Deception and Disaster: The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand

by J. Eugene Porter

The Pacific war expands with a new level of violence. General MacArthur pushes deeper into New Guinea and the islands surrounding the Japanese fortress of Rabaul. Admiral Nimitz prepares to unleash the Fifth Fleet in a series of campaigns in the Central Pacific aimed at breaking the outer barrier of the Japanese defenses. In Europe, British, Commonwealth and American forces continue to fight their way north in the mountains of Italy, while planning a daring amphibious landing to outflank the enemy’s defensive position. Great Britain is flooded with American war production and manpower, as General Eisenhower prepares for the greatest invasion in history. Providing support to these senior commanders, the Science Team works to build the logistical base for the next phase in the war. New technologies and capabilities are introduced to aid these efforts. But first and foremost the Allied strategy must remain a tightly guarded secret even as the enemy prepares for the coming onslaught, unleashing new weapons of war with no sign of surrender.

556 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2023

Reviews

[James Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I

I really enjoyed the amount of research the author did to write this book. I have read several other books in this series and found this book just as well written. I was /am aware of the E-boat attack on the practice landing. The Pacific war was treated as of secondary importance to be dealt with after the war in Europe was finished. Fighting two major wars on different sides of the World was almost impossible. Added to the the war in Burma/India someone has to go lacking. The fact that all these fronts could be supplied is a testament to the industrial power the United States possessed. The author did an excellent job of portraying this. Good book!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rating could have easily been 5 stars with better editing and better inclusion of the personalities of Churchill, Montgomery, etc. WWII history through the eyes of a factious science team. Provides great insight into the planning and execution of the war - not usually appreciated by the casual historian.

[Zachary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Love this Series

Another amazing volume in the adventures of Professor Brand, the Commodore, and their merry band of logisticians. While fictional, the story opens up some of the less known aspects of WWII in a new and exciting way. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!!

[Ronald W Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing science team is at it again. Porter knows his history and brings the key events of late 43 and early 44 into sharp focus. As a professional soldier I appreciate his emphasis on the importance of "beans and bullets" in winning wars.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and his team continue to get around during the planning, training and action of WW2. Landing craft; their function, use and availability drive the story as WW2 prepares to get truly global with the two very complex and large amphibious landings in process; one each for the Atlantic and Pacific War Zones. Overcoming egregious errors like Slapton Sands, enlarged egos from American and British Air Force commanders, masking the activities of several million participants, lots of accidents and mistakes from these mostly amateur Allied combatants and the usual vagaries of terrain, tides and weather continue to amaze those of us in the future looking back at the history of these events.
The author's literary device of the Professor's oversight and analysis groups enable us the look at the big picture while continuing our astonishment with the level of success achieved by some senior Allied commanders. Certainly, not all but sufficient as to suffice!