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Todd Ingram #5
Edge of Valor
**WINNER OF THE MILITARY WRITERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2015 GOLD MEDAL FOR HISTORICAL FICTION** "Gobbell's sea tales featuring Commander Todd Ingram will have you looking up your nearest Navy recruiter." —Nelson DeMille, #1 NYT Bestselling Author Todd Ingram has just saved his ship from a kamikaze raid. While seeking repairs in Okinawa, he hears news of the war’s end...and then receives mysterious orders to defuse an imminent Soviet attack. In the process, he is to rescue a Red Cross representative with irrefutable proof of Japanese war crimes. The assignment brings him face-to-face with a Soviet adversary from his past—and a Japanese garrison determined to stop him. Three weeks ago Todd was fighting the Japanese, and the Russians were supposed to be his ally. Now he doesn’t know who to trust....and as his shipmates prepare to return to their loved ones, Todd’s war continues. __________________________ Praise for John J. Gobbell and EDGE OF "Edge of Valor is John Gobbell at his finest, with a rapidly-paced historical thriller that will have readers turning pages at a furious rate. His portrayal of the war years in the Pacific and on the home front is brilliant and authentic down to the last detail." —Quarterdeck "Far better than a yarn. Edge of Valor has vivid historical characters and heart. Like no other historical novel, it brings to life the new world order that followed World War II and is still emerging as the cause of turmoil in the western Pacific continues to shift." —Seth Cropsey, author of The Decline of American Naval Supremacy "John Gobbell's latest book, Edge of Valor, is another triumph in this series. It is historical fiction at its best. He is a master of the details of the battle actions of our World War II destroyers and extends his tale to include the beginning of the Cold War with the Soviet Union." —Rear Adm. Hank McKinney, USN (Ret.), author of Flotsam & Jetsam __________________________ What readers are ★★★★★ "Great novel with lots of history." ★★★★★ "Jack brings history alive in a very entertaining and informative way." ★★★★★ "Great yarn, Fills in the logistical blanks regarding the days before the Formal Japanese Surender."
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2014
1491 people are currently reading
111 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 54 reviews
June 26, 2025
Great story, good twists, and a fun read. Ingram is one lucky fella.
September 28, 2020
Typical of Gobbell's Tod Ingram series, this was a suspenseful, exciting WWII story which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I have now read the first five Tod Ingram books, which completes the WWII scenario in which they were set. I am anxious to start on the last book of the series, Book 6, to see where it takes me in terms of the historical context of the first five books. I have really enjoyed the fictionalized stories in this series, yet using real names, places, and historical events.
October 10, 2021
This was a great read, which to me, was hugely involving. The characters are somewhat larger than life with many idiosyncrasies making the story interesting and more real. This was an exciting read which took away the doldrums of Covid 19 lockdown, compelling and absorbing as the reader was drawn through the timeline of WWII from the entry of the USA to the dropping of the atom bombs.
As with most stories there were parts that were unbelievable but this does not matter as after all it is fiction. The difficulties encountered and the atrocities performed were very realistic and tell us humans we can be base animals while furbishing our dreams of power.
My greatest criticism is the ever pervading use by authors of military books, in particular, of first letters of military hardware, TBS for instance, which the kindle dictionary describes as an abbreviation for "tablespoon", ever tried to fight a battle with a tablespoon?. Please, please authors of all books. Use WORDS. Are they not the artists pallet for writing. Are authors not WORDsmiths? What is to gain by using abbreviations to write a story, more is lost to the reader who is left with a blank feeling of "What is that?", especially if there is no glossary.
As with most stories there were parts that were unbelievable but this does not matter as after all it is fiction. The difficulties encountered and the atrocities performed were very realistic and tell us humans we can be base animals while furbishing our dreams of power.
My greatest criticism is the ever pervading use by authors of military books, in particular, of first letters of military hardware, TBS for instance, which the kindle dictionary describes as an abbreviation for "tablespoon", ever tried to fight a battle with a tablespoon?. Please, please authors of all books. Use WORDS. Are they not the artists pallet for writing. Are authors not WORDsmiths? What is to gain by using abbreviations to write a story, more is lost to the reader who is left with a blank feeling of "What is that?", especially if there is no glossary.
March 31, 2021
John J. Gobbell is a destroyerman and a fine author!
Gobbell hit his final home run with this one!...Or was it his final one?...I thoroughly enjoyed this series as an old tincansailor myself. I saw myself down in Main Control standing alongside the throttleman, in Director 51 brass firing key in my fist and on the starboard bridgewing, wind and spray in my face...lordy! What a ride this was! As we declared in number one engine room answering an “all ahead Bendix” bell (that’s the position of the pointer on the engine order telegraph just down a notch from ‘flank’ where the emblazoned Bendix brass plate displays the manufacturer’s name), Haze Gray, Underway, 30 Knots and No Smoke! Bravo Zulu, John!
Gobbell hit his final home run with this one!...Or was it his final one?...I thoroughly enjoyed this series as an old tincansailor myself. I saw myself down in Main Control standing alongside the throttleman, in Director 51 brass firing key in my fist and on the starboard bridgewing, wind and spray in my face...lordy! What a ride this was! As we declared in number one engine room answering an “all ahead Bendix” bell (that’s the position of the pointer on the engine order telegraph just down a notch from ‘flank’ where the emblazoned Bendix brass plate displays the manufacturer’s name), Haze Gray, Underway, 30 Knots and No Smoke! Bravo Zulu, John!
July 31, 2021
A superb, fast-paced, and imaginative tale around the actualities of WWII
Peace is coming and treaties signed, but old alliances, anxieties, and allegiances continue to get in the way and the horrors of war haunt the minds of those so mercilessly exposed to the inhumanity of man. Evil is always tough to deal with and often help is essential to make things right. Great reading and well worth the time.
Peace is coming and treaties signed, but old alliances, anxieties, and allegiances continue to get in the way and the horrors of war haunt the minds of those so mercilessly exposed to the inhumanity of man. Evil is always tough to deal with and often help is essential to make things right. Great reading and well worth the time.
February 2, 2023
Great Read
Absolutely loved this book. So much history in this book. History that is going by the wayside.
My father served aboard USS Ticonderoga CV14 during WWII ,like most veterans he didn't talk about the war to much. I have his cruise book and lots of newspaper clippings and copies of the surrender photos. I'm a 30 year retired Navy veteran myself and I enjoy researching some of the conflicts. Thank you, this was a great book.
Absolutely loved this book. So much history in this book. History that is going by the wayside.
My father served aboard USS Ticonderoga CV14 during WWII ,like most veterans he didn't talk about the war to much. I have his cruise book and lots of newspaper clippings and copies of the surrender photos. I'm a 30 year retired Navy veteran myself and I enjoy researching some of the conflicts. Thank you, this was a great book.
April 17, 2020
Great Read to Expend the Storyline and Characters to the End of WWII!
The Edge of Valor Storyline brought the main and secondary characters from previous books and believable actions. The story also brought out guestions about staying or getting get out for a different career. It was a good World War II Fictional History!
The Edge of Valor Storyline brought the main and secondary characters from previous books and believable actions. The story also brought out guestions about staying or getting get out for a different career. It was a good World War II Fictional History!
December 23, 2021
surrender of Japan and Soviet duplicity
So the final surrender of Japan portrayed in detail including all the considerations for a peace are summarized well.
Just when you think Helen and Ingram might begin to recover there are the Russians, again
Great installment in this series.
So the final surrender of Japan portrayed in detail including all the considerations for a peace are summarized well.
Just when you think Helen and Ingram might begin to recover there are the Russians, again
Great installment in this series.
May 29, 2022
Beyond the surrender
While this is an interesting story that takes the reader past the surrender the story looses momentum in the middle. The climax rushes in like a freight train, lots of concussion and then the good guys all win in brilliant and heroic fashion. Compared to many of the other military books I have read this rates an acceptable three stars.
While this is an interesting story that takes the reader past the surrender the story looses momentum in the middle. The climax rushes in like a freight train, lots of concussion and then the good guys all win in brilliant and heroic fashion. Compared to many of the other military books I have read this rates an acceptable three stars.
October 22, 2022
#5 Just as good as its predecessors
The war in the Pacific is coming to an end, but for Cdr Todd Ingram and his peers and his family, it is just the beginning. Am exciting blend of WWII, spy thriller, Hollywood excitement and history. This is the best WWII Naval series experienced in my decades of reading. Make sure to start with The Last Lieutenant (book 1)
The war in the Pacific is coming to an end, but for Cdr Todd Ingram and his peers and his family, it is just the beginning. Am exciting blend of WWII, spy thriller, Hollywood excitement and history. This is the best WWII Naval series experienced in my decades of reading. Make sure to start with The Last Lieutenant (book 1)
February 17, 2025
good story
Todd Ingram is once again where the action is. The war is over, but he’s still in harms way. This time , it wasn’t clear what his mission was. He was anally to the Japanese and an enemy of the Russians. That was realistic. Oh well. I think this story is the end of the line.
Todd Ingram is once again where the action is. The war is over, but he’s still in harms way. This time , it wasn’t clear what his mission was. He was anally to the Japanese and an enemy of the Russians. That was realistic. Oh well. I think this story is the end of the line.
May 26, 2020
Outstanding
Another outstanding book in the series. Historically fascinating, another great story line from Gobbell. Characters are very believable and the dialogue.is great. Could only have been written by a navy.man.
Another outstanding book in the series. Historically fascinating, another great story line from Gobbell. Characters are very believable and the dialogue.is great. Could only have been written by a navy.man.
November 15, 2020
What a terrific series
Any sailor, especially a tin can sailor like me, will love this series. Good plots, excellent character development, realistic descriptions of Navy life and combat, and a hell of a read. The editing could use some help, but otherwise - go for it.
Any sailor, especially a tin can sailor like me, will love this series. Good plots, excellent character development, realistic descriptions of Navy life and combat, and a hell of a read. The editing could use some help, but otherwise - go for it.
December 22, 2020
A real thriller
The fast action and suspense is packed through out the book. This is a great story of the end of WWII and some things that have contributed to the events of the Cold War as well as the many other conflicts over the past years. Entraining and enjoyable reading.
The fast action and suspense is packed through out the book. This is a great story of the end of WWII and some things that have contributed to the events of the Cold War as well as the many other conflicts over the past years. Entraining and enjoyable reading.
December 24, 2020
Another good story
Just like other books in this series, the story was well created and written. I wasn’t sure where the author would go in this story since the war was over. Well done again
Just like other books in this series, the story was well created and written. I wasn’t sure where the author would go in this story since the war was over. Well done again
February 28, 2021
A pretty good adventure story. Kept my attention. Ah, but the poor Commander. Does he ever get a break? I am a three war veteran and do appreciate the sections on stress. They help me appreciate why the last one was so difficult.
November 19, 2021
Enjoyable story and series
The story is entertaining, but the facts are off in a few minor cases. For example:
C-4 developed in mid 1950s
Claymore 1961
RPG late 1950s
not sure how the were used in 1945.
Please fact check, but still a good story.
The story is entertaining, but the facts are off in a few minor cases. For example:
C-4 developed in mid 1950s
Claymore 1961
RPG late 1950s
not sure how the were used in 1945.
Please fact check, but still a good story.
December 6, 2021
I found this book to be well written, exciting, and with characters well developed. Also informative.
I would recommend this book to anyone e interested in WW11 adventure, mystery stories. It's a terrific book and I truly enjoyed it.
I would recommend this book to anyone e interested in WW11 adventure, mystery stories. It's a terrific book and I truly enjoyed it.
March 27, 2022
Incredible series
Well developed characters, extremely interesting plot lines. Fascinating weaving of fiction into history. All the books are must-reads for anyone interested in WWII in the Pacific theater.
Well developed characters, extremely interesting plot lines. Fascinating weaving of fiction into history. All the books are must-reads for anyone interested in WWII in the Pacific theater.
May 22, 2022
The best so far of this series. Characters, dialogue & plot are top notch. The only minor quibble was when the author left the naval world for the land, a couple of pieces of equipment snuck in out of the timeline.
May 3, 2024
Names?
Linda's name is Jeremiah at the beginning of this series. That is the name Ingram and Laura gave their son. But in numerous places, the child is called Jerome. Even Commodore Lands is called Jerome. This a fairly noticeable error in editing.
Linda's name is Jeremiah at the beginning of this series. That is the name Ingram and Laura gave their son. But in numerous places, the child is called Jerome. Even Commodore Lands is called Jerome. This a fairly noticeable error in editing.
June 22, 2024
Wonderful book/series
Well he used up another one of his lives. These books are very well written and action packed. Can't wait to read the next one. The writer makes these characters very clever. Always wondering what will happen next. I highly recommend this series.
Well he used up another one of his lives. These books are very well written and action packed. Can't wait to read the next one. The writer makes these characters very clever. Always wondering what will happen next. I highly recommend this series.
July 6, 2020
Great action, superb detail
Can't wait to read the next. Ingram rocks! Surrender of Japanese aboard Missouri excellent overview of a momentous time in history
Can't wait to read the next. Ingram rocks! Surrender of Japanese aboard Missouri excellent overview of a momentous time in history
July 18, 2020
A decent story
A good story line that had a lot of characters frm previous books wit intrigue and intensity. Then there became too many coincidences to become believable.
A good story line that had a lot of characters frm previous books wit intrigue and intensity. Then there became too many coincidences to become believable.
July 25, 2020
Wonderful Action Packed Story
Great information on how the story of the end of World War 11 ended and pulse the "after action" with the Russians.
Great information on how the story of the end of World War 11 ended and pulse the "after action" with the Russians.
Read
July 28, 2020Edge of valor
The book was well written and in great detail. I suggest everyone to read this book. The author is very skilled.
The book was well written and in great detail. I suggest everyone to read this book. The author is very skilled.
September 20, 2020
Great adventure.
Todd Ingram has more adventures and escaped death in a Great read. All of this takes place after WWII and the beginning of the cold war.
Todd Ingram has more adventures and escaped death in a Great read. All of this takes place after WWII and the beginning of the cold war.
September 25, 2020
Great book
Another very good read in a series of 5 books. Just hope the John Gobell writes more book. I believe that he has and I'm going to read them.
Another very good read in a series of 5 books. Just hope the John Gobell writes more book. I believe that he has and I'm going to read them.
November 17, 2020
Great reAd
Heroism, chivalry, unlikely scenarios but great mind candy. Ultimate fairness on part of the Americans and predictable treachery on behalf of the communists. Fun!
Heroism, chivalry, unlikely scenarios but great mind candy. Ultimate fairness on part of the Americans and predictable treachery on behalf of the communists. Fun!
December 7, 2020
Lacks reality.
Way too much fantasy, destroys what could have been a decent story. Stick to credible scenarios, not this contrived BS.
Way too much fantasy, destroys what could have been a decent story. Stick to credible scenarios, not this contrived BS.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews