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H M S Inflexible
1945. The battle against Japan in the Pacific is reaching its climax. One way or another, Inflexible will be Captain Thurston's last command of the war.
Captain Thurston VC is a navy man to his bones. Offered a cushy office job to see out the last months of the war, he resists: instead he's handed command of HMS Inflexible, a proud and powerful aircraft carrier.
It is no easy task. The overwhelming determination of the Japanese fighters and the cruel weather conditions make Thurston's command fraught with difficulties, but the struggle to provide air support for the US and Commonwealth troops must continue.
Home is on the other side of the world, barely a reality, and Thurston finds that he is striving to do the right thing, not only as the Captain of the Inflexible but also in his private life. For a while he and his men are under daily attack from a deadly enemy, Thurston is plagued by feelings of guilt and remorse for the woman he has left behind.
A. E. Langford's compelling naval adventure is an evocative account of life at sea during one of the most perilous and hard-fought battles of this century.
Captain Thurston VC is a navy man to his bones. Offered a cushy office job to see out the last months of the war, he resists: instead he's handed command of HMS Inflexible, a proud and powerful aircraft carrier.
It is no easy task. The overwhelming determination of the Japanese fighters and the cruel weather conditions make Thurston's command fraught with difficulties, but the struggle to provide air support for the US and Commonwealth troops must continue.
Home is on the other side of the world, barely a reality, and Thurston finds that he is striving to do the right thing, not only as the Captain of the Inflexible but also in his private life. For a while he and his men are under daily attack from a deadly enemy, Thurston is plagued by feelings of guilt and remorse for the woman he has left behind.
A. E. Langford's compelling naval adventure is an evocative account of life at sea during one of the most perilous and hard-fought battles of this century.
503 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 19, 2022
I’ve read all three in this series and this is my least favorite. These books are great as long as they are at sea, but put the main characters on land and things slow way down. Thurston learns to fly, but do we really need to know all this detail about British flight training during WW2? Thurston’s affair in Sydney was not only disappointing, but it seemed to drag on for way too many pages. I’d this book is about 100 pages longer than it had to be. I actually skipped entire chapters and didn’t miss a thing relevant to the main story. Fortunately the action at sea was very good. This is the first time I’d seen action from the viewpoint of a Kamakazi pilot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
Outstanding! A wealth of detail in a good sized book. Not one you'll blow through in a few hours. Amazingly detailed description of flight training and aircraft ops in addition to seamanship, ship handling and weaponry. If I had to come up with one criticism, I'd say it could do with less of the main character's sex life, but upon reflection, it serves to show him as conflicted and a vulnerable man after all. All in all, a good yarn; pretty historically and technically accurate. Fans of naval fiction and WW2- go for it.
March 5, 2021
Climax of an interesting series of books
I have enjoyed all three books in this series although I happened upon this one first. It was out of the ordinary in dealing with the Navy towards the end of the war in an unfamiliar theatre. The characters were well drawn and the action vividly described although Thurston's "dalliance " in Australia dragged on a bit. However I reached the end of the book sorry that I had finished it which is always a sign that I have enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed all three books in this series although I happened upon this one first. It was out of the ordinary in dealing with the Navy towards the end of the war in an unfamiliar theatre. The characters were well drawn and the action vividly described although Thurston's "dalliance " in Australia dragged on a bit. However I reached the end of the book sorry that I had finished it which is always a sign that I have enjoyed it.
September 9, 2020
A great read about life aboard a ship in war time
Throughly good read, well written, the descriptive passages bring the ship and it's many characters to life. While it tells of the horrors are many endured it is balanced by the glimpses of life ashore, family, friends and loved ones. The author is new to me but will read more of these books.
Throughly good read, well written, the descriptive passages bring the ship and it's many characters to life. While it tells of the horrors are many endured it is balanced by the glimpses of life ashore, family, friends and loved ones. The author is new to me but will read more of these books.
September 30, 2020
Well written
This has been a very well written and put together novel,true as well as I can judge to the facts of the times and spirit of the people involved. Much of the technical content was accurately portrayed.
This has been a very well written and put together novel,true as well as I can judge to the facts of the times and spirit of the people involved. Much of the technical content was accurately portrayed.
October 12, 2020
An Excellent Read
Not being of RN tradition but from a naval Island I have a little knowledge of how it all works. This is a very readable account of the Pacific War. I commend it to fans of the genre, or those who are curious. It is the thoroughbred excellent books.
Not being of RN tradition but from a naval Island I have a little knowledge of how it all works. This is a very readable account of the Pacific War. I commend it to fans of the genre, or those who are curious. It is the thoroughbred excellent books.
November 10, 2020
An interesting read about a period in Royal Navy history that I knew little about. The story was slightly spoiled by the author continually trying to convince us of the superiority of British aircraft carriers, but overall a good read.
March 3, 2022
Navy veteran
Great read, found the story mixed with facts totally believable. The book took me back to the 50's and 60's when I served, the language banter and such like made me feel I was there. Thank you for a great read
Great read, found the story mixed with facts totally believable. The book took me back to the 50's and 60's when I served, the language banter and such like made me feel I was there. Thank you for a great read
September 21, 2020
Very very good
A really gritty story told by somebody who knows his stuff thoroughly enjoyed the read and will read more in this genre
A really gritty story told by somebody who knows his stuff thoroughly enjoyed the read and will read more in this genre
July 28, 2022
NOT A BAD STORY
Some nice description of air flight and naval engagements. But not the best I’ve read. The end of the war a bit anticlimactic _ story wise.
Some nice description of air flight and naval engagements. But not the best I’ve read. The end of the war a bit anticlimactic _ story wise.
November 30, 2010
Good book in the genre. Fairly predictable in plot, but I enjoyed it. Obviously part of a series - I think I've got an earlier title on the shelf.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews