Calculated Risk: The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand

by J. Eugene Porter

America is being pushed back by the Axis powers. In Europe, the Germans are moving their massive armies deeper into Russia. Rommel is driving the British back into Egypt. Along the East Coast, the United States seems powerless to stop the slaughter of ships from Nazi U-boats. The Pacific is turning into a Japanese controlled sea. But the Americans have just blunted the attack on Port Moresby at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Now the United States Navy faces a new threat aimed directly at their few remaining aircraft carriers and the strategic island of Midway. Admiral King’s Science Team is sent to help the beleaguered forces in the Pacific turn the tide and stop the Japanese advance. Strategies based upon newly developed intelligence and gut hunches drive the outnumbered Americans to attack the enemy and prepare to counter their next push in the southwest Pacific on a jungle island named Guadalcanal.

409 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2020

Reviews

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One would think that there was a war going on

Interesting story that was thoroughly researched and written. Although to Hong for this one served in the Korean. I knew several who did love through Guadalcanal.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logistics, logistics, logistics the bane of battle. You cannot do the job if you do not have the stuff. The US enters WW2 virtually unprepared. The challenge is to hold things together until we can create sufficient military might and the infrastructure to supply it. Inept leadership abounds but President Roosevelt finds two hard rocks to build on in Ernie King and George Marshall. The US Navy suffers its greatest defeat ever at Savo Island and the Marines invade Guadalcanal on a shoestring. Lots of work ahead for the Science Team. This series continues to add a different and interesting perspective to old history.

[Thomas D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing A Great Series: Covering 2 Great Naval Battles That Turn The War In the Pacific From Defence To Ofence

A cast of characters that you just have to love and follow the the major challenges required to attain victory in the pacific, from reading the Japanese' Mail to learning their intentions & Strategies, to overcoming the military politics, the lack combat experience, poor planning & poor command & competence & more. There are great lessons from these experiences for the reader to gain.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third Saga

This third part of the saga kept me on the edge of my seat. I know the war story but it is the people the author has introduced which makes the story so interesting. They all seem so real. I look forward to the next book. This is a great series for any e who enjoys WW2books.

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCELLENT history lesson.

The research this book entailed was AWESOME, BUT by the time I got into the third book in the series I could have definitely done without the redundancy of how in awe everyone was of James Brand and all the Science Team, etc., etc., etc.half the book seemed to be cut and paste.

[CATHY BARBER · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Serirs

Eugene Porter has presented us with a well written and fun reading series with enough truth and great characters to make it impossible to put down. I am waiting for the next novel in the series. Read all of the novels and enjoy!

[EDWARD A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great WWII novel.

This is a well researched and lively novel about the early stages of World warII .
Enjoyed the characters and liked the author’s description of the historical figures.

[Frank Langman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting book by author

The book is so well written that you feel like you are actually where the battle is taking place. It was difficult to put the book down.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

[Steven P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Decent cover of two of the major battles in the Pacific. It was nice to see the emphasis shifting from Brand to other characters

[Carl Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb war story

Lots of detail. Lots of courage battles losses and confusion. Sounds historically accurate and a fine read altogether. Thank you.

[David Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3

I have been reading about WWII for 60 years now and J Eugene Porters series is as good as it gets 3 books down 7 more to go