Carrier!: Life Aboard a World War II Aircraft Carrier

by Max Miller

Carrier! is a riveting first-hand account of how US Navy sailors and officers lived and fought aboard an Essex class carrier during World War II. Author Max Miller spent many weeks at sea gathering material for his book, and presents his observations in an easy-to read fashion. Carrier! is intended to provide civilians with a glimpse into what life aboard these massive ships was like during World War 2.

*New 2019 edition includes footnotes and images.

Genres: Military History

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2015

About the author

Max Miller Lieutenant Commander USNR

Reviews

[Kevin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for historians of the period

This fascinating time capsule is a comprehensive look at life at sea aboard a WWII aircraft carrier in the Pacific. It does an excellent job capturing the emotional outlooks of the crew during different aspects of a carrier in combat, including the aviators. It is an easy read, whimsical at times, and well worth it.

[Richard Croner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The author wrote this book from the "ship's" point of view and, to me, it made the story very interesting. I am an Army vet but for some inexplicable reason my youngest son joined the Navy and went to sea. It proved to be a very wise decision that provided an excellent foundation for his success. So reading this story about a similar ship to what he served on was interesting and informative.

[Dennis E. Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but partial view of what a carrier is made up of

There are many parts to a warship especially a carrier. Their mission is to strike the enemy at sea and land. The can not do it by themselves. A lot goes on below the flight deck to get her there and, feed the crew, medical care just like a small city. Our jobs on the flight were the purpose the ship was built...to take the battle to the enemy. Our job could not be done without the hard work of those below. I had 32 years in both the Navy and the Air Force and they are the same as it takes a total team effort to accomplish the mission.

[shari lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A introspective look at Bits and pieces of all aspects of a carrier

A very different approach to describing the various duties of different jobs and positions on the flight deck and flight preparation, takeoff, action and return

[Daniel Patitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief description of carrier life

A very thorough description of life on an aircraft carrier during the second world war Describing the life of the pilots the seamen and the officers that ran the ship.

[Richard F Fogle Jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the time

GOOD BOOK, especially if you are looking for a glimpse of what an average pilot's life was like aboard a carrier in WW2.

[T.R. Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of abstractions and ephemera, while lacking a factual base for the daily life and struggles of the tank and file.

[Richard Behling · Rating 2 out of 5]

More poetic than factual.

The author chooses a strange way to write about life on a WW2 carrier, in a very reflective manner. Not much learned from this book.

[Don Wioskowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was well written, and the author made it seem like you were aboard.

[Jerry Rogerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Very interesting reading to actually view the day to day of life for these aircrew. The. equipment available to them and it's limitations.

[Richard A Lambing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical reading, about a bygone era. Cheap price too.

[Louis Mines · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enlightening book on the life of the people on an aircraft carrier, easy read and enjoyable, but not what I expected.

[Daryl P Spindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read. Pretty accurate concerning life and combat from the carrier base. Not a great deal of combat, but the daily routine aboard a carrier is interesting

[Ed Dasso · Rating 1 out of 5]

A waste of money

Terrible writing. I'd hoped for some insight but this was only random musings. It gave me no insight at all

[Timothy Roller · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic description of life abord a carrier.

[Kathleen C. Gaudry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Fascinating look into carrier life. I would have liked more specific detail on the operations. But, overall, it was a good way to see the day to day life onboard.