The Hooligans: A Novel

World War II Navy #7

by P.T. Deutermann

A gripping and authentic World War II naval adventure by a master storyteller The Hooligans fictionalizes the little-known but remarkable exploits of “The Hooligan Navy” that fought in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Loosely-organized in fast moving squadrons, PT (patrol torpedo) boats were the pesky nemesis of the formidable Japanese navy, dubbed “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” for their daring raids against warships, tankers, and transport ships. After the Pearl Harbor raid plunges America into war, young surgical resident Lincoln Anderson enlists in the Navy medical corps. His first deployment comes in August 1942 at Guadalcanal, when after a brutal sea battle and the landing of Marines on the island, Anderson finds himself triaging hundreds of casualties under relentless Japanese air and land attacks. But with the navy short of doctors, soon Anderson is transferred to serve aboard a PT boat. From Guadalcanal to the Solomon Islands to the climactic, tide-turning battle of Leyte Gulf, Anderson and the crew members of his boat confront submarines and surface ships, are attacked from air by the dreaded Kawanishi flying boats, and hunted by destroyers. In the end, Anderson must lead a division of boats in a seemingly-impossible mission against a Japanese battleship formation—and learn the true nature of his character. Informed by P. T. Deutermann’s own experience as a commander of a patrol gunboat in Vietnam, The Hooligans is first-rate military adventure fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction, Military Fiction, War, Action, Military Thriller

Audio CD

First published July 28, 2020

About the author

P. T. Deutermann is a retired Navy captain and has served in the joint Chiefs of Staff as an arms control specialist. He is the author of eighteen novels, and lives in North Carolina. His World War II adventure novel Pacific Glory won the W. Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction, administered by the American Library Association; his other World War II novels are Ghosts of Bungo Suido and Sentinels of Fire. His most recent novel is Cold Frame, a contemporary thriller set in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story goes from Guadalcanal to the Leyte Gulf during World War II. Our protagonist is Lieutenant (j.g.) Lincoln Anderson. Anderson is a physician with the Navy Medical Corp. The story opens with the battle of Guadalcanal. He then is assigned to “The Hooligan Navy”, a P.T. Boat Squadron.

I have read a number of Deutermann’s books and have enjoyed them all. The author takes a historical situation and inserts his fictional characters and, of course, he takes some liberties with facts. The book is well written and fast paced. There is good character and plot development. The author provides a picture of what the medical and nursing corps dealt with during WWII. I recommend this book to all WWII fans.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and thirty-eight minutes. Peter Berkrot does an excellent job narrating the story. Berkrot is a voice over-actor and audiobook narrator. He has won three EarPhone Awards and has been nominated for the Audie.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another WWII winner from author (also retired Navy Captain) Deutermann

I am not usually a huge fan of historical novels - except, it seems, military fiction and non-fiction.

I've enjoyed Deutermann's books in the past and this one was no exception. With his previous military career experience he can really bring these books to life on the page.

In this story Lincoln Andersen is just finishing his third year of medical residency at Duke University when Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese. He immediately leaves the university and heads out to join the Navy Medical Corps and starts out as a Second Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve.

This story is told from his point of view as he is first assigned to Guadalcanal then throughout the Solomon Islands as our military battles against the Japanese.

Because there is a shortage of doctors during this campaign, he finds himself taking on more and more responsibilities as a trauma surgeon. He ends up being assigned to the Hooligan Navy made up of MTB - motor patrol boats, also known as PT boats (patrol torpedo boats). They were used by the Navy because of being small, fast and maneuverable.

“We’re the Hooligan Navy because no one owns us, so we’ve had to become g*****n pirates just to survive.”

I loved this story, its action filled pages and its memorable characters.

I highly recommend this book to military fiction enthusiasts and especially those that enjoy reading about World War II.

I received this book from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in P.T. Deutermann's WWII US Navy series...I love this series, several of his stand-alones and the Cam Richter stories...All Good stuff...I especially enjoy this WWII series in that he has a particular insight into the US Navy, having retired from the service, as well as, providing meticulous research to provide both spot on large-scale historical analysis of the Pacific Campaign, as well as, an entertaining personal small-scale history of of the various protagonists…Not unlike the way the Shaara's present history...In "The Hooligans," we have the story of the fight for the Soloman Islands, as seen through the experiences of Lt. Lincoln Anderson. Anderson is a physician with the Navy Medical Corp that is thrust into surgery status when the Marines are abandoned on Guadalcanal...He is later assigned as a medical officer to the Hooligan Navy, made up of the US Navy's PT boats, and it is through his eyes, we are given their contribution to the defeat of Japan in the Pacific

[H.W. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE HOOLIGANS is one of P. T. Deutermann’s best. It was one of those novels I hated to see end because it was so engaging.

It follows the adventures of a Navy doctor (who becomes a battle-tested surgeon) assigned to a squadron of PT boats during WWII in the Pacific. It tracks the doc and the boats from the early, bloody engagements on Guadalcanal to the last great naval clash of the Pacific war, Leyte Gulf.

What makes this novel so impressive is that it takes the reader not just into battle, but behind the scenes, too, to “evening prayers” and “screamers,” midnight requisitioning capers, and the maddening old-school Navy bureaucracy.

It showcases the ingenuity that Navy medics and Seabees applied to build facilities to care for war casualties in the absence of field hospitals and hospital ships. Ah, yes, there’s even a little romance near the end of the tale.

Deutermann brings the novel to life with scenes that made me laugh—as well as ones that are soul-rending—crisp dialogue, and memorable, larger-than-life characters. It’s the author at his best. If you’re a P. T Deutermann fan, you’ll be an even stronger one after reading THE HOOLIGANS.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody spins a yarn about World War II in the Pacific better than P. T. Deutermann. I just finished an advance copy of his latest story “The Hooligans “. The tale follows a young 3rd year surgery resident as he is swallowed up by the war in the Pacific. Told in the first person through the eyes of “Doc Andersen”, the tale follows Doc and the Motor torpedo boat squadron that he is attached to for two grueling years as they move north from the Solomon Islands to the Philippines. The story and the manner in which it is told reminds one of “McHales Navy” , “Catch 22”, or “M*A*S*H”. This book joins “Pacific Glory”, “ The Commodore “The Iceman”,“Ghosts of Bungo Suido”, “Sentinels of Fire” and “ The Nugget” in the War in the Pacific group. The book is rich in detail and shows that the author either spent a lot of time doing research, or is writing from experience, or both. As with the other tales of war in the Pacific, this work of fiction reads like non-fiction. This and all of Deutermann’s books are well worth the time spent reading them.

[Jud Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hooligans by P.T. Deutermann is the seventh in a series of novels that revolve around World War II. Deutermann himself served in the military for nearly 30 years, serving in a variety of roles including the USS Morton, the USS Hull and the guided missile destroyers Jouett and Tattnall. Deutermann brings all his military experience to bear in Hooligans, which starts off at a break-neck pace and ends with the reader nearly out of breath. The Hooligan Navy is but a footnote in history to most but this book brings them to life in a way few authors could. Deutermann blends together fact and fiction in a way few authors can match. If you are a fan of such noted authors as Clancy, this book is a must-read. I give it 4/5 stars.

* An ebook copy of this book is the only compensation received in exchange for this review. *

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting that the ratings on this book are so high. Not that it's bad by any means. I did like it. Hence, my three-star "I liked it" rating. But I've found his other books to be better. While this is a novel, it read like a diary. In this case, the diary of a young doctor, serving in the Navy in World War II.

As others have noted, it's not so much about the PT boats but rather about the day-to-day life of this young man, trying to patch up wounded soldiers, sailors and Marines while keeping himself alive. I did enjoy the book, but I didn't find it to be as interesting or entertaining as the other books by this author that I've read so far.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight, no doubt due to the author’s background as well as research. The story moves at a quick pace with characters well-developed in such a manner that they seem real and engender concern. Great plot development as well.

[Okcrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best since Pacific Glory

This one really resonated with me. All Deutermann’s hero’s are rambos, performing improbable acts of bravery and emerging as sadder, wiser, damaged survivors. Here his hero is a medical doctor who goes ashore with the First Marines on Guadalcanal. In his way he is also a Rambo performing improbable acts and called “Superman” by his colleagues in the battlefield operating rooms. By the end however he is somewhat humbled and his war has ended. There is a touch of romance in this one that has been missing since Pacific Glory and it added the fifth star to a great tale of daring do.

[Craig Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Never pass up the chance to read any Deutermann novel. He writes with passion and historical accuracy second to none. Character development is superb with the dialog intimate and descriptive without bogging down with extraneous words. This is the story of how the patrol torpedo boats (PT) were used in combat during World War II. You really get a "you are there" feeling when reading. Great read!

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a story more of a diary. Parts were interesting, but it did not pull me to the end.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of PETER (P.T.) DEUTERMANN’s WW II United States Navy novels. I just finished THE HOOLIGANS that is to be published in July 2020. Thank you St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the advanced reading copy. I always give an honest review no matter how I acquire and read a book. I have enjoyed the novels of Mr. Deutermann. Thank you for the great entertainment AND education about the heroes of WW II.

This book has a personal link for me. My favorite uncle, now deceased, also landed with the First Marines on Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands (Pacific Ocean) in 1942. He was a dentist so his experiences had to be similar to those of Dr. Anderson. My uncle never really spoke to me much about this time in his life. I now know a little more about what he endured.

Dr. Lincoln Anderson is in his third year of medical residency at Duke University Medical School when WW II breaks out. He drops out of the residency program with three years to go and enlists in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. After basic training, Lincoln is assigned to the First Marine Division just before they land on Guadalcanal in 1942. After a few weeks of performing emergency and lifesaving surgeries, Anderson is assigned to Tulagi Island near the ‘Canal.

A Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) squadron is based on Tulagi. They are more commonly known as PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats. U.S. President John F. Kennedy served on PT boats in the Pacific Ocean during WW II. These boats were made of mahogany wood and were invisible to the radar of the day. Originally, they carried four torpedoes for offense and some .50 caliber and 20 mm guns for defense. Their job was to stop the Japanese from sending men and supplies to Guadalcanal via destroyers and barges. Anderson is assigned to this squadron as Medical Officer.

Over the next two plus years, Lt (jg) Anderson follows his adopted PT boat squadron through a series of military bases as the U.S. marches steadily towards the Japanese mainland. Along the way, he meets several medical officers who think he is unsuited for his position since he never finished his surgical residency at Duke. All he does is save lives including that of one of his most severe critics.

At the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, Lincoln was wounded but not seriously, he thinks. However, the Navy has other ideas. He was given a medical discharge and returns to North Carolina where he debates returning to Duke or going into a medical practice (not surgery).

As in his previous WW II novels, the author imparts a great deal of WW II history in a readable and entertaining format. There are great personalities in his story. Friendships, romantic interludes, action aplenty. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

GO! BUY! READ!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read The Hooligans in exchange for an impartial review. This is my fourth book by P. T. Deutermann and all have been excellent. I highly recommend his books to anyone with an interest in WW II naval action stories. Used heavily early in the war, the PT Boat or Motor Torpedo Boat service was known as “The Hooligan Navy.” They raided Japanese shipping, harassed warships, patrolled beach coves, ferried commandos and frogmen to secret landings, rescued downed pilots and provided extra anti-aircraft fire in harbors. In a clever move, the author’s main character is a surgeon rather than a PT boat skipper. Making the main character a surgeon allowed the author to showcase not only the little-known PT boat service, but also the incredible work of the battlefront surgeons and hospital staff. Navy lieutenant Lincoln Anderson was a third-year surgical resident at Duke University when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He chose to forgo further education and to join the Navy. He was stationed on Guadalcanal in the early days where he assigned as a surgical assistant, however when the hospital became overrun with causalities, despite a lack of training, he was pressed into performing emergency surgeries on his own. From there he was assigned to a nearby island that served as a first stop for navy and marine wounded, basically a MASH unit, where they performed emergency surgeries to stabilize patients before that were transferred to the main hospital on Guadalcanal. It was at this time that he became attached as surgeon to a PT boat squadron. The squadron moved from Guadalcanal to various islands in the Solomon’s trough to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Throughout they were under constant air attacks from the Japanese. This was an interesting and action filled look at the Pacific War from a very different perspective than you normally see.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroism, dangerous missions, bombs, ship battles, hippocratic oath challenges, and chain of command issues all play a part in P.T. Deutermann’s “The Hooligans”, a story that the exploits of a doctor in support of naval PT missions in the Solomons Islands in the southern Pacific early in World War II. Lieutenant (j.g.) Anderson US Navy Reserve, a third year surgical student, finds himself deep in the fire and fury of combat. Chaos and mayhem begin in chapter one as the medical station is under attack from Japanese bombers and troops during which Doc Anderson must make life and death decisions while the marines around him try to protect the site. The station struggles on as the doctor gives insight into some of the things he witnesses.

The PT boats are fast, wooden hulled boats that venture out at night to disrupt Japanese shipping, but the night is the realm of the Japanese military. With only rudimentary radar for support, the boat commanders must go into battle without necessarily knowing the identities of their targets - troop transports, destroyers, or larger - and without detailed battle plans as they hit and run. Doc Anderson learns the ins and outs of the PT boats and their capabilities and their deficiencies as the boats go out and not all returning. The doc’s education allows him to participate in the local PT boat command staff meetings, even suggesting some plans based on historical events.

The staid naval medical command is not happy with Doc Anderson in that he is doing procedures past his educational level even though he is saving lives. Despite their attempts to remove him from the front, with the “help” of some of the local command he manages to evade from his detractors.

As the battles move from island to island in an attempt to drive the Japanese back to their home island, Doc Anderson supports larger medical efforts and gains a reputation that is not welcomed. But the war stages events that do not always work as the commanders plan. Doc Anderson adapts and continues this efforts.

The story gives many insights into the efforts of the PT boats, their commanders and crews, and the changes to their missions as the war progressed in the Solomons. This story is not always detailed in the histories in that the land battles and the big naval battles garner most of the attention. Even though fiction, this is a good companion to those other stories.

This is an excellent read.

I received a NetGalley version of the book and am freely providing this review.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Eric Anderson is attached to the Solomon Islands for the purpose of giving support to the medical needs of the detachment. He is a fourth-year surgical resident who joins after Pearl Harbor and his superior officers feel he should not be doing any type of surgeries. Problem is that during wartime avoiding surgery is simply not an option.

Guadalcanal is one of the islands in the Solomon Island archipelago and the fighting and casualties were horrendous. Doctor Anderson's ability as a surgeon is quickly noted in field hospitals and he attains the reputation of being a “Superman” when dealing with catastrophic bodily injuries.

The description and miserable facilities in the field hospitals is colorfully documented. Bomb shelters are constructed by U.S. Navy Seabees in record time. Japanese bombers called “Bettys” continually harass the entire staff of PT sailors. The PT’s attack during the night and harass Japanese troop ship movements.

Throughout the book the flavor of war is everywhere. People 1500 miles away from the actual theater of action think they “know” how the war should be fought. The preponderance of armchair fleet operators reminds me of my navy days. They were only slightly less aggravating than the enemy.

As the Japanese are pushed back from this island chain, the casualties mount and experiential learning takes over. HM1 and other enlisted personnel soon become strategic to the survival of the wounded. Dr. Anderson recognizes their abilities and utilizes them to the best of his ability. Comical relief is added with the presence of military scroungers whose mission is to keep the detachment supplied, particularly with medical equipment. Their exploits are enlightening and certainly devious.

We received this uncorrected digital galley from the publisher through NetGalley and the receipt of the copy gratis does not affect my opinion of the book or the content. These are my honest opinions and I'm happy to recommend it as entertaining and enlightening reading for anyone who is a history buff. 5 stars C.E. Williams

See the full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was an okay story, it really had very little to do with PT Boats in action. The story is told in the first person by the character Linc Andersen who is a naval doctor. He winds up being assigned to PT Boat squadron. While there is some action it mainly centers around him, not the boats.

Readers of Deutermann's other surface naval warfare novels, The Commodore, Sentinels Of Fire, and Pacific Glory might be disappointed, as I was. I was expecting something more along the lines of the movie "They Were Expendable".

[David D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hooligans, by P.T. Deutermann

The fog of war forces surgical innovation

Heroism, dangerous missions, bombs, ship battles, hippocratic oath challenges, and chain of command issues all play a part in P.T. Deutermann’s “The Hooligans”, a story that the exploits of a doctor in support of naval PT missions in the Solomons Islands in the southern Pacific early in World War II. Lieutenant (j.g.) Anderson US Navy Reserve, a third year surgical student, finds himself deep in the fire and fury of combat. Chaos and mayhem begin in chapter one as the medical station is under attack from Japanese bombers and troops during which Doc Anderson must make life and death decisions while the marines around him try to protect the site. The station struggles on as the doctor gives insight into some of the things he witnesses.

The PT boats are fast, wooden hulled boats that venture out at night to disrupt Japanese shipping, but the night is the realm of the Japanese military. With only rudimentary radar for support, the boat commanders must go into battle without necessarily knowing the identities of their targets - troop transports, destroyers, or larger - and without detailed battle plans as they hit and run. Doc Anderson learns the ins and outs of the PT boats and their capabilities and their deficiencies as the boats go out and not all returning. The doc’s education allows him to participate in the local PT boat command staff meetings, even suggesting some plans based on his studies of the Civil War.

The staid naval medical command is not happy with Doc Anderson in that he is doing procedures past his educational level even though he is saving lives. Despite their attempts to remove him from the front, with the “help” of some of the local command he manages to evade from his detractors.

As the battles move from island to island in an attempt to drive the Japanese back to their home island, Doc Anderson supports larger medical efforts and gains a reputation that is not welcomed. But the war stages events that do not always work as the commanders plan. Doc Anderson adapts and continues this efforts.

The story gives many insights into the efforts of the PT boats, their commanders and crews, and the changes to their missions as the war progressed in the Solomons. This story is not always detailed in the histories in that the land battles and the big naval battles garner most of the attention. Even though fiction, this is a good companion to those other stories.

This is an excellent read.

[GRP Calgary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in a series by this author of what I call historical fiction. I have read all 7 of them in order. It is not necessary to read them in order because the history in each roughly covers the same time period but from different perspectives. They all center around the American WWII effort (mostly Navy and Marines) in the Solomans and finally in this book, a little of the Phillipines campaign. They all follow a protaganist first person through a particular role in the war (i.e. Navy destroyer officer, Navy submarine commander, fighter pilot, Navy surgeon). They are WW2 pulp fiction so anyone trying to critique the writing style is missing the point somewhat. I enjoyed them all but I would agree that the first 5 (particularly 2 through 5) were a little stronger than the last 2 (the Nugget and Hooligans). I thought the first 5 (Pacific Glory, Ghosts of Bungo Suido, Sentinals of Fire, The Commodore and the Ice Man) felt most realistic - i.e. it was just possible that the collection of events described could have actually happened to 1 person. There was no way that a navy pilot could have been in all the places and on all the ships that are part of the plot of the Nugget plot but it was still fun to read. Same thing, with The Hooligans - no way a precious navy doctor/surgeon would be allowed out into the middle of PT boat assaults the way book describes (but Deutermann uses this as a device to describe the operation of front line medical care and tactics of a PT squadron in the same book). The superfluous war romance/love interest thrown into each books is a little schlocky and probably unnecessary and reminds me of the old war movies of the 1940s and 1950s that hollywood produced like flapjacks.

All in all I really enjoyed them. If Deutermann has any more books left in him, it would be nice to see the next ones based on the WWII navy in the North Atlantic or Mediterranean.

[Viva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 5th or 6th Deutermann WW2 book and I must say I really like them. They are easy to get into and read. Though the title and blurb says this book is about MTB (motor torpedo boats) or PT boats (patrol torpedo boat), the protagonist is actually a young surgeon, a 3rd year resident who volunteered and got posted to a PT section.

He gets thrown head first into the war at Guadalcanal when casualties overwhelm the medical staff. He is forced to perform (and learn at the same time) battle trauma procedures and operations that no 3rd year resident should ever have to do. He had expected to assist qualified surgeons at most but with the help of medical corpsmen and surgery manuals he was able to learn and ultimately succeed in performing difficult procedures and saving many lives.

His by-the-book superior was perhaps jealous of his skill and temerity in working on those cases even though he had asked him to and banished him to the PT boats as their medical officer.

Through his eyes (Dr. Andersen), we are not only able to experience the Solomon Islands actions at the PT boat level but also through the eyes of a trauma surgeon. I think it's fantastic that through this series the author has been able to let us see and experience the Pacific War in its various theatres through the POVs of so many participants. Not so much the glory but the horror of it all. Especially in this book, we see the Japanese specifically targeting land hospitals, hospital ships and the injured. Many WW2 books focus on the military personnel, this is one of the very few I've seen that focus on the medical personnel.

One other thing I should mention is that this book has a romantic side plot, the only one I've seen. Perhaps it's to offset the horror of the rest of it.

[Sam Reaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

P.T. Deutermann has produced an excellent series of novels about the U.S. Navy in World War II that are well-written, gripping and full of convincing detail. This one focuses on the Solomon Islands campaign in late 1942, and like Pacific Glory, which I reviewed previously, it vividly depicts the grim reality of naval combat. Often overlooked is the heroism of the medical personnel whose job it was to deal with the appalling casualties; Navy doctors and nurses were exposed to the same perils as everyone else and did extraordinary work under extreme stress.
Lincoln Anderson is a young surgeon who joins the Navy after Pearl Harbor and quickly finds himself on Guadalcanal, dealing with endless work, supply shortages and infiltrating Japanese. Because he did not complete his residency back in the States, he is considered unqualified despite the intensive education he is getting as he contends with an endless stream of gruesome wounds; his battles with the Navy bureaucracy and hostile superiors provide what plot there is in the book. He is transferred to a PT boat squadron (the title Hooligans) hopelessly outgunned by the Japanese destroyers steaming down the Slot every night, furthering his education. There will be narrow escapes, traumatic experiences and an emotional connection with a nurse, like him striving to retain a little humanity in inhuman conditions.
It's a vivid picture of the brutality of naval warfare, the desperate fight for the Solomons early in the war and the quiet heroism of the men and women who won it. Deutermann is doing fine work in historical military fiction.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb book by Deutermann. Thank god for this author, I recently finished two steaming turds by previously highly regarded authors gone "woke," and needed a sure thing and Deutermann delivered. This book takes place in the Pacific theater at the most grim time of the island hopping campaign during the battle for Guadalcanal. In a bold and unique take Deutermann uses a doctor, in this case a surgical resident with limited experience that bucks the old guard and is a prodigy in the operating room. For his prowess he gets vilified by the Naval medical bureaucracy and relegated to the Hooligan navy. The Hooligans were absolute fearless badasses in WWII. These guys fought in wooden boats known at PT boats and always faced overwhelming odds. From Guadalcanal to the battle
of Leyte Gulf Deutermann takes the reader through various harrowing episodes. The book finished with the Hooligan navy, consisting of sixteen small PT boats, taking on the Japanese battleship formation that attacked Leyte. The Hooligans kick ass by seriously damaging a heavy cruiser and sinking a couple destroyers with torpedo runs, but pay a heavy price nine of the sixteen boats are sunk. The sailers of the nine sunken boats are either killed outright, drown, or are eaten by sharks. Only a few survivors are eventually rescued. Our intrepid doctor takes a battleship machine gun round through his helmet and while seriously wounded manages to survive. The finish of the book is simply superb and life affirming. I truly hope Deutermann is able to continue writing this superb series of WWII novels.

[John Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, full of historical details about the role of PT boats in WW2.

The first person narrator, Dr. Lincoln Andersen, gives a vivid, personal account of his service as the surgeon of a PT Boat group during 1942-1943 in the Solomon Islands. Linc is dismissed as a surgeon by Navy doctors, because he only had 3 years experience as a resident at Duke. However, he learns fast and impresses all those around him. The tactics of three very different commanders are explored in action-packed detail, along with the Linc’s personal insights on each. The PT boats were neglected when it came to the Navy’s conduct of the war, and book covers how their utility came to be appreciated.

An important part of the book deals with Linc’s assignment to the Montrose, a hospital ship. Here we learn about medical procedures during operations and Linc’s special innovative skills. A sinking of the hospital ship provides stirring, page turning action along with very personal notes on the tragedies of war. The continued action toward the end of the book is almost too much to take.

We skip ahead to 1944 and the battle in the Philippines, Linc’s heroics and surgical skill has earned him the title of Superman. He also has developed a romantic interest with Helen, a head nurse. He is severely wounded and transferred back to the US. His experience and skills are rewarded with a promotion to a surgical head.

Above all, this book has been excellently researched by P.T. Deutermann and is truly a must read for those interested in the Navy’s campaigns in the Solomon Islands during World War 2.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set from Guadalcanal to the Leyte Gulf during World War II, "The Hooligans" is an insightful and intriguing historically-based plot that opens when third year Duke University medical resident, Lincoln Andersen joins the Navy Medical Corps as a Second Lieutenant after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour.

With a shortage of doctors Andersen quickly takes on the role of trauma surgeon much to the chagrin of the senior medical officer, finding himself assigned all to quickly to the smaller, faster, PT (patrol torpedo) boats in the Hooligan Navy. His medical station constantly under attack by Japanese aircraft and troops, Andersen makes life and death decisions as his comrades-in-arms struggle to protect the site.

Fast-paced, action -packed and told from the perspective of Lincoln Andersen the story gives insight into the battles and heroism of PT boat commanders as they struggle to push the Japanese back to their main island. During this period not only does Andersen continue to help save lives but experiences a PT boat mission and participates in staff meetings adding his views to some of their plans. Although well-written and interesting as it gives a first hand look at historical naval operations during this period, it reads more like a naval documentary than a thrilling war story.

[Doug Sundseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln Anderson, a surgeon at the end of his third year of residency, volunteers for the US Navy after Pearl Harbor and ends up at Guadalcanal. Though he hasn't finished his residency, the exigencies of war result in him working as a trauma surgeon. The book follows Anderson's journey through the Solomons Campaign, starting in the Marine perimeter at Guadalcanal and then becoming the unit doctor for a motor torpedo boat squadron.

The story doesn't discuss details of combat medicine much, though it does talk about the logistics of setting up medical facilities and surviving during combat. Since Anderson isn't a board-certified surgeon, the Navy has predictable reactions to his experiences, and Deutermann describes the bureaucratic issues of navy life well.

There is some detail about the employment of MTBs in the Solomons, and good discussion of life in the squadron in that high-pressure environment, though it's seen through Anderson's eyes, which reduces the impact of the discussions.

The combat scenes are compelling and believable, reflecting the author's military experience. And the climax and denouement of the story are both very strong.

While this book doesn't have the visceral connection that the best books in this series have, it's still very good. Recommended.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loosely-organized in fast moving squadrons, PT (patrol torpedo) boats were the pesky nemesis of the formidable Japanese navy, dubbed “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” for their daring raids against warships, tankers, and transport ships.

After the Pearl Harbor raid plunges America into war, young surgical resident Lincoln Anderson enlists in the Navy medical corps. His first deployment comes in August 1942 at Guadalcanal, when after a brutal sea battle and the landing of Marines on the island, Anderson finds himself triaging hundreds of casualties under relentless Japanese air and land attacks.

But with the navy short of doctors, soon Anderson is transferred to serve aboard a PT boat. From Guadalcanal to the Solomon Islands to the climactic, tide-turning battle of Leyte Gulf, Anderson and the crew members of his boat confront submarines and surface ships, are attacked from air by the dreaded Kawanishi flying boats, and hunted by destroyers. In the end, Anderson must lead a division of boats in a seemingly-impossible mission against a Japanese battleship formation—and learn the true nature of his character.

[Patrick SG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good naval, and medical, fiction

Thought this was going to be about PT boats, which I’ve always thought would have been my choice of service should I have lived during WWII. It is, but the central character is a Navy doctor who gets attached to a boat squadron following the Guadalcanal campaign. So while it contains a lot of action and detail about the PT boats and their operations it also contains a lot of medical drama. Some familiarity with the Pacific theater in 1942 and 43, especially the Solomons and Leyte Gulf campaigns helps to follow the geography of the story, but a novice can still enjoy this without getting confused by the history. Suffice it to say it was a brutal period, and the author renders it convincingly.

The author is a retired Navy Captain and he writes well about the ships and sailor aspects. I don’t know what medical background he has, but he writes equally well about what it must have been to serve in that capacity during wartime. Had never read any of his books before, but will dip into them again.

[James Flint]

I am strictly (almost) a non-fiction reader. The cover caught my eye on my library site. What the hell, a good pot-boiler never hurts now and then. The story covers the Solomons Islands campaign in WW II. The hero is a volunteer surgeon from Duke that does things in surgery well beyond his 3rd-year (out of 6 yrs.) specialty training .

The author never lets you rest for long before introducing another horror in the plot. It probably reflects the real awfulness of the early Solomons campaign. I really found myself emotionally involved with the characters and the frequent reversal of fortunes. By the accelerated end of the book, the author does not disappoint.

I have read Samuel E. Morison's official Naval history of the era several times. Simply a dispassionate account of what happened that removes the reader from any great anguish unless actually involved. Deutermann has chops as a retired Navy Captain and really does his research. Highly recommended as a break from dry history.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. T. Deutermann manages to bring in another interesting tale of World War II in the Pacific! This time it stars Lincoln Anderson, a third year resident at Duke Medical School, who joins the Navy after Pearl Harbor. The story opens with him on Guadalcanal about to be shot by a rogue Japanese soldier. After surviving that, he get transferred to the motor torpedo boat squadron nearby as their resident doctor. Lincoln had managed to piss off the Navy doctors by being a good battlefield surgeon even though he had not completed his training. That problem dogged him the rest of his naval career which ended after the Battle of Surigao Bay when the MTBs clashed with Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers and he got a crease on his head. Plenty of adventure, plenty of action, and a portrait of the Navy not often told.

[Gary Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hooligans fictionalizes the little-known but remarkable exploits of “The Hooligan Navy” that fought in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Loosely-organized in fast moving squadrons, PT (patrol torpedo) boats were the pesky nemesis of the formidable Japanese navy, dubbed “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” for their daring raids against warships, tankers, and transport ships.
I have read a lot of PT Deutermann's book over the years and enjoyed this one . I have always been fascinated by the PT boats, probably due to John F Kennedy and his experience during WW 2. I found the story true to form and the action realistic. I had no idea that these boats were just armed up pieces of wood.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoever wrote the summary of this book must not have read it. The hero, LtJg Anderson, is a surgeon with 3 of 7 years of required residency. Nevertheless, he becomes a thoroughly superb surgeon. This book was more about his time as a surgeon.not just for the PT boat squadron. He rarely serves aboard a PT boat other than to ask to observe. The reviewer implies that Anderson is an important crew member. He is a Doc! The reviewer also says that Anderson leads the division of boats against Japanese Battleships. This is Malarkey. He did no leading..he was a Doc. This was a good book because it shows how Anderson overcame prejudice and lack of training to become a legend in the fleet medical service. In some ways the book was a little like MASH.
John V. Moore