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Danger's Hour: The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her
Band of Brothers meets Masters of the Air in this riveting history of the deadly kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill in the final days of World War II---as told by an author with a unique historical vantage point.In the closing months of World War II, Americans found themselves facing a new and terrifying weapon: kamikazes – the first men to use airplanes as suicide weapons. By the beginning of 1945, American pilots were shooting down Japanese planes more than ten to one. The Japanese had so few metals left that the military had begun using wooden coins and clay pots for hand grenades. For the first time in 800 years, Japan faced imminent invasion. As Germany faltered, the combined strength of every warring nation gathered at Japan's door. Desperate, Japan turned to its most idealistic young men – the best and brightest college students – and demanded of them the greatest sacrifice.
On the morning of May 11, 1945, days after the Nazi surrender, the USS "Bunker Hill" – a magnificent vessel that held thousands of crewmen and the most sophisticated naval technology available – was holding at the Pacific Theater, 70 miles off the coast of Okinawa.
At precisely 9:58 a.m., Kiyoshi Ogawa radioed in to his base at Kanoya, 350 miles from the Bunker Hill, "I found the enemy vessels." After eighteen months of training, Kiyoshi tucked a comrade's poem into his breast pocket and flew his Zero five hours across the Pacific. Now the young Japanese pilot had located his target and was on the verge of fulfilling his destiny. At 10:02.30 a.m., as he hovered above the "Bunker Hill," hidden in a mass of clouds, Kiyoshi spoke his last words: "Now, I am nose-diving into the ship."
The attack killed 393 Americans and was the worst suicide attack against America until September 11. Juxtaposing Kiyoshi's story with the stories of untold heroism of the men aboard the "Bunker Hill," Maxwell Taylor Kennedy details how American sailors and airmen worked together, risking their own lives to save their fellows and ultimately triumphing in their efforts to save their ship.
Drawing on years of research and firsthand interviews with both American and Japanese survivors, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy draws a gripping portrait of men bravely serving their countries in war and the advent of a terrifying new weapon, suicide bombing, that nearly halted the most powerful nation in the world.
515 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2008
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August 14, 2012
What to make of this book. Not being a professional historian working in this area but with some interest in things nautical, I have no in-depth knowledge of the factual nature of this book. Nevertheless, there were some little things that struck me: the Langley (CV-1)described as having begin its life as a light cruiser (it was a collier - note that a later USS Langley CV-17 was indeed originally ordered as a light cruiser), “heads” being called bathrooms, the “rising sun” insignia described as being on the tail of a plane (all pictures I’ve seen had the red ball on the fuselage and the wings,) and bombs are not usually attached to the landing gear.
So I poked around in some reviews and leaving aside the inevitable antagonism toward the Kennedys -- why can’t we see people as individuals instead of part of the inevitably hated tribe -- there were several naval types who railed at the naval errors which they reported filled the book. (One wag reported that reading the first half of the book was like “walking around with a pebble in your shoe” - what a great line.)
On the other hand, the goal of the author was to celebrate the ordinary seaman and aviator (ironically both Admirals Mitscher and Burke were aboard the Bunker Hill); to examine why they performed such heroic actions under impossible conditions; why Japanese often flew their planes willingly into American ships; and to examine whatever cultural differences might exist between the two countries that might explain the differences.
A basic tenet of western culture is that suicide is immoral, yet despite our celebration of the individual as opposed to the Japanese adoration for those who subsume themselves for the group, we, too, honor those who “give their lives for their country.” That implies a willful act, one that could be considered suicide and it’s certainly done for the “greater good.” Charging the machine gun to certain death gets the country’s highest honor. If these values were not inculcated into us from birth, I suppose the military could not exist.
The Bunker Hill carried a new kind of bomb. Developed by Dr. Louis Fieser (who later invented antimalarial drugs and proved that cigarettes caused lung cancer,) this cluster bomb contained several pipes each packed with a mixture of sodium and gasoline which formed a kind of jelly that once burning was impossible to extinguish. Called the M-69 it was targeted against people. Since most Japanese homes were built of wood, the incendiaries created a firestorm. In a change of tactics, General Curtis LeMay ordered his B-29s to begin nighttime bombing of cities rather than daylight targeted bombing of industrial targets. The first test, a single raid, was horrifically successful destroying 25,000 homes in Tokyo. A larger raid, totally unopposed by Japanese fighters which by March of 1945 had been virtually destroyed, created a firestorm rivaling anything in Europe and killed more than 100,000 and destroyed sixteen square miles. Many died by trying to protect themselves in the city's canals but the water began to boil from the heat and they were boiled alive. More people than died at Hiroshima. Could this devastation provided part of the motivation for the Kamikazes, as a desperate act of revenge or to prevent further strikes?
By 1944, the shortage of experienced pilots and airplanes forced the Japanese military into adopting a last resort tactic as the only way to successfully attack U.S. fast attack carriers which were devastating their navy shore-based aircraft. The only solution left to them -- perhaps the only tactic for any desperate group whose righteous survival is threatened with destruction (Jim Jones, anyone?) was the suicide attack. That lesson seems to have been lost on the U.S. after 9/11: it represented a sign of Al Qaeda's weakness rather than strength.
So the question I continue to ask myself, and sought from this book, is just why we are so willing to give our lives for something as ephemeral and inconsequential as a political entity we call a country and/or a political system which many of us could not define except in mythological terms. My nephew and I once had a most interesting debate over lunch in Wurzburg where he teaches ethics and philosophy about a statement made by a German(!) professor I had in college who said that “no political system was worth one life.” If one accepts that one might be, just where does one draw the line: a thousand, ten thousand, a million? So my expectations for the book had less to do with whether the author was a Kennedy or whether the original Langley started as a collier, or where the Japanese planes painted their insignia. It was why people do what they do in times of extreme stress and how we define heroes. I still cannot answer that question to my satisfaction.
The first part of the book is rather disjointed and a disorganized aggregation of facts and background (albeit very interesting) in the development of Japanese adoption of suicide as a tactic. Suicidal behavior has always been a part of combat. Indeed, the attacks by U.S. slow torpedo bombers at Midway were suicidal if you look at the nearly 100% casualty rates and most pilots realized it. On the other hand, despite the realization on the part of the Japanese military of the need for some independent thinking, the general culture of Japan celebrated the community and a slavish devotion to the Emperor and society. (The recent Texas GOP platform has a statement with regard to critical thinking that would have made them fit right in with that kind of cultural mindset.*)
The book has an extraordinary bibliography and Kennedy has clearly done his homework. The rather obvious mistakes I noted above should probably be chalked up to bad editing at Simon & Schuster and not seen as a reflection on the entire book which is extremely interesting.
*From the Texas GOP platform: We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.
So I poked around in some reviews and leaving aside the inevitable antagonism toward the Kennedys -- why can’t we see people as individuals instead of part of the inevitably hated tribe -- there were several naval types who railed at the naval errors which they reported filled the book. (One wag reported that reading the first half of the book was like “walking around with a pebble in your shoe” - what a great line.)
On the other hand, the goal of the author was to celebrate the ordinary seaman and aviator (ironically both Admirals Mitscher and Burke were aboard the Bunker Hill); to examine why they performed such heroic actions under impossible conditions; why Japanese often flew their planes willingly into American ships; and to examine whatever cultural differences might exist between the two countries that might explain the differences.
A basic tenet of western culture is that suicide is immoral, yet despite our celebration of the individual as opposed to the Japanese adoration for those who subsume themselves for the group, we, too, honor those who “give their lives for their country.” That implies a willful act, one that could be considered suicide and it’s certainly done for the “greater good.” Charging the machine gun to certain death gets the country’s highest honor. If these values were not inculcated into us from birth, I suppose the military could not exist.
The Bunker Hill carried a new kind of bomb. Developed by Dr. Louis Fieser (who later invented antimalarial drugs and proved that cigarettes caused lung cancer,) this cluster bomb contained several pipes each packed with a mixture of sodium and gasoline which formed a kind of jelly that once burning was impossible to extinguish. Called the M-69 it was targeted against people. Since most Japanese homes were built of wood, the incendiaries created a firestorm. In a change of tactics, General Curtis LeMay ordered his B-29s to begin nighttime bombing of cities rather than daylight targeted bombing of industrial targets. The first test, a single raid, was horrifically successful destroying 25,000 homes in Tokyo. A larger raid, totally unopposed by Japanese fighters which by March of 1945 had been virtually destroyed, created a firestorm rivaling anything in Europe and killed more than 100,000 and destroyed sixteen square miles. Many died by trying to protect themselves in the city's canals but the water began to boil from the heat and they were boiled alive. More people than died at Hiroshima. Could this devastation provided part of the motivation for the Kamikazes, as a desperate act of revenge or to prevent further strikes?
By 1944, the shortage of experienced pilots and airplanes forced the Japanese military into adopting a last resort tactic as the only way to successfully attack U.S. fast attack carriers which were devastating their navy shore-based aircraft. The only solution left to them -- perhaps the only tactic for any desperate group whose righteous survival is threatened with destruction (Jim Jones, anyone?) was the suicide attack. That lesson seems to have been lost on the U.S. after 9/11: it represented a sign of Al Qaeda's weakness rather than strength.
So the question I continue to ask myself, and sought from this book, is just why we are so willing to give our lives for something as ephemeral and inconsequential as a political entity we call a country and/or a political system which many of us could not define except in mythological terms. My nephew and I once had a most interesting debate over lunch in Wurzburg where he teaches ethics and philosophy about a statement made by a German(!) professor I had in college who said that “no political system was worth one life.” If one accepts that one might be, just where does one draw the line: a thousand, ten thousand, a million? So my expectations for the book had less to do with whether the author was a Kennedy or whether the original Langley started as a collier, or where the Japanese planes painted their insignia. It was why people do what they do in times of extreme stress and how we define heroes. I still cannot answer that question to my satisfaction.
The first part of the book is rather disjointed and a disorganized aggregation of facts and background (albeit very interesting) in the development of Japanese adoption of suicide as a tactic. Suicidal behavior has always been a part of combat. Indeed, the attacks by U.S. slow torpedo bombers at Midway were suicidal if you look at the nearly 100% casualty rates and most pilots realized it. On the other hand, despite the realization on the part of the Japanese military of the need for some independent thinking, the general culture of Japan celebrated the community and a slavish devotion to the Emperor and society. (The recent Texas GOP platform has a statement with regard to critical thinking that would have made them fit right in with that kind of cultural mindset.*)
The book has an extraordinary bibliography and Kennedy has clearly done his homework. The rather obvious mistakes I noted above should probably be chalked up to bad editing at Simon & Schuster and not seen as a reflection on the entire book which is extremely interesting.
*From the Texas GOP platform: We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.
February 17, 2009
This book is an extremely readable account of Japan’s mounting desperation during the final years of WWII, leading eventually to the formation of the Tokkotai (Kamikaze) units and, on May 11th, 1945, the severe wounding of the U.S. aircraft carrier Bunker Hill by two young Japanese pilots. Kennedy has done a great job of reconstructing the personal experiences of the Japanese pilots and several of the men aboard the Bunker Hill, giving a fairly even-handed account of life on both sides of the conflict.
The author’s writing does tend towards hyperbole, particularly when describing acts of bravery and sacrifice (and the volume of footnotes is absolutely obnoxious) but he does a good job of navigating the treacherous waters of modern WWII analysis; Kennedy honors the bravery of the Japanese pilots while acknowledging the futility of their actions in shaping the final outcome of the war, and he condemns the Japanese commanders who ordered these young men to their deaths. Simultaneously, Kennedy commends the Bunker Hill commander who, after the ship becomes an inferno, orders his men in the boiler and engine rooms to remain at their posts, leading to slow and agonizing deaths. Perhaps more lives were saved than lost by this action, but from the evidence presented, I had to wonder (Carrie Bradshaw moment here), were the Japanese the only side too callous in sacrificing young lives?
The author’s writing does tend towards hyperbole, particularly when describing acts of bravery and sacrifice (and the volume of footnotes is absolutely obnoxious) but he does a good job of navigating the treacherous waters of modern WWII analysis; Kennedy honors the bravery of the Japanese pilots while acknowledging the futility of their actions in shaping the final outcome of the war, and he condemns the Japanese commanders who ordered these young men to their deaths. Simultaneously, Kennedy commends the Bunker Hill commander who, after the ship becomes an inferno, orders his men in the boiler and engine rooms to remain at their posts, leading to slow and agonizing deaths. Perhaps more lives were saved than lost by this action, but from the evidence presented, I had to wonder (Carrie Bradshaw moment here), were the Japanese the only side too callous in sacrificing young lives?
June 15, 2009
This book is an excellent account of the USS Bunker Hill and the Japanese pilot who nearly destroyed her during the final months of the fighting in the Pacific during WW2. The account of the men who sailed and died on the USS Bunker Hill and the story of the brave Kamikaze pilot who dove his plane into the ship flowed effortlessly and it was hard to put the book down. For anyone who would like to learn more about why these men gave their lives during WW2, from both perspectives, this would be a good book to read and understand.
January 14, 2015
“Danger’s Hour, The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her”, by Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, published by Simon & Schuster.
Category – History/World War II Publication Date – November 11, 2008
The Japanese Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill was the worse suicide attack against America until September 11.
“Danger’s Hour” is really three books in one. The first part of the book gives a general outline of the causes of World War II and the emergence of the Aircraft Carrier and Naval Air Power. The second part of the book gives the reader a look at the lives of both the American and Japanese Aviators. It tries to bring an understanding as to how these young Japanese Kamikaze Pilots (most were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five) willingly aimed their planes at American Naval vessels. It might surprise the reader that many of these young men did not agree with this tactic but carried it out due to a profound duty to the Emperor, Country, and Family.
The third part of the book (and most graphic) is the two devastating kamikaze hits on the carrier USS Bunker Hill. The attack killed 393 Naval Personnel and hundreds wounded. Some of these wounded were burned severely and carried the scars throughout their lives. It is a testimony to the caliber of these men who fought raging fires amidst exploding ammunition, and burning fuel that they were able to keep the Bunker Hill afloat.
A fantastic story for those interested in military history, and for those who served and are serving in the armed forces. The beginning of the book may be a rough read for those not interested in military history but the final chapters are full of unbelievable action and courage.
Category – History/World War II Publication Date – November 11, 2008
The Japanese Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill was the worse suicide attack against America until September 11.
“Danger’s Hour” is really three books in one. The first part of the book gives a general outline of the causes of World War II and the emergence of the Aircraft Carrier and Naval Air Power. The second part of the book gives the reader a look at the lives of both the American and Japanese Aviators. It tries to bring an understanding as to how these young Japanese Kamikaze Pilots (most were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five) willingly aimed their planes at American Naval vessels. It might surprise the reader that many of these young men did not agree with this tactic but carried it out due to a profound duty to the Emperor, Country, and Family.
The third part of the book (and most graphic) is the two devastating kamikaze hits on the carrier USS Bunker Hill. The attack killed 393 Naval Personnel and hundreds wounded. Some of these wounded were burned severely and carried the scars throughout their lives. It is a testimony to the caliber of these men who fought raging fires amidst exploding ammunition, and burning fuel that they were able to keep the Bunker Hill afloat.
A fantastic story for those interested in military history, and for those who served and are serving in the armed forces. The beginning of the book may be a rough read for those not interested in military history but the final chapters are full of unbelievable action and courage.
July 28, 2020
Having read dozens of books about WWII, particularly ones that deal with a specific day or an individual engagement, I am sometimes disappointed in where the author decides to begin the story. How much background is necessary? Because I've read so much about WWII, I'm sometimes critical of authors who spend what I think is too much time on it. This book (not counting the author's note, bibliography, and index) is 463 pages. The core event begins on page 283. Just given that information, it would be easy to think that perhaps too much is spent on background.
It is not. Those nearly 300 pages of introduction are excellent. We learn about the construction of the USS Bunker Hill and we learn about the kamikaze program. We are introduced to the men who are the actors in the critical events described, who tell us their stories through the author. I found this part of the book not only interesting and informative but easy to read.
The meat of the book, the description of the attack and the aftermath, was interesting but not at all easy to read. I don't consider myself to be particularly emotional. But this was tough reading. These men went through hell. Kennedy did a superb job of getting these men to describe their actions and thoughts and an excellent job of relating that information to the reader.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the large number of photographs included. These are distributed throughout the text rather than in glossy sections divorced from their context. There are also a number of helpful maps and diagrams.
Highly recommended.
It is not. Those nearly 300 pages of introduction are excellent. We learn about the construction of the USS Bunker Hill and we learn about the kamikaze program. We are introduced to the men who are the actors in the critical events described, who tell us their stories through the author. I found this part of the book not only interesting and informative but easy to read.
The meat of the book, the description of the attack and the aftermath, was interesting but not at all easy to read. I don't consider myself to be particularly emotional. But this was tough reading. These men went through hell. Kennedy did a superb job of getting these men to describe their actions and thoughts and an excellent job of relating that information to the reader.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the large number of photographs included. These are distributed throughout the text rather than in glossy sections divorced from their context. There are also a number of helpful maps and diagrams.
Highly recommended.
March 27, 2009
Even if the author often slips into moments where he jumps between paragraphs without any transition, the amount of research he put into this work is obvious, and the narrative never seems to lag. Most importantly, the author provides a glimpse into that time that few other historical narratives offer: Kennedy tells us exactly how the combatants from both sides lived and often died. A treasure of interesting detail that still does not hide the bigger story. And give the author much credit for his respectful and careful look into psyche of the suicide bombers (the kamikaze pilots).
December 25, 2013
I bought this book because my grandfather served on the USS Bunker Hill. He was a part of and witnessed a great deal of the events described in this book. The writing isn't fantastic but he tells the story and I have a great deal of respect for those in the Armed Forces and anyone willing to tell their story should be commended for their work.
September 10, 2012
I don't usually read non-fiction about World War II, but this one was of special interest because my father served on the Bunker Hill. His cousin, Bob Stock, was also on the carrier and against all rules, kept a journal. I have a copy and I followed Kennedy's account with what Bob wrote.
October 21, 2021
A book with a tremendous amount of research. Great insight into the true danger n kamikaze attacks as World War II wound down. I was astonished in the reporting and comparisons of production of the American industry during the war. The figure of 100 carriers built and launched in the years of the war was astounding! The photos of the damage to the Bunker Hill after the kamikazes hit were truly frightening. The other than fire toxic smoke and loss of clear air in the ship after the explosion was something you don't think about in an attack. The photos were great in understanding the devastation of the ship.
I only saw one point that was inaccurate, on page 260 he mentions Buckner Bay, was for Marine General Simon Bolivar Buckner who was the commander of the 10th Army and was killed in the battle for Okinawa. He was an army general, who was succeeded by Marine general Roy Geiger, the only time in history that a Marine general commanded an Army. A great read.
I only saw one point that was inaccurate, on page 260 he mentions Buckner Bay, was for Marine General Simon Bolivar Buckner who was the commander of the 10th Army and was killed in the battle for Okinawa. He was an army general, who was succeeded by Marine general Roy Geiger, the only time in history that a Marine general commanded an Army. A great read.
January 2, 2024
Picked up this book because my grandpa served on the Bunker Hill, helping bring home troops during Operation Magic Carpet after the end of WW2.
The first 250+ pages of the book meander and move really slow. Didn’t expect to get a brief history of the Navy at the beginning of the war. Some context is helpful, just not sure we needed so much.
I also expected more narrative and focus on key characters who served on the Bunker Hill, but Kennedy reserves the bulk of his human storylines for the Kamikaze pilot.
The strength of this book is the reporting and writing that details the attack and the aftermath. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading late into the night.
Also, was a bit disappointed to not get a bit of an epilogue on the work to repair the Bunker Hill and the troop transport effort.
The first 250+ pages of the book meander and move really slow. Didn’t expect to get a brief history of the Navy at the beginning of the war. Some context is helpful, just not sure we needed so much.
I also expected more narrative and focus on key characters who served on the Bunker Hill, but Kennedy reserves the bulk of his human storylines for the Kamikaze pilot.
The strength of this book is the reporting and writing that details the attack and the aftermath. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading late into the night.
Also, was a bit disappointed to not get a bit of an epilogue on the work to repair the Bunker Hill and the troop transport effort.
August 27, 2018
The author describes this book as a "micro history" and it is that exactly.
I selected this book on the strength of briefly meeting the author. His interest in history tingled my interest, and here I am.
The narrative traces the personal histories of the crew of the USS Bunker Hill, the Kamikaze pilots, and the ship itself. It also places the events in the context of world history, medical and naval engineering science, and the overall direction of US and Japanese strategy and tactics.
Worth the read if you like WW2 history.
The only mild shortfall of this work is it could have been edited better. I think a few sections were a bit repetitive. Other than that, no worries.
I selected this book on the strength of briefly meeting the author. His interest in history tingled my interest, and here I am.
The narrative traces the personal histories of the crew of the USS Bunker Hill, the Kamikaze pilots, and the ship itself. It also places the events in the context of world history, medical and naval engineering science, and the overall direction of US and Japanese strategy and tactics.
Worth the read if you like WW2 history.
The only mild shortfall of this work is it could have been edited better. I think a few sections were a bit repetitive. Other than that, no worries.
August 26, 2023
Absolute trash. Factual inaccuracies galore. Cruisers with a CC prefix? The Langley begun as a cruiser? This book is a sad joke given that the Bunker Hill's story is always overshadowed by that of the Franklin. Her story deserves to be told and done well. Instead, we get Kennedy's book: a factual nightmare written by someone who sounds like he's trying to either put himself to sleep or cause the reader to self-inflict head trauma.
August 2, 2017
You are either going to enjoy or hate this author's writing style as he can jump topics fairly dramatically between different paragraphs. I found this to be a great way to convey related information in a very engaging manner.
This book is engaging, well researched, and moving.
A great read for history fans.
This book is engaging, well researched, and moving.
A great read for history fans.
September 3, 2017
A heart wrenching book!
One of the most thorough books in giving 'visualization' to war in the Pacific! A reminder of how war affects both sides of war.
One of the most thorough books in giving 'visualization' to war in the Pacific! A reminder of how war affects both sides of war.
Read
January 9, 2020Book is a tale of 2 halves. If you want to read an excellent accounting of the attack on the ship, start around page 250. If you want to read a mess of everything else wwii read the first 250.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
good detail, sometimes repetitive and and understandable American bias perspective
Read
December 7, 2025This book should be read by everyone.
November 13, 2009
Not for the faint of heart. As a burn survivor, the descriptions of the victims, their pain, the lack of knowledge available, before The Vietnam War, of how to deal with burns, resulted in several nights of sleeplessness. I was appalled by the methods used on the young Japanese college students to gradually deprive them "of self" and get them to the position of "He was volunteered for it" (p.184). The loss of Japan's youngest and brightest certainly has given me a new perspective on the current suicide terrorist. How interesting that the Kamikaze are never referred to as terrorist, but the same behavior is now defined as such. I am going to lay off such graphic books until I recover from this one.
June 30, 2012
This was a good book. Not great, but it kept my interest. I really enjoyed the background on how the kamikaze program came about and the underpinnings of it the Japanese culture, but the book took too long to get the the event and spent too little time detailing it. There were many parts that felt repetitive.
October 21, 2014
What an amazing and horrific story. I've always thought aircraft carriers were virtually indestructible, but clearly this vintage had some serious vulnerabilities. My great uncle was on the Bunker Hill during this attack, but sadly he passed away recently and I never heard the story of his experiences on that ship.
December 25, 2014
I enjoyed this read. Author does a solid job setting the period and progress of the war in the Pacific. Nice buildup with e history of the Carriers and what life was like for the men involved. Good idea of the mentality of the Japanese and the mentality behind the Kamikaze pilots.
Very good read overall whether you are a WWII expert or a dabbling novice. good level of detail.
Solid 4 *s
Very good read overall whether you are a WWII expert or a dabbling novice. good level of detail.
Solid 4 *s
Want to read
April 6, 2009Just learned about this one from The Daily Show. I'm not usually into WWII military history, but my grandmother's brother was on the USS Bunker Hill when it was kamikaze'd, so I have a personal interest in the topic.
Read
February 13, 2009During the last days of World War II Japan desperately trained their "best and brightest" as kamikaze pilots to destroy American aircraft carriers. The author explores the determination of the Japanese efforts to frustrate American power. (Tess A., Reader's Services)
June 6, 2016
I had to give up after the first sixty pages. The book reads like it was written in outline form with the paragraphs filled in by a team--there is a lot of repetition and absolutely no flow, even within some of the paragraphs.
September 18, 2012
A very well written book about the attack on the Bunker Hill and the events before and after. A story of bravery, desperation and self sacrifice. A highly recommended book about the war in the Pacific.
January 21, 2016
While telling the story of the kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill in great detail this book also clearly illustrates the conditions and mindset that led kamikaze pilots to do what they did. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Pacific theater in World War II.
Read
January 10, 2009the utmost horror of war. being in the us navy (1952-56) my ship**i was not on at the time was kamikazed) was very interesting to read about. **uss borie dd704
February 28, 2009
I truly enjoyed this history book about the US Navy, particularly aircraft carriers, and the Japanese Navy and Kamikaze pilots during WWII. Definitely recommend to fans of war history.
July 24, 2012
Good idea, not badly written but poorly fact-checked/edited. Too many little errors that were hard to ignore and took away from a story that needed to be told.
April 3, 2013
Meticulously researched and excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews