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Todd Ingram #6
Dead Man Launch
“John J. Gobbell is the John Le Carré of Naval thrillers.” —John Lehman, Former Secretary of the Navy
The year is 1968, and global upheaval is the norm.
As the war rages in Southeast Asia, a US traitor sells top-secret codes to the Soviet Union.
Then a Soviet submarine disappears in the North Pacific...and as the Russians mobilize to find it, a US nuclear submarine goes missing as well.
Vice Admiral Todd Ingram is caught in the morass—and so is his son, Navy Lieutenant Jerry Ingram.
Both men are thrust into a web of alliances and betrayal in search of answers...and a truth that could save the world from a major disaster.
______________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "Gobbell is to the US Navy as W. E. B. Griffin is to the US Army..."
★★★★★ "This is the first of John Gobbell’s novels I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last."
★★★★★ "Never thought I would see an author cover the Navy so well, but he has done just that. Bravo Zulu John J. Gobbell!!!"
The year is 1968, and global upheaval is the norm.
As the war rages in Southeast Asia, a US traitor sells top-secret codes to the Soviet Union.
Then a Soviet submarine disappears in the North Pacific...and as the Russians mobilize to find it, a US nuclear submarine goes missing as well.
Vice Admiral Todd Ingram is caught in the morass—and so is his son, Navy Lieutenant Jerry Ingram.
Both men are thrust into a web of alliances and betrayal in search of answers...and a truth that could save the world from a major disaster.
______________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "Gobbell is to the US Navy as W. E. B. Griffin is to the US Army..."
★★★★★ "This is the first of John Gobbell’s novels I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last."
★★★★★ "Never thought I would see an author cover the Navy so well, but he has done just that. Bravo Zulu John J. Gobbell!!!"
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
2099 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
John J. Gobbell
16 books41 followersFROM USC TO YANKEE STATION.
Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, John was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as a deck and ASW officer aboard the USS Tingey (DD 539), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and battle of Leyte Gulf veteran. He did a WESTPAC cruise and fought the battle of YANKEE STATION forming a protective destroyer screen around the carrier USS Hancock (CVA 19) in the South China Sea.
Professional Career
Most of John's career has been in executive recruiting. He was with KPMG Peat Marwick as a consultant for three years. And then for ten years, he was a Vice President Boyden Associates, Inc., a large New York City based international executive recruiting firm. He then founded THE GOBBELL COMPANY in Newport Beach, California where he worked on a retained basis with corporate clients to find senior executives. During a concentrated time of developing and presenting candidates for military aerospace clients, John became fascinated with advanced technology, weapon systems, and the executives who build them. Recently he was the Director of Development for the USC Catholic Center, located at the University of Southern California. There, he worked on a $35.0 million capital campaign to build a new Romanesque church and student center on campus.
In civilian life, John sails in Southern California yacht racing regattas. In younger days he skippered in the Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match-racing regattas featuring skippers from around the world, including America's cup stand-outs.
John and his wife, Janine, also a USC graduate, live in Orange County, California.
Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, John was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as a deck and ASW officer aboard the USS Tingey (DD 539), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and battle of Leyte Gulf veteran. He did a WESTPAC cruise and fought the battle of YANKEE STATION forming a protective destroyer screen around the carrier USS Hancock (CVA 19) in the South China Sea.
Professional Career
Most of John's career has been in executive recruiting. He was with KPMG Peat Marwick as a consultant for three years. And then for ten years, he was a Vice President Boyden Associates, Inc., a large New York City based international executive recruiting firm. He then founded THE GOBBELL COMPANY in Newport Beach, California where he worked on a retained basis with corporate clients to find senior executives. During a concentrated time of developing and presenting candidates for military aerospace clients, John became fascinated with advanced technology, weapon systems, and the executives who build them. Recently he was the Director of Development for the USC Catholic Center, located at the University of Southern California. There, he worked on a $35.0 million capital campaign to build a new Romanesque church and student center on campus.
In civilian life, John sails in Southern California yacht racing regattas. In younger days he skippered in the Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match-racing regattas featuring skippers from around the world, including America's cup stand-outs.
John and his wife, Janine, also a USC graduate, live in Orange County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 16, 2020
Having read all six books of the series, I will post this "series review" on all six book sites rather than do a review of each book.
Gobbell nicely mixes fictional characters in among actual events and real historical figures of WWII. It's an enjoyable read, although the author's character development is somewhat shallow and forced... shades of comic book defiance and heroics that just rings hollow if you are conversant with the history and with the actual first hand accounts of veterans who were there and experienced much of what LT Ingram did. Nevertheless, if you have an interest in WWII, the author does an excellent job of mixing in authentic technical and historical data with the flow of action involving his fictional characters - destroyers, aircraft, bombs, naval culture and procedures... all well done and credible. The personal relationships and dialogs are soap opera-worthy and artificial in the settings in which he presents them. Lots of sarcastic retorts and impulsive bravado fitting for a teenaged superhero but not a supposedly mature and experienced commanding officer. I found myself just skimming over those interludes to get past them quickly.
And the author could have used a continuity editor. For example, and not to spoil the series, but in one book Ingram is held captive on a Japanese sub with a Nazi interlocutor, supposedly headed for France... eventually the German rejoins the Kriegsmarine at sea to continue on to Europe. (I'm glossing over a lot of details and action in order not to spoil things for potential readers). He is offered the opportunity to ride U437 to Kiel in a couple weeks - he declines for a much riskier way sooner. Two sentences later the character he is talking to remarks he should have boarded U689 because it would have been safer....
In another example, his Intelligence officer friend Toliver briefly mentions the Redman brothers in reference to their internecine warfare between Op-20-G in Washington and the Rochefort shop in Honolulu (all of which is true). Ingram asks who are they and Toliver puts him off - no time to explain now. They have no further interaction at all, yet on the next page, with Toliver having left, Ingram mentions he knows all about the Redman Brothers.... again, maybe just me but naggingly irritating.
Maybe it is just picky me, but that sort of inconsistency in narrative annoys me... and it is fairly prevalent. However, throughout the combat sequences are excellent, as are the times and events at sea. The fictional story lines centered on Ingram overlaid on the actual events and historical figures of the War are compelling and give the reader a good sense of life in those times. The series is good WWII historical fiction.... better in books 1-4 than 5 & 6... and book 6 is set 30+ years after the war with then Admiral Ingram a relatively minor character to the story line involving his son Lt Ingram. Weakest one of the series.
Gobbell nicely mixes fictional characters in among actual events and real historical figures of WWII. It's an enjoyable read, although the author's character development is somewhat shallow and forced... shades of comic book defiance and heroics that just rings hollow if you are conversant with the history and with the actual first hand accounts of veterans who were there and experienced much of what LT Ingram did. Nevertheless, if you have an interest in WWII, the author does an excellent job of mixing in authentic technical and historical data with the flow of action involving his fictional characters - destroyers, aircraft, bombs, naval culture and procedures... all well done and credible. The personal relationships and dialogs are soap opera-worthy and artificial in the settings in which he presents them. Lots of sarcastic retorts and impulsive bravado fitting for a teenaged superhero but not a supposedly mature and experienced commanding officer. I found myself just skimming over those interludes to get past them quickly.
And the author could have used a continuity editor. For example, and not to spoil the series, but in one book Ingram is held captive on a Japanese sub with a Nazi interlocutor, supposedly headed for France... eventually the German rejoins the Kriegsmarine at sea to continue on to Europe. (I'm glossing over a lot of details and action in order not to spoil things for potential readers). He is offered the opportunity to ride U437 to Kiel in a couple weeks - he declines for a much riskier way sooner. Two sentences later the character he is talking to remarks he should have boarded U689 because it would have been safer....
In another example, his Intelligence officer friend Toliver briefly mentions the Redman brothers in reference to their internecine warfare between Op-20-G in Washington and the Rochefort shop in Honolulu (all of which is true). Ingram asks who are they and Toliver puts him off - no time to explain now. They have no further interaction at all, yet on the next page, with Toliver having left, Ingram mentions he knows all about the Redman Brothers.... again, maybe just me but naggingly irritating.
Maybe it is just picky me, but that sort of inconsistency in narrative annoys me... and it is fairly prevalent. However, throughout the combat sequences are excellent, as are the times and events at sea. The fictional story lines centered on Ingram overlaid on the actual events and historical figures of the War are compelling and give the reader a good sense of life in those times. The series is good WWII historical fiction.... better in books 1-4 than 5 & 6... and book 6 is set 30+ years after the war with then Admiral Ingram a relatively minor character to the story line involving his son Lt Ingram. Weakest one of the series.
January 26, 2021
This highly recommended series covers thirty years of naval action
If you love American history, you will find the stories about Todd Ingram's naval career not only exciting, but also enlightening. The war in the Pacific becomes up close and personal through the eyes of Ingram. Gobbell is not afraid to write about the true feelings of his characters in a very unpretentious way and reminds us that war is hell. These are not easy stories to digest, but they give greater understanding of post traumatic stress, alcoholism and stomach issues that often accompany our most worthy heroes.
Reading books on Kindle, one often finds the typos and misplaced words that somehow evade the copy editor's attention, and these books were no exception to this. I have learned to gloss over them, but I wish editors would do a better job of preparation. This series is worth it!
If you love American history, you will find the stories about Todd Ingram's naval career not only exciting, but also enlightening. The war in the Pacific becomes up close and personal through the eyes of Ingram. Gobbell is not afraid to write about the true feelings of his characters in a very unpretentious way and reminds us that war is hell. These are not easy stories to digest, but they give greater understanding of post traumatic stress, alcoholism and stomach issues that often accompany our most worthy heroes.
Reading books on Kindle, one often finds the typos and misplaced words that somehow evade the copy editor's attention, and these books were no exception to this. I have learned to gloss over them, but I wish editors would do a better job of preparation. This series is worth it!
March 11, 2021
This review encompasses the Todd Ingram series: The Last Lieutenant, A Code For Tomorrow, When Duty Whispers Low, The Neptune Strategy, Edge Of Valor, and the last in the Ingram series Dead Man Launch. A sense of history with strong character development around an interesting and ongoing naval career which begins in 1942, WWII, through 1968.
This is the best historical WWII Naval fiction I have read in quite some time. Gobbell's descriptive narrative has you right in the thick of the action with non stop ups and downs.
If you're into true Naval history, the war in the Pacific , in-depth character development, interesting back stories and well researched action, J.J. Gobbell's Todd Ingram series is a MUST READ!!
This is the best historical WWII Naval fiction I have read in quite some time. Gobbell's descriptive narrative has you right in the thick of the action with non stop ups and downs.
If you're into true Naval history, the war in the Pacific , in-depth character development, interesting back stories and well researched action, J.J. Gobbell's Todd Ingram series is a MUST READ!!
Read
November 17, 2021The entire 6 book series, which I've just finished book 5, is very special to me because of my U.S. Navy experience with Fleet Air Gunnery Unit, 1958 to 1960, in El Centro, CA, and my shipboard, Aviation Ordnance ships company, on the U.S.S. Bennington, CVS-20 from 1960 to 1962. The shipboard events, even though aboard a destroyer, are so familiar to me and bring back great memories of my service.
Being in the Pacific with the events that take place in Southern California, I know the locations of those events which brings me right into the story. The real Navy, Army Air Corps., and Marine Corps characters and how the fictional characters fit are remarkable.
The books are truly wonderful with that 2nd World War history standing out for a senior like me.
Being in the Pacific with the events that take place in Southern California, I know the locations of those events which brings me right into the story. The real Navy, Army Air Corps., and Marine Corps characters and how the fictional characters fit are remarkable.
The books are truly wonderful with that 2nd World War history standing out for a senior like me.
August 17, 2020
Holy S...!! The military stuff behind the headlines!!
I’ve now finished the series and so very glad I started it. John Gobbell does not hold back; the cruelty of the Germans and the Japanese, the horrors our men and women suffered, the spies!!
On the positive, the comradery, the strength and tenacity to survive, the celebrations in a world filled w/pain and death.
Go bell writes it from all sides, w/an appropriate American angle.
Yeah it was mechanically and/or technically over my head but still a gripping read, especially w/my passion for history.
I’ve now finished the series and so very glad I started it. John Gobbell does not hold back; the cruelty of the Germans and the Japanese, the horrors our men and women suffered, the spies!!
On the positive, the comradery, the strength and tenacity to survive, the celebrations in a world filled w/pain and death.
Go bell writes it from all sides, w/an appropriate American angle.
Yeah it was mechanically and/or technically over my head but still a gripping read, especially w/my passion for history.
Read
January 19, 2021This was the last of the 6 book series!
Lots of excitement and Naval history!
Not quite as good as the other 5 but still a 5 Star read.
It would have been better to have covered a little more about the Korean War.
For sure there were characters from the first 5 that would have been involved in some of the action in Korea!
I am a Army Vet but enjoy all the historical and island descriptions in all the books.
As an island was discussed I would pull up Google Maps and study the area!
What's next!
just about any book by Mr.Gobbell will be great!
Thanks for the adventure!
Tim Wells
Lots of excitement and Naval history!
Not quite as good as the other 5 but still a 5 Star read.
It would have been better to have covered a little more about the Korean War.
For sure there were characters from the first 5 that would have been involved in some of the action in Korea!
I am a Army Vet but enjoy all the historical and island descriptions in all the books.
As an island was discussed I would pull up Google Maps and study the area!
What's next!
just about any book by Mr.Gobbell will be great!
Thanks for the adventure!
Tim Wells
April 17, 2021
An ending novel based on actual events of U.S.Naval Officer's careers starting with WWII
John Gobbler has been able to enrich the reader with a series of 6 novels, involving actual historical events that portray the career of several U.S. Naval Officers, their trials, tribulations and real feelings. As their careers advance, starting with WWII, each officer is a real down to earth type person, with faults, warts and not the usual type that appear in today's adventure novels. Refreshing and worth your time to read.
John Gobbler has been able to enrich the reader with a series of 6 novels, involving actual historical events that portray the career of several U.S. Naval Officers, their trials, tribulations and real feelings. As their careers advance, starting with WWII, each officer is a real down to earth type person, with faults, warts and not the usual type that appear in today's adventure novels. Refreshing and worth your time to read.
June 4, 2021
What an outstanding series of books. John Gobbell really had me hooked with the Todd Ingram storyline from his inauspicious tour as the skipper of the doomed minesweeper USS PELICAN through to his retirement with the rank of Vice Admiral, This last book, Dead Man Launch, does a great job of tying all the ends together with a broad array of memorable characters. I'm a retired Commander and Naval Academy grad and his descriptions of life in the Navy are spot on. Thank you Mr. Gobbell for this series of great Navy yarns. Bravo Zulu!
August 3, 2021
A superb, wide-ranging, action-filled addition to the series which deserves to continue.
The USS Pueblo is snatched from international waters with overwhelming force as the Cold War balances between tolerable aggression and WWIII. US Presidents are challenged, nuclear weapons proliferate, and old scores from WWII are rubbed raw with claims for territories and resources. Outstanding, imaginative, and well worth the time. This is a most compelling series.
The USS Pueblo is snatched from international waters with overwhelming force as the Cold War balances between tolerable aggression and WWIII. US Presidents are challenged, nuclear weapons proliferate, and old scores from WWII are rubbed raw with claims for territories and resources. Outstanding, imaginative, and well worth the time. This is a most compelling series.
March 8, 2022
Started following Todd Ingram in the Philippines in WWII and have followed him through this book. By this time he's married with two kids and is ready to retire from the Navy with three stars on his shoulders. Lots of action in the intervening years. But the series isn't over yet. The oldest "kid" is an Annapolis grad and now a Lt. Cdr., and Book 7 will be released soon. On order.
These books are like binge watching a well-done TV series!
These books are like binge watching a well-done TV series!
August 3, 2021
Fabulous & Compelling Read
Great story with many twists and turns. It neatly ties together many profound events during the 60’x that mesh into a credible and believable tale. As a former ASW Destroyer CO and squadron Commodore, the pieces fit. Have had many a Nantucket sleigh ride …….
Great story with many twists and turns. It neatly ties together many profound events during the 60’x that mesh into a credible and believable tale. As a former ASW Destroyer CO and squadron Commodore, the pieces fit. Have had many a Nantucket sleigh ride …….
August 3, 2021
Great for historical fiction fans
This is the 6th book of the series and you should start with the first one. If you are a fan of historical fiction you will enjoy the feeling of being there at important events, even if some of the coincidences are a bit incredulous. I was always eager to keep reading.
This is the 6th book of the series and you should start with the first one. If you are a fan of historical fiction you will enjoy the feeling of being there at important events, even if some of the coincidences are a bit incredulous. I was always eager to keep reading.
September 13, 2021
The author really knows how to spin a yarn. Covering the span of ww2 through the bicentennial the author has weaved a story that history and personal experience.
The author really knows how to spin a yarn. Covering the span of ww2 through the bicentennial the author has weaved a story that history and personal experience.
The author really knows how to spin a yarn. Covering the span of ww2 through the bicentennial the author has weaved a story that history and personal experience.
March 25, 2022
A historical fiction book that is an extraordinary read!
This book completes a saga that began with the fall of Correidor and traced the Pacific War thru the liberation of the Philippines and the end of WWII in five previous books. It brings the pivotal characters forward to a new generation of Navy officers. If you read the series you will hope for more in the series! Wee done!
This book completes a saga that began with the fall of Correidor and traced the Pacific War thru the liberation of the Philippines and the end of WWII in five previous books. It brings the pivotal characters forward to a new generation of Navy officers. If you read the series you will hope for more in the series! Wee done!
August 13, 2024
Thanks…
Lots of inside baseball throughout the entire series. We aren’t as flip and conversational when tension flares into chaos. Not common to tie real events spanning so many decades. The Pacific Theater was (is) far more complex than the European. The series has given observers a good tour.
Lots of inside baseball throughout the entire series. We aren’t as flip and conversational when tension flares into chaos. Not common to tie real events spanning so many decades. The Pacific Theater was (is) far more complex than the European. The series has given observers a good tour.
May 5, 2020
Great Series!!
These Todd Ingram novels will entice the readers to loose sleep wanting to read one more chapter. Characters are real and easy to accept as genuine people. John J. Donnell has used historical facts and fiction to give us an outstanding and captivating series.
These Todd Ingram novels will entice the readers to loose sleep wanting to read one more chapter. Characters are real and easy to accept as genuine people. John J. Donnell has used historical facts and fiction to give us an outstanding and captivating series.
June 29, 2020
The worst of the series for me
I didn’t like the big jump over the Korean War and the introduction of of Jerry as a main character with little buildup. There was also way too much Soviet politics for my taste.
I didn’t like the big jump over the Korean War and the introduction of of Jerry as a main character with little buildup. There was also way too much Soviet politics for my taste.
September 29, 2020
One of the best
This is one of the best series of books that I have ever read. I read all the time and I know what a good book consists of.
A great story line, and six or seven characters that can go from one book to another.
This is one of the best series of books that I have ever read. I read all the time and I know what a good book consists of.
A great story line, and six or seven characters that can go from one book to another.
February 24, 2021
A very intriguing cold war story.
The author has written a very enjoyable and suspenseful story of the turmoil and intriguing suspenseful things that occurred during the time when there was a great deal of tension between the US and the USSR.
The author has written a very enjoyable and suspenseful story of the turmoil and intriguing suspenseful things that occurred during the time when there was a great deal of tension between the US and the USSR.
April 3, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed!
This was a very good series! I rate it 4½ stars. Well written, nicely descriptive, and very competently charactered. Missing ½ star due to some mistaken punctuation, but overall a great read,
This was a very good series! I rate it 4½ stars. Well written, nicely descriptive, and very competently charactered. Missing ½ star due to some mistaken punctuation, but overall a great read,
May 2, 2021
A tail told around history
Having lived through a lot of the history part of the story, I enjoyed the people part of the story. I remember a few Airdales and Bubbleheads who would have been fit right in as if the book was written about them. Good job Mr. Gobbled.
Having lived through a lot of the history part of the story, I enjoyed the people part of the story. I remember a few Airdales and Bubbleheads who would have been fit right in as if the book was written about them. Good job Mr. Gobbled.
July 28, 2021
Corregidor to California.
5 stars to cover whole series, as it is warranted! To follow the journey of Todd & Helen from Corregidor to California, including the subsequent journey of their kids was fascinating....more please!!
5 stars to cover whole series, as it is warranted! To follow the journey of Todd & Helen from Corregidor to California, including the subsequent journey of their kids was fascinating....more please!!
December 26, 2021
Cold War stories
A most current Todd Ingram. The adventure continues. A great filler 1946-1976.
The usual officers carry on post war, and introducing Jerry Ingram as a naval pilot.
Highly recommend.
A most current Todd Ingram. The adventure continues. A great filler 1946-1976.
The usual officers carry on post war, and introducing Jerry Ingram as a naval pilot.
Highly recommend.
April 2, 2022
Mildly entertaining but totally make believe
Written for adolescent drama lovers. Unrealistic but entertaining. This series started well but each sequel has shown more glitz and less quality.
Written for adolescent drama lovers. Unrealistic but entertaining. This series started well but each sequel has shown more glitz and less quality.
May 5, 2022
The Pacific war did not get the attention of the European war
I too young for WW Two was there for the Korean conflict. It enables me to see and be placed I had only heard /or seen movie newsreel.
I too young for WW Two was there for the Korean conflict. It enables me to see and be placed I had only heard /or seen movie newsreel.
May 5, 2024
Young Ingram's name?l
Can some please explain how a prominent characters name can be so hard to remember? I this book he has been given a third name, Jerold. You have misnamed the character he was named after. Mr. Gobbel, who were you praising as an editor?
Can some please explain how a prominent characters name can be so hard to remember? I this book he has been given a third name, Jerold. You have misnamed the character he was named after. Mr. Gobbel, who were you praising as an editor?
June 30, 2024
Good story
Not my favorite of Todd Ingram but it did get good and end well. I wish the author had stuck with W W 2. I always enjoy Todd and Helen and Friends. Jerry is good chip of old block.
Not my favorite of Todd Ingram but it did get good and end well. I wish the author had stuck with W W 2. I always enjoy Todd and Helen and Friends. Jerry is good chip of old block.
July 14, 2020
INGRAMS CONTINUE THEIR ADVENTURES
Continuing good reads from Gobbell. Quite a few typos though. By now, thought these bugs would have been eradicated. Maybe next book?
Continuing good reads from Gobbell. Quite a few typos though. By now, thought these bugs would have been eradicated. Maybe next book?
September 25, 2020
Great read
Good ending to the Todd Ingram adventures. Shows his family as the years passed to the late 60s and early 70s.
Good ending to the Todd Ingram adventures. Shows his family as the years passed to the late 60s and early 70s.
December 28, 2020
Excellent
Excellent series with outstanding character development. I would highly recommend the series to folks who enjoy military history type n novels
Excellent series with outstanding character development. I would highly recommend the series to folks who enjoy military history type n novels
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews