Only 317 Survived! : USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Navy's Worst Tragedy at Sea. . . 880 Men Died

by Mary Lou Murphy

A history of the tragic fate of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis as told by the survivors

517 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of the survivors of the sinking of the heavy cruiser Indianapolis at the end of World War II. The first hand accounts are mesmerizing and heartbreaking, but so important to read and understand. I was surprised at how many survivors could not be contacted. A few did not want to recall their experiences, and that is understandable, but so many seem to have been lost. I have to wonder what happened to them and how this event impacted their lives.

[Adam Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read, simply a must read for anyone with interest in history, the military, the war, or the sea.
The true story behind the most pivotol man made event in humanity, I cannot stress enough how important this book is.

Just read it.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became obsessed with the story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis after I saw the movie. And then right here in my little railroad town in Tennessee, I met the son of one of the men who went down in the explosion. I found these personal accounts fascinating, chilling, frightening and just terribly sad. Heroes one and all.

[Diogenes Grief · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how the rate this book. It’s not a novel by any means; it’s more of an encyclopedia of brief biographies and first-person (and sometimes second-person) accounts of the 317 survivors all retelling the same 3-day period. As an archival document, it’s definitely 5 stars. As a sit-down read, I’d have to sadly give it a single star.