and asked the other what problem he was dealing with. The man replied that he was a doctor and he had a patient in one of the rooms who had a wooden leg that needed to be attached. Alas, the wooden leg had come apart, and the doctor could not figure out how to put the leg together. "Great guns! "the other man replied. One leg apart? That wasn't a problem. "I have a good looking gal in my room with both legs apart and I can't remember the room number."
June 24, 2022
Nimitz is (was) arguably the most under-appreciated figure from WWII – he was instrumental in the successful campaign against Japan, and one of those uniquely relevant historical figures, the perfect man in the perfect place at the perfect time to affect the course of human history (as was Churchill!). And yet, the recognition due his time in command is lacking, certainly in the popular mind. Part of this may be the fact that he declined to write a memoir – he was confident in the correctness of his actions, and his decisions, and was content to let history judge his efforts without him putting a thumb on the scale. He may be the only major figure out of WWII to eschew the opportunity to tell his side of the story from his perspective with the underlying intent of making himself look as good as possible in the eyes of posterity.... that alone is illustrative of his extraordinary status and personal confidence. Even Churchill felt it necessary to “write history” in such a way as to make himself look even better than perhaps was warranted.
Nimitz was a leader in the Eisenhower mold – spending as much time greasing the gears of inter-service cooperation as he did the actual nuts and bolts of running the war. His decision-making and leadership were exceptional, and Symonds captures that. His ability to engage with and incorporate disparate egos, rivalries and command sensitivities was amazing, and essential to the war effort. As with so many huge, historically significant human undertakings, human nature always intrudes – and never in a way conducive to the efficient attainment of desirable or necessary goals. Nimitz juggled and manipulated and facilitated them all, for the ultimate sake of victory over Japan. Eisenhower did the same, although he had an even bigger chore given the necessity for him to manage conflicting international allies in addition to inter-service rivalries and assorted egos.
Symonds captures it all – explains it all. He gifts the reader with an intimate, perceptive and in-depth exposure to the issues, the personalities, and the command environment fostered by Nimitz and its consequences to the conduct of the war. This is a superb history – part biographical, part leadership and command oriented, and largely personality driven. Nimitz deserves far more recognition than he has been given... he was the indispensable man in the single most critical post of the war in the Pacific. Symonds gives him his due credit – and the book is totally engaging, often revelatory, inspiring and gratifying.... a must read as much for what you will learn about Chester Nimitz as what you will learn about his contemporaries in the Pacific campaigns!
Nimitz was a leader in the Eisenhower mold – spending as much time greasing the gears of inter-service cooperation as he did the actual nuts and bolts of running the war. His decision-making and leadership were exceptional, and Symonds captures that. His ability to engage with and incorporate disparate egos, rivalries and command sensitivities was amazing, and essential to the war effort. As with so many huge, historically significant human undertakings, human nature always intrudes – and never in a way conducive to the efficient attainment of desirable or necessary goals. Nimitz juggled and manipulated and facilitated them all, for the ultimate sake of victory over Japan. Eisenhower did the same, although he had an even bigger chore given the necessity for him to manage conflicting international allies in addition to inter-service rivalries and assorted egos.
Symonds captures it all – explains it all. He gifts the reader with an intimate, perceptive and in-depth exposure to the issues, the personalities, and the command environment fostered by Nimitz and its consequences to the conduct of the war. This is a superb history – part biographical, part leadership and command oriented, and largely personality driven. Nimitz deserves far more recognition than he has been given... he was the indispensable man in the single most critical post of the war in the Pacific. Symonds gives him his due credit – and the book is totally engaging, often revelatory, inspiring and gratifying.... a must read as much for what you will learn about Chester Nimitz as what you will learn about his contemporaries in the Pacific campaigns!
August 12, 2025
This biography of Nimitz by a naval historian at Annapolis, was recommended by my Dad. I read his copy. It focuses on Nimitz’s appointment to command of the US Navy, Pacific Theater, from after Pearl Harbor, 1941 through the end of the war in 1945, about 4 years.
Nimitz was the right man, at the right time, in the right position. He was not egotistical, did not second guess his lieutenants, treated his subordinates, and everyone, with respect, did not micromanage and rarely lost his temper. By his own admission, he could tolerate stubborn people, and he could tolerate stupid people, but he would not put up with someone who was both stubborn and stupid.
He managed to put up with that prima donna Gen. Douglas McArthur for the entire war. Boy, was that guy an egotistical pain-in-the.
Coverage of the naval battles is adequate, but not detailed blow-by-blow, so if that is what you enjoy, you may be disappointed. There is more focus on strategy discussions and personnel and materiel management, which is interesting in its own way, and essential for the successful prosecution of any war.
Nimitz had some good people under him, including the codebreakers at Pearl, who he sadly was not able to defend enough to the know-it-alls back in Washington, and Halsey, who was a bit of a loose cannon, but whose fighting spirit was what the doctor ordered. Spruance and Mitchner were also good and treated well by Nimitz.
He was a good commander, and a decent man. RIP, Admiral.
Nimitz was the right man, at the right time, in the right position. He was not egotistical, did not second guess his lieutenants, treated his subordinates, and everyone, with respect, did not micromanage and rarely lost his temper. By his own admission, he could tolerate stubborn people, and he could tolerate stupid people, but he would not put up with someone who was both stubborn and stupid.
He managed to put up with that prima donna Gen. Douglas McArthur for the entire war. Boy, was that guy an egotistical pain-in-the.
Coverage of the naval battles is adequate, but not detailed blow-by-blow, so if that is what you enjoy, you may be disappointed. There is more focus on strategy discussions and personnel and materiel management, which is interesting in its own way, and essential for the successful prosecution of any war.
Nimitz had some good people under him, including the codebreakers at Pearl, who he sadly was not able to defend enough to the know-it-alls back in Washington, and Halsey, who was a bit of a loose cannon, but whose fighting spirit was what the doctor ordered. Spruance and Mitchner were also good and treated well by Nimitz.
He was a good commander, and a decent man. RIP, Admiral.
August 8, 2022
An interesting perspective on the a pacific portion of WWII. A reminder that even in war (maybe especially in war) personnel issues arise and must be dealt with. Almost need an organization flow chart with boxes and arrows showing who worked for whom and when and where they were transferred. (Many many reassignments) And yet again the bloody price paid to win this war not just by the US but also her Allies. I cannot remember any reference to Chinas civilian fatalities in hs history. But they were staggering.
And in this book sometimes the price paid was summarized as number of ships lost with no reference to the number of lives lost with them.
And in this book sometimes the price paid was summarized as number of ships lost with no reference to the number of lives lost with them.
November 13, 2022
This has been an enjoyable read.
I'm not sure if I really learned anything new about Nimitz or the cast of characters around him, but it was well written and very enjoyable.
After reading a large number of Pulitzer Prize winning histories and biographies, I've come up with a hypothesis. One cannot win a Pulitzer without using the word indefatigable. I often joke that when I see that word in print that the author was attempting to get their book qualified for the award.
Symonds used the word at least twice. The first time was in the preface wherein he thanked the research librarians for indefatigably assisting him with his research during COVID. The second time was when describing Eleanor Roosevelt.
So that being said, was this a Pulitzer Prize winning book?
The writing is there, but the subject matter is not. If you are not familiar with Nimitz or the War in the Pacific this is an excellent overview. While some of the material is new, Symonds doesn't fundamentally change or challenge the way that Nimitz or the war are viewed.
I'm not sure if I really learned anything new about Nimitz or the cast of characters around him, but it was well written and very enjoyable.
After reading a large number of Pulitzer Prize winning histories and biographies, I've come up with a hypothesis. One cannot win a Pulitzer without using the word indefatigable. I often joke that when I see that word in print that the author was attempting to get their book qualified for the award.
Symonds used the word at least twice. The first time was in the preface wherein he thanked the research librarians for indefatigably assisting him with his research during COVID. The second time was when describing Eleanor Roosevelt.
So that being said, was this a Pulitzer Prize winning book?
The writing is there, but the subject matter is not. If you are not familiar with Nimitz or the War in the Pacific this is an excellent overview. While some of the material is new, Symonds doesn't fundamentally change or challenge the way that Nimitz or the war are viewed.
June 10, 2022
I don’t have a way with words nor am I creative when it comes to writing reviews. However I thought this book was fantastic. Not very long, but full of great info and flows wonderfully. Highly recommend for anyone from the serious history buff to someone who just enjoys casual military history or has a interest in the subject!
January 29, 2024
One of the best books I have read in quite some time. A wartime biography of Chester Nimitz that also is a character study, leadership study, and overview of the history of the war in the Pacific. Very well-written and I enjoyed every page.
November 1, 2024
It is only fair to judge Professor Craig Symonds Nimit at War with the understanding that the professor is a historian. Too often professional historians are expected to write like novelists or journalists. Oddly there is no parallel expectation for degreed chemists or other highly skilled professionals. The professor is not primarily a story teller. He is an analyst with major credits for his contributions to studies of WWII and especially war at sea. Nimitz at War is a focused study of the performance of one of the Great Admirals of history. The man at the center of decision making for the vast Central Pacif Theater, along with the burdens of balancing between very public and political figures like fellow and subordinate Admiral Halsey and technically senior officer General MacArthur. Elsewhere one can learn of the path Admiral Nimitz followed to reach this very high level of command, in this book we are only going to see how he applied his tools.
For example, Admiral Nimitz was very leery of the press and cost himself and his command early public support by his relative inability to understand the many issues related to serving the public right to know, the ways of the press and the balance in PR as a senior Navy commander and a loyal supported of the presidency. At this same time his primary problem was that of challenging the then far superior power of the Japanese Imperial Military. Given his absolute inferiority in combat ships, and the particular inferiority of particular weapons; torpedoes, fighter aircraft and etcetera, and the fact that successful peace time commanders needed to be reassessed and reassigned under the pressures of wartime command, Nimitz was from the beginning the center of the American Pacific Storm.
Having made the case that this kind of focused study proves the need for such a book, several component questions help to document what the author has accomplished.
Overall, the Professor provides little new about the events of the pacific theater. We get some additional information about personalities and a number of indications as to who and what Admiral Nimitz found useful and who and what made of themselves challenges. It is impressed that a major contribution the Admiral made was to act as a buffer between the heavier hand of his immediate superior Admiral King and the often highly sensitive feeling of commanders in the field. Simply by keeping his cool and projecting confidence, Admiral Nimitz helped to keep his assigned leaders on task attention centered on the immediate mission. Given the intensity and stakes that attended his decisions, and his projected calm, it becomes important to know he was just as focused on maintaining a personal regime allowing for time away from command and attention to his physical health. Navy men of the time tended to be drinkers and proud of it. Nimitz would on occasion indulge, but never to excess and rarely to more than light social drinking. He was physically fit and in his near daily time out for walks and swims his was a challenge to many much younger officers.
There are moments in Nimitz at War when one feels to be a fly on the wall. This happens without reversion to invented conversation and with warning where the writer is depending on his trained opinion with or without complete documentation.
The late Admiral Rickover was very cynical at the notion that leadership is something that can be taught. He may be right that one either is or is not a born leader. The argument is wrong. The question is can one learn from examples. Nimitz at War is a fine study for those wishing to learn about the specifics of high-level command decisions in America’s War in the pacific. It is also a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to learn about being a better leader.
For example, Admiral Nimitz was very leery of the press and cost himself and his command early public support by his relative inability to understand the many issues related to serving the public right to know, the ways of the press and the balance in PR as a senior Navy commander and a loyal supported of the presidency. At this same time his primary problem was that of challenging the then far superior power of the Japanese Imperial Military. Given his absolute inferiority in combat ships, and the particular inferiority of particular weapons; torpedoes, fighter aircraft and etcetera, and the fact that successful peace time commanders needed to be reassessed and reassigned under the pressures of wartime command, Nimitz was from the beginning the center of the American Pacific Storm.
Having made the case that this kind of focused study proves the need for such a book, several component questions help to document what the author has accomplished.
Overall, the Professor provides little new about the events of the pacific theater. We get some additional information about personalities and a number of indications as to who and what Admiral Nimitz found useful and who and what made of themselves challenges. It is impressed that a major contribution the Admiral made was to act as a buffer between the heavier hand of his immediate superior Admiral King and the often highly sensitive feeling of commanders in the field. Simply by keeping his cool and projecting confidence, Admiral Nimitz helped to keep his assigned leaders on task attention centered on the immediate mission. Given the intensity and stakes that attended his decisions, and his projected calm, it becomes important to know he was just as focused on maintaining a personal regime allowing for time away from command and attention to his physical health. Navy men of the time tended to be drinkers and proud of it. Nimitz would on occasion indulge, but never to excess and rarely to more than light social drinking. He was physically fit and in his near daily time out for walks and swims his was a challenge to many much younger officers.
There are moments in Nimitz at War when one feels to be a fly on the wall. This happens without reversion to invented conversation and with warning where the writer is depending on his trained opinion with or without complete documentation.
The late Admiral Rickover was very cynical at the notion that leadership is something that can be taught. He may be right that one either is or is not a born leader. The argument is wrong. The question is can one learn from examples. Nimitz at War is a fine study for those wishing to learn about the specifics of high-level command decisions in America’s War in the pacific. It is also a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to learn about being a better leader.
December 28, 2022
This book snuck under my radar initially as I've been a fan of all of Symond's books so far but hadn't heard about it until it was out for a month. I also had a bit of Pacific War fatigue, but I didn't want to let this one pass me by. This is a great book if you are looking for complementary reference and a solid documentary on THEE Chester Nimitz. I knew he was not a bigger then life figure like MacArthur, but had a quiet dignity and was widely respected. What intrigued me about him was juggling that personality while also project managing one of the largest operations in human history. This is where the book excels. When the book focuses solely on Nimitz and his relationships, his letters home, and his personal life it's very good. When it strays into heavy context around the conflict itself I tended to lose a bit on interest because then I felt that Nimitz was a bit tacked on to the story as a whole. With that said Symond's is still a master historical writer and I'm giving this book a excellent grade. Anyone who wants to learn about Nimitz can't go wrong here, and anyone interested in the Pacific definitely would further deepen their education on this topic as well.
June 16, 2022
I am an avid reader of WWII history both real and fiction based upon structural facts. This is one of the best. Adm Nimitz in this book comes across as one of those "once in a lifetime" individuals who when called upon fits the bill to a "T". His command principles were perfect to the cause. He had excellent subordinates and he played their strengths and weaknesses like a well-tuned violin. He seemed to know when to use these fine officers and let them run while at the same time tempering actions when necessary. As I have a grandson now serving in the US Marines I was particularly interested in the authors description of Gen Smith's almost reckless use of Army troops and who then criticized them as cowards. Gen Smith comes across in this history as an incompetent. Combat leaders who lead from behind have no place leading men to their deaths. And then to criticize them is abhorrent. The tableaus depicting the sometimes disconnect between Gen Macarthur and Adm Nimitz is well done. All in all an excellent history read.
September 25, 2022
Fantastic book on leadership. How to deal with pushy superiors , inter service rivalry, and tough opinionated sub-ordinates, all the while commanding one of the largest military theaters in history. If you are looking for a detailed description of the Pacific war in world war II.,there are numerous books that get into the strategic and tactical questions in much greater detail. This books focus is leadership and dealing with others. Its principles apply not just to the military but to all facets of leadership. Actually, I think all leaders, political leaders especially, from the President on down should read the book and learn some basic but essential leadership principles.
July 23, 2022
A first-rate history of Adm Nimitz and his importance to the Allied victory over Japan in WWII.
August 14, 2023
An objective and positive evaluation of Chester Nimitz as CINCPAC during WWII. Such a contrast from the egotistical MacArthur. Just a superlative talent for bringing diverse skills and personalities to achieve goals and work together. Nimitz had his hands full with peers and subordinates but his boss, Ernest King, was one tough SOB who had reservations that Nimitz wasn’t tough enough. King was a tough taskmaster and alienated many with his blunt demeanor. Like Eisenhower in the European Theater Nimitz was the accommodator and conciliator in the Pacific Theater but he wasn’t reluctant to assert his authority and override his staff. Symonds renders Nimitz human and a superior calculator of risk. Just amazing to see how Nimitz coped with all the daily information and inordinate demands on his time. And of course who did King pick to replace him- Nimitz.
May 5, 2023
An incredibly well researched and written account of one of the most underrated leaders in American history. Admiral Nimitz was constantly in between tumultuous forces beyond his control that gave every reason for America to not succeed in the pacific theater. And yet he did. With stoic reservation, patience, encouragement, and genuine support for those under his command Admiral Nimitz found a way to help America win the war, and set a tremendous example in leadership. I highly recommend this for any leadership book readers or military history buffs. I’ve long been a fan of Nimitz and this is the best account I’ve ever read of his.
July 6, 2024
A very thorough account of the Pacific portion of WWII pertaining to Naval operations as directed by Admiral Chester Nimitz. The book begins with Pearl Harbor and comes to a close during the surrender on the Missouri. The author does a great job of providing an account of the battles and operations directed by Nimitz; however, the book seemed a bit rushed in the last year of the war. The author also has his favorites and those that he does not care for which becomes evident throughout. I was happy with the book and would recommend to those wanting to learn more about the Pacific based naval battles and strategy of WWII.
September 16, 2023
This was an enjoyable and spell-binding read. I now have a greater appreciation for the Pacific War and the command leadership exhibited by Chester Nimitz. Symonds paints Nimitz as a skilled influencer of people, as well as a calm, steady person with the flexibility to take calculated risks when opportunities arose. His ability to wrangle so many larger-than-life personalities and diplomatically maneuver through or around inter-service landmines while overseeing overall strategic decisions in the theater mark him as one of America’s finest military leaders.
November 28, 2024
Great book about a humble man
As for names like Patton, Eisenhower, and McCarthur Nimitz was a man who stayed out of the spot light unlike them. And his leadership can be equivalent to that of Ike’s.
As for names like Patton, Eisenhower, and McCarthur Nimitz was a man who stayed out of the spot light unlike them. And his leadership can be equivalent to that of Ike’s.
May 7, 2023
Great book! If you already have a good understanding of the WW2 in the Pacific then it enhances it greatly.
November 18, 2025
An excellent book, by probably the most qualified person on earth now to write about Nimitz. Highly recommend.
April 14, 2025
For students of the Pacific war, this was a great resource. Focusing solely on his wartime decision-making and life, it's very detailed. There are so many anecdotes I've never read before and details surrounding events that I thought I understood. It's obviously incredibly well-researched.
August 20, 2025
Excellent. I will be reading more of Symonds' books!
November 28, 2022
A "must book" for any historian working on thew Pacific. Much new, (to Me) information contained in this work. Symonds writes in a flowing style, easy to read and follow. A much needed work for any navy readers. I especially liked the face-to-face confrontation Nimitz and MacArthur on the invasion of Japan. Too bad others did not do before. Maybe Truman learned from Nimitz. An enjoyable book for me.
November 18, 2022
I finished Craig Symonds, Nimitz At War: Command Leadership From Pearl Harbor To Tokyo Bay. A short but outstanding history which details the command and leadership style of Admiral Chester Nimitz.
Not a detailed military history of the either the naval or land war but a history of Nimitz leadership style. At first thought by CNO Ernest J. King to be to much of a conciliatory in his leadership style to make the tough and necessary decisions needed of a theater commander he won him over and after the war King endorsed Nimitz as the most qualified man to take over as CNO.
Largely a man who quietly led but was firm in conviction and after getting all available information and input from his gifted team of subordinates which included a wide variety of individuals including Ray Spruance, William “Bull” Halsey, Marine General Holland “Howlin Mad” Smith, Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, Army General Robert C. Richardson, and Admiral Charles Lockwood in charge of the submarine forces under Nimitz, but in the end a man who was confident to make his own decision even when in conflict with his subordinates. Able to work with General Douglas MacArthur, a true testament to his leadership style.
A wonderful short history coming in at 396 pages. A definite must read.
Not a detailed military history of the either the naval or land war but a history of Nimitz leadership style. At first thought by CNO Ernest J. King to be to much of a conciliatory in his leadership style to make the tough and necessary decisions needed of a theater commander he won him over and after the war King endorsed Nimitz as the most qualified man to take over as CNO.
Largely a man who quietly led but was firm in conviction and after getting all available information and input from his gifted team of subordinates which included a wide variety of individuals including Ray Spruance, William “Bull” Halsey, Marine General Holland “Howlin Mad” Smith, Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, Army General Robert C. Richardson, and Admiral Charles Lockwood in charge of the submarine forces under Nimitz, but in the end a man who was confident to make his own decision even when in conflict with his subordinates. Able to work with General Douglas MacArthur, a true testament to his leadership style.
A wonderful short history coming in at 396 pages. A definite must read.
August 27, 2022
Nimitz at War: Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay
Craig L. Symonds
There are certain historical luminaries who receive repeated attention in biographies or histories, The Founding Fathers, Presidents, Military Commanders such as Admiral Nimitz.
If you are a history fan, you find yourself reading basically the same narrative by different authors, who attempt but fail to shed new light on their subject.
That is not the case with Professor Symonds. I have read the major biographies about his life, and several histories in which he necessarily played an ancillary role.
Symonds did not attempt to tell Admiral Nimitz’ entire inspirational story, thankfully.
With his extensive background, his military experience and talented prose, Professor Symonds brings to life the most important phase out of an important life. The time between President FDR telling Nimitz to get out to the Pacific and not come back til the war is won to finessing who’s battle flag will fly atop the Battleship Missouri while the Japanese surrender.
Symonds does a magnificent job describing how Nimitz managed relationships with non-nonsense hard-asses and domineering egotists, people who didn’t think he deserved his job to the flat squirrels of life who couldn’t make a decision.
Symond shows you how a stoic Texan handles all that, getting all those diverse people to pull in the same direction while coordinating the largest Navy, the largest war effort, in human history.
Whether you’re just a history buff, or you are in the military and business and could use some leadership tip, here ya go.
Craig L. Symonds
There are certain historical luminaries who receive repeated attention in biographies or histories, The Founding Fathers, Presidents, Military Commanders such as Admiral Nimitz.
If you are a history fan, you find yourself reading basically the same narrative by different authors, who attempt but fail to shed new light on their subject.
That is not the case with Professor Symonds. I have read the major biographies about his life, and several histories in which he necessarily played an ancillary role.
Symonds did not attempt to tell Admiral Nimitz’ entire inspirational story, thankfully.
With his extensive background, his military experience and talented prose, Professor Symonds brings to life the most important phase out of an important life. The time between President FDR telling Nimitz to get out to the Pacific and not come back til the war is won to finessing who’s battle flag will fly atop the Battleship Missouri while the Japanese surrender.
Symonds does a magnificent job describing how Nimitz managed relationships with non-nonsense hard-asses and domineering egotists, people who didn’t think he deserved his job to the flat squirrels of life who couldn’t make a decision.
Symond shows you how a stoic Texan handles all that, getting all those diverse people to pull in the same direction while coordinating the largest Navy, the largest war effort, in human history.
Whether you’re just a history buff, or you are in the military and business and could use some leadership tip, here ya go.
September 29, 2022
I greatly admired Symons's WWII at Sea with his unique (to me at least) approach to that topic. He emphasized that the limited resources that the Allies brought to the war had to be allocated across all areas of conflict. Providing assets to the war in the Pacific meant less available for going after the U-boats in the Atlantic, for example. When I read a review of this book about Nimitz, I hoped our county library would order it. They did not, so I order from Amazon as a Kindle e-book. I was not disappointed.
I read many histories and historical fiction about WWII and always learn something new. After reading a very detailed look at a specific campaign or theater, I find is helpful to read something with less detail that encompasses a longer time period to help refresh my memory of the big picture. This book accomplished that for me for the war in the Pacific.
I found it very interesting to compare and contrast the personalities and leadership styles o Nimitz and the people around him. From prior reading, I have come to like Nimitz and his style, while disliking McArthur. However, I have to remind myself that the personalities that enable success in war or even in corporations are not the same as those typical of people we would want to be around in everyday life. I still like Nimitz and dislike McArthur, but we probably needed both at the time.
I read many histories and historical fiction about WWII and always learn something new. After reading a very detailed look at a specific campaign or theater, I find is helpful to read something with less detail that encompasses a longer time period to help refresh my memory of the big picture. This book accomplished that for me for the war in the Pacific.
I found it very interesting to compare and contrast the personalities and leadership styles o Nimitz and the people around him. From prior reading, I have come to like Nimitz and his style, while disliking McArthur. However, I have to remind myself that the personalities that enable success in war or even in corporations are not the same as those typical of people we would want to be around in everyday life. I still like Nimitz and dislike McArthur, but we probably needed both at the time.
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