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World War II Navy #9
The Last Paladin
Winner of the 2023 W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military A gripping tale of anti-submarine warfare in the World War II Pacific Theater, by a master of military adventure fiction.
The Last Paladin by P.T. Deutermann is based on the true story of the USS Holland (DE-24), a World War II Atlantic Fleet destroyer escort which has spent the past two years in the unforgiving battle for survival against the German U-boats of the North Atlantic.
Summoned to relieve destroyers that are bogged down by escort duty in the escalating Pacific Theater, the Holland is met with a rather cold reception. In the eyes of Pacific Fleet sailors, North Atlantic convoy duty pales in comparison to the bloody, carrier-sinking battles of Savo Island and Guadalcanal. However, Atlantic Fleet ships have had to specialize in one anti-submarine warfare.
The Holland is sent off into remote South Pacific operating areas with orders to find and destroy Japanese submarines―but with little expectation of success. Her commanders take the mission literally; using radio intercepts that are being ignored at higher levels, they determine that the Japanese have set up a 1000-mile-long picket line of six submarines, an entire squadron's worth, to act as a moveable barrier against the expected American advance into the next set of islands. These submarines are poised to sink every American aircraft carrier and destroyer and to change the course of the war.
What happens next is one of the legendary stories of the US Navy. The Last Paladin is high stakes naval warfare at its best, told with utter authenticity and a former ship captain's understanding of dramatic, intense combat. P. T. Deutermann continues his acclaimed series of WWII thrillers in this unforgettable novel.
The Last Paladin by P.T. Deutermann is based on the true story of the USS Holland (DE-24), a World War II Atlantic Fleet destroyer escort which has spent the past two years in the unforgiving battle for survival against the German U-boats of the North Atlantic.
Summoned to relieve destroyers that are bogged down by escort duty in the escalating Pacific Theater, the Holland is met with a rather cold reception. In the eyes of Pacific Fleet sailors, North Atlantic convoy duty pales in comparison to the bloody, carrier-sinking battles of Savo Island and Guadalcanal. However, Atlantic Fleet ships have had to specialize in one anti-submarine warfare.
The Holland is sent off into remote South Pacific operating areas with orders to find and destroy Japanese submarines―but with little expectation of success. Her commanders take the mission literally; using radio intercepts that are being ignored at higher levels, they determine that the Japanese have set up a 1000-mile-long picket line of six submarines, an entire squadron's worth, to act as a moveable barrier against the expected American advance into the next set of islands. These submarines are poised to sink every American aircraft carrier and destroyer and to change the course of the war.
What happens next is one of the legendary stories of the US Navy. The Last Paladin is high stakes naval warfare at its best, told with utter authenticity and a former ship captain's understanding of dramatic, intense combat. P. T. Deutermann continues his acclaimed series of WWII thrillers in this unforgettable novel.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2022
239 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
P.T. Deutermann
41 books300 followersP. 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 15, 2022
I enjoy reading P. T. Deutermann’s books about World War II. One of the key things I like is they are well researched. Deutermann was a naval officer and his first-hand knowledge of the navy shows. The characters are interesting and pace is fast. This book is about a ship that specialized in hunting submarines. The ship had just arrived in the Pacific from hunting U-boats in the North Atlantic.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Berkrot does a great job narrating the book. The book is nine hours and fifty-nine minutes.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Berkrot does a great job narrating the book. The book is nine hours and fifty-nine minutes.
July 12, 2022
By P.T. Deutermann, is a superb, battle-filled World War II adventure that takes place aboard the USS Holland, a lone destroyer escort on patrol in the Solomon Islands in the western Pacific Ocean during the summer of 1944—just as the two greatest armadas of the era are assembling for what historians have called The Battle of the Philippine Sea. It was the largest naval battle of steel warships in history, and it broke the back of the Imperial Japanese Fleet . . .
Told in alternating points-of-view between Lt. Cmdr. Mariano deTomasi and his Executive Officer, Lt. Ephraim “Eppy” Edmond Enright, the story begins just as the Holland arrives in the Solomons after hunting U-boats in the North Atlantic. Criticized for being thirty days late, and at just 300 feet in length, boat and crew are considered nothing more than an afterthought to the 800 vessel “Big Blue Fleet” coming toward the Japanese home islands to engage a similar sized fleet from the enemy. Rumor has it that a picket line of submarines has been established somewhere in the Philippine Sea to harass the American battle fleet and sink as many ships as possible. The Holland is sent, all by itself, to see if the phantom submarines really exist, and if so, to engage them. It’s pretty much a snipe hunt, or a suicide mission if the subs are actually there, because the small destroyer escort would have at least two full-size destroyers accompanying it on a normal mission. Undaunted, the Holland sets out on patrol, trying to guess where the end of the picket line of six submarines begins and ends. They estimate approximately 200 nautical miles between subs and set out trying to find them. Days later, as luck would have it, a naval airplane spots a submarine on station and the location is passed on to the Holland, who steams north to engage . . . and the non-stop action begins in this fight to the death between the two implacable enemies in the vast and empty Philippine Sea. If you like World War II battle action and shipboard operations, this is a novel not to be missed!!
Told in alternating points-of-view between Lt. Cmdr. Mariano deTomasi and his Executive Officer, Lt. Ephraim “Eppy” Edmond Enright, the story begins just as the Holland arrives in the Solomons after hunting U-boats in the North Atlantic. Criticized for being thirty days late, and at just 300 feet in length, boat and crew are considered nothing more than an afterthought to the 800 vessel “Big Blue Fleet” coming toward the Japanese home islands to engage a similar sized fleet from the enemy. Rumor has it that a picket line of submarines has been established somewhere in the Philippine Sea to harass the American battle fleet and sink as many ships as possible. The Holland is sent, all by itself, to see if the phantom submarines really exist, and if so, to engage them. It’s pretty much a snipe hunt, or a suicide mission if the subs are actually there, because the small destroyer escort would have at least two full-size destroyers accompanying it on a normal mission. Undaunted, the Holland sets out on patrol, trying to guess where the end of the picket line of six submarines begins and ends. They estimate approximately 200 nautical miles between subs and set out trying to find them. Days later, as luck would have it, a naval airplane spots a submarine on station and the location is passed on to the Holland, who steams north to engage . . . and the non-stop action begins in this fight to the death between the two implacable enemies in the vast and empty Philippine Sea. If you like World War II battle action and shipboard operations, this is a novel not to be missed!!
September 5, 2022
Let me be clear here...I'm a huge P.T. Deutermann fan, both his mysteries and his military historical fiction..."The Last Paladin," is one of the latter...Like many of his books dealing with the Pacific Theater naval history, "The Last Paladin" is meticulously researched and the naval operations aboard a destroyer escort ring so very true...The story of the USS Holland is based upon the exploits of the real USS England (DE-635), that was a part of an operation that rolled up 6 Japanese submarines, in very short order, after serving in the Atlantic protecting Allied convoys on their way to Europe...Loved it all, the action and the characters...GREAT STUFF!!!!
August 8, 2022
The author continues his great series of WWII novels with a very interesting true story of a "lowely" destroyer escort (DE) that was transferred to the Pacific theater from the North Atlantic. The Pacific fleet didn't know what to do with this vessel as they missed thier convoy escort duty due to maintenance upgrade delays. So the powers that be had the DE to go and keep busy for a while in a patch of the Pacific... Which they did with unexpected spectacular results!
One of my favorite parts is when our heros plan their next attack approach with the CO reminding the crew that the enemy has a vote too!
The author's turn of phrase and writing style is well thought out and makes for a fast and entertaining read.
One of my favorite parts is when our heros plan their next attack approach with the CO reminding the crew that the enemy has a vote too!
The author's turn of phrase and writing style is well thought out and makes for a fast and entertaining read.
June 12, 2022
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
The war in the Pacific Theater is at its’ zenith. The USS Holland has been in the Atlantic working with the British and has been re-outfitted and sent to the Pacific to aid in the fight against Japanese submarines.
This saga is told from both the ships’ captains’ point of view and the second in command. The story is fictional and covers the sinking of six Japanese submarines during the war. A picket line of Japanese subs is set up to warn the Imperial Navy of ship movements toward the Marianas and Solomon Islands. The crew of the USS Holland discover the submarines and set out to eliminate the threat.
Some of the history disclosed is very interesting. I found the push and pull between Admirals Spruance and Halsey to be particularly interesting. The story points out the tremendous pressure both of these fine admirals were under. The lives of countless sailors, ships, marines and army were in the balance.
The maintenance of secrecy and the health of the sailors aboard the ship is well defined. Using tools such as sonar and radar often alerted the submarines that the ship was in the area.
The story is fictional but alludes to the exploits of an actual ship the USS England (DE 635) atlhough I could not verify this ship or information. However the tension and dynamics of this story kept me involved and reading during every free moment. Enjoy the ride! 5 stars – CE Williams
The war in the Pacific Theater is at its’ zenith. The USS Holland has been in the Atlantic working with the British and has been re-outfitted and sent to the Pacific to aid in the fight against Japanese submarines.
This saga is told from both the ships’ captains’ point of view and the second in command. The story is fictional and covers the sinking of six Japanese submarines during the war. A picket line of Japanese subs is set up to warn the Imperial Navy of ship movements toward the Marianas and Solomon Islands. The crew of the USS Holland discover the submarines and set out to eliminate the threat.
Some of the history disclosed is very interesting. I found the push and pull between Admirals Spruance and Halsey to be particularly interesting. The story points out the tremendous pressure both of these fine admirals were under. The lives of countless sailors, ships, marines and army were in the balance.
The maintenance of secrecy and the health of the sailors aboard the ship is well defined. Using tools such as sonar and radar often alerted the submarines that the ship was in the area.
The story is fictional but alludes to the exploits of an actual ship the USS England (DE 635) atlhough I could not verify this ship or information. However the tension and dynamics of this story kept me involved and reading during every free moment. Enjoy the ride! 5 stars – CE Williams
June 24, 2022
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Make sure to check out the full review
Make sure to check out the full review
July 23, 2022
Recommended.
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
January 30, 2023
Very much a "guy" book-- there's not a female character in the story, for one thing. It's a technical telling of a single destroyer escort (a smaller, less armored and lighter armed ship than a regular destroyer, except for submarine hunting weapons) and a single mission it's sent out on in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. But it's told vividly and excitingly. Nobody has a crisis of conscience or even emotes very much. I liked it. Sometimes you just want an adventure.
The ship seems to be forgotten by the brass. The commander of the rear echelon port they've been sent to, from the North Atlantic as the European war is winding down, is pissed that the ship is a month late in arriving, so he sends them out on patrol by themselves. While out there, they get an "oh, by the way" bit of information from Naval Intelligence that a scout plane might, maybe have spotted a submarine at a particular location and it might be part of a picket line looking for the American fleet on its way to the Marianas or maybe the Philippines. So they decide to go see if there might be a submarine there. And that kicks off the adventure part. So, it is what it is, and it's a good read.
The ship seems to be forgotten by the brass. The commander of the rear echelon port they've been sent to, from the North Atlantic as the European war is winding down, is pissed that the ship is a month late in arriving, so he sends them out on patrol by themselves. While out there, they get an "oh, by the way" bit of information from Naval Intelligence that a scout plane might, maybe have spotted a submarine at a particular location and it might be part of a picket line looking for the American fleet on its way to the Marianas or maybe the Philippines. So they decide to go see if there might be a submarine there. And that kicks off the adventure part. So, it is what it is, and it's a good read.
May 17, 2022
Lieutenant Commander Mariano “Mike” deTomasi is the commanding officer of USS Holland, a destroyer escort based in the Pacific Theater of World War II. DeTomasi was the CO of a minesweeper that the Japanese sank at Pearl Harbor, and he has vowed vengeance for that attack and the loss of most of his crew. His executive officer, Lieutenant Eeep Enright, is a young naval reserve officer with short-lived naval experience. Together, the two face off with a squadron of Japanese subs, get their ship through a typhoon, and experience multiple attacks by Japanese planes. Will USS Holland make it out of the Pacific in one piece—and with her crew still alive?
Based on the true story of USS England—with some liberties taken, of course, as it is historical fiction!—Deutermann’s latest in his World War II series is a winner. I greatly enjoyed this book. Deutermann did a stellar job describing the ships, tactics, and—best of all—helping you get to know the men leading this ship and their concerns, successes, and failures. While his battle actions were incredibly well written, it was the typhoon incident that really won me over. Deutermann’s writing really made me feel like I was there, understanding the ship’s movements during the typhoon, experiencing the terror of the crew, and hearing what the captain felt as the ship went over, through, or under every swell. I also appreciated that, while including many of the details of the ship, its systems, and its weapons, the book was not overly technical—Deutermann did well bringing the story back to the people rather than just the technology, which happens so often in naval history.
I knocked off a star because I thought the book had a bit of a rocky start. In fact, a few chapters in, I thought to myself, “Uh oh, do I actually want to read this?” Each chapter switches back and forth between the perspective of the CO or XO—and for the first few chapters, they shared a lot of the same stories. Yes, I understand that deTomasi wanted revenge for Pearl Harbor…but do both characters have to say it several times? It got a little old. As the book continued, however, their perspectives branched out and I wasn’t reading the exact same thing over again. This book definitely improved as time went on, and I’m glad I read it.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book—another success from P.T. Deutermann, an author whose books I love to read. If you’re interested in World War II naval history, this is a book you’ll want to check out.
As a side note, at the time of the writing of this review, the online book description lists the ship as USS Hayward, but it’s USS Holland in the book I read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Based on the true story of USS England—with some liberties taken, of course, as it is historical fiction!—Deutermann’s latest in his World War II series is a winner. I greatly enjoyed this book. Deutermann did a stellar job describing the ships, tactics, and—best of all—helping you get to know the men leading this ship and their concerns, successes, and failures. While his battle actions were incredibly well written, it was the typhoon incident that really won me over. Deutermann’s writing really made me feel like I was there, understanding the ship’s movements during the typhoon, experiencing the terror of the crew, and hearing what the captain felt as the ship went over, through, or under every swell. I also appreciated that, while including many of the details of the ship, its systems, and its weapons, the book was not overly technical—Deutermann did well bringing the story back to the people rather than just the technology, which happens so often in naval history.
I knocked off a star because I thought the book had a bit of a rocky start. In fact, a few chapters in, I thought to myself, “Uh oh, do I actually want to read this?” Each chapter switches back and forth between the perspective of the CO or XO—and for the first few chapters, they shared a lot of the same stories. Yes, I understand that deTomasi wanted revenge for Pearl Harbor…but do both characters have to say it several times? It got a little old. As the book continued, however, their perspectives branched out and I wasn’t reading the exact same thing over again. This book definitely improved as time went on, and I’m glad I read it.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book—another success from P.T. Deutermann, an author whose books I love to read. If you’re interested in World War II naval history, this is a book you’ll want to check out.
As a side note, at the time of the writing of this review, the online book description lists the ship as USS Hayward, but it’s USS Holland in the book I read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 14, 2022
I am a big fan of P. T. Deutermann's World War II Navy Series. THE LAST PALADIN is a dramatic, intense tale of the Pacific theatre based on the true story about the Destroyer Escort, USS England. Deutermann's US Navy background allows him to interweave factual naval protocol with an action packed storyline.
July 5, 2022
This is for fans of Deutermann, who has a way of making WWII naval warfare come to life. The USS Holland is assigned to find Japanese submarines in the Pacific Ocean in order to help protect the larger US fleet. Lt Commander Mariano deTomasi, and Executive Officer Lt. Ephraim Edmond Enright lead the effort. You will find yourself caught up in this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Not my usual genre, to be sure, and a very good read.
August 23, 2024
Based on an unbelievable but real life story of seamanship and leadership.
June 10, 2022
P.T. Deutermann's many books chronicling the critical contributions made by the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean during WWII have, in my experience, each been very difficult to put down.
The Last Paladin is no exception to that rule. From the beginning, we find ourselves in 1944, in the midst of the great battles for Saipan, leading up to taking back the Phillipine Islands from the Japanese. We see the war through the eyes of the Captain of a destroyer escort and the Captain's Executive Officer.
The vast majority of this book focuses directly on sea battles between the destroyer escort Holland and a large number of Japanese submarines, cruisers and aircraft. Each of these encounters had me on the edge of my seat. I simply could not put the book down until I knew the fate of the ship's Captain and Executive Officer, and neither will you.
A great read, exciting and captivating, while also providing intricate detail of the operations and battle management which led to American success against Japanese forces. Can not recommend more highly.
The Last Paladin is no exception to that rule. From the beginning, we find ourselves in 1944, in the midst of the great battles for Saipan, leading up to taking back the Phillipine Islands from the Japanese. We see the war through the eyes of the Captain of a destroyer escort and the Captain's Executive Officer.
The vast majority of this book focuses directly on sea battles between the destroyer escort Holland and a large number of Japanese submarines, cruisers and aircraft. Each of these encounters had me on the edge of my seat. I simply could not put the book down until I knew the fate of the ship's Captain and Executive Officer, and neither will you.
A great read, exciting and captivating, while also providing intricate detail of the operations and battle management which led to American success against Japanese forces. Can not recommend more highly.
July 28, 2022
THE LAST PALADIN is another superb WWII tale from P. T. Deutermann. As all of his recent novels have been, it is set in the Pacific Theater. It’s the gripping story of the USS Holland, a destroyer escort, and her captain, Lieutenant Commander Mariano deTomasi.
Holland has just been transferred from the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet but, through no fault of deTomasi’s, arrives late. The ship instantly becomes the unwanted stepchild of the Pacific Fleet and is told to go out on its own and see if it can find and destroy a Japanese sub that may or may not be there, and may or may not be part of a line of picket ships. “But whatever you do,” LCDR deTomasi is told, “stay out of the way of the ‘first team,’” the PACFLT.
So right away, the reader has a character and a mission to root for. As usual, Deutermann does a masterful job at ratcheting up the suspense and yanking the reader into the story and plopping him (or her) down on the ship. Deutermann, a former naval officer and destroyer commander, knows his stuff, so every bit of the drama rings true.
I highly recommend THE LAST PALADIN.
Holland has just been transferred from the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet but, through no fault of deTomasi’s, arrives late. The ship instantly becomes the unwanted stepchild of the Pacific Fleet and is told to go out on its own and see if it can find and destroy a Japanese sub that may or may not be there, and may or may not be part of a line of picket ships. “But whatever you do,” LCDR deTomasi is told, “stay out of the way of the ‘first team,’” the PACFLT.
So right away, the reader has a character and a mission to root for. As usual, Deutermann does a masterful job at ratcheting up the suspense and yanking the reader into the story and plopping him (or her) down on the ship. Deutermann, a former naval officer and destroyer commander, knows his stuff, so every bit of the drama rings true.
I highly recommend THE LAST PALADIN.
May 19, 2022
Another Great War novel by Deutermann! The story is action packed and keeps your attention. You will not want to put this book down ! A must read for fans of Deutermann.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2022
I'm a history buff that loves to read historical novels. And I very much enjoy reading historical novels about World War II. And this one was top notch. Some might say that times it got a little technical about the tactics used in anti-submarine warfare, but I was able to follow it without any problems. If you like historical novels about this time in history, pick this up! You won't regret it!
July 23, 2022
Incredible story. As a former/old ASWO, I enjoyed the journey back to what it must have been like in WWII. The action was constant, and the character development of both CO and XO was spot on. I enjoyed the inclusion of actual ships from the period into the story line. There really was a USS COGSWELL. 44 years after the actions described, I was Ops Officer in USS COPELAND, named for one of the heroic COs of a DE at the Battle off Samar. You can’t miss with CAPT Deutermann. Best description of life and challenges at sea since Scorpion in The Sea.
July 23, 2022
Reading a Deutermann book is like mainlining adventure.
Reading a Deutermann book is like mainlining adventure, especially for a former officer. If I knew the USN was this exciting I might have made different choices. I would be glad to serve under his command.
Reading a Deutermann book is like mainlining adventure, especially for a former officer. If I knew the USN was this exciting I might have made different choices. I would be glad to serve under his command.
September 22, 2022
I have loved Mr. Deutermann's other WWII books but this one never drew me in. I did not care for the style of alternating chapter viewpoints back and forth between the Captain and his XO. It really loses the drama.
December 27, 2023
The Last Paladin is my first time reading Deutermann. As a military history buff and occasional fan of naval fiction, he's been on my radar for some time. While this isn't the first in his series of World War 2 naval fiction novels, from what I understand, there's no ongoing narrative or continuing characters (or if there are, it doesn't really affect the readability of the story) between the books, so it's pretty much a series in name only (and this was the only one of the series available from my library's ebook collection at the moment). Anyway, the story follows the destroyer-escort U.S.S. Holland on its first tour of duty in the Pacific after spending the previous two years escorting convoys in the North Atlantic. Having arrived to their duty-station late (not their fault, due to yard-work going long) and being from the Atlantic Fleet, the Holland and its crew are ugly ducklings among the battle-hardened Pacific fleet veterans and as a mere destroyer-escort, the Holland is pretty much superfluous to the looming offensive to capture the Marianas, so, having missed the convoy it was supposed to be escorting, the Holland is given the job of boring a hole in the middle of the Philippine Sea... and intel says there might be a picket line of Japanese submarines in the area, so look into that. Except that it turns out that there IS a picket line, waiting to signal the Japanese fleet to sortie against Admiral Spruance's offensive, and having spent the past two years playing cat and mouse with U-Boats, this is a task at which the Holland actually has a good chance to make a difference. Not only that but the commander of the Holland is a 2nd generation Sicilian-American who watched his men gunned down in the waters of Pearl Harbor by Japanese zeroes and has dedicated himself to a vendetta against the Japanese, and with no leash and a chance to hunt and kill Japanese subs, he has no intention of letting such an opportunity slip by.
All in all, I enjoyed The Last Paladin. I'm not sure about the title, something like Vendetta at Sea or Sea of Blood or The Stiletto's Bite would probably have been more appropriate; Paladin implies a white knight out to lead the charge and save the day, and Captain deTomassi (I think that was the spelling, my apologies if not, I have no desire to spark a blood feud with any Sicilians) is more Captain Ahab, though I use the comparison liberally, as he's not stupid or suicidal or thoughtless of his men's safety, but he REALLY wants to kill Japanese. My main point of detraction is that for a book about a single ship hunting down and destroying subs, there's surprisingly little tension. I quite enjoyed Forrester's The Good Shepherd (although I read it a long time ago, probably over 2 decades at this point as I think my big Forrester kick was in the late 1990's and early 2000's after the Hornblower miniseries came out) and I've long been a fan of WW2 sub v. destroyer movies (Run Silent Run Deep, Enemy Below, Das Boot, U-571, etc.) and frankly, there's surprisingly little of that here. The battle scenes are generally pretty quick and mostly go as planned with very little of the usual cat and mouse and more shooting fish in a barrel. There are good story reasons for this, but it's still kind of disappointing.
Another point that I didn't really like was that Deutermann has two protagonists (which is fine, conceptually), and he has the two of them repeat information to the audience (which is not fine). For example, early on in the book, we have the XO candidly explain about the Captain's blood feud, and then (the very next chapter IIRC) the Captain reiterates all the same information, perhaps with more detail, but largely it's just the same info. If the author had spaced this out so that the Captain did this later in the book to emphasize a dramatic moment or something, sure, that could work, but it's nothing of the sort, we're just getting introduced to our characters and the XO is like "Oh, the captain wants the Japanese DEAD: here's why" and then the next chapter (it alternates between the two POV's) the Captain is like "everybody thinks I have a vendetta and I DO, and here's why," and it doesn't DO anything for the reader. We KNOW, it was JUST explained to us. I did feel like this got better later in the book as the two perspectives dovetailed better, but this just highlighted that in this case, I really don't think multiple perspectives were necessary. Because the two officers were aboard the same ship most of the book, they largely agreed with each other, and one had a fairly bland personality, there was no real need for different perspectives since most of the time, the two perspectives were functionally identical. if I didn't pay attention to whether it said CO or XO at the beginning of the chapter, it was easy to forget who I was actually following, and it would probably have been better to just use a single POV and make it easier to avoid repetition.
Still, this is perfectly functional naval fiction, not particularly tense or evocative, but entertainingly martial and with a good grasp of the tactics and technology of the era, and I'd certainly not be averse to reading other books by Deutermann.
All in all, I enjoyed The Last Paladin. I'm not sure about the title, something like Vendetta at Sea or Sea of Blood or The Stiletto's Bite would probably have been more appropriate; Paladin implies a white knight out to lead the charge and save the day, and Captain deTomassi (I think that was the spelling, my apologies if not, I have no desire to spark a blood feud with any Sicilians) is more Captain Ahab, though I use the comparison liberally, as he's not stupid or suicidal or thoughtless of his men's safety, but he REALLY wants to kill Japanese. My main point of detraction is that for a book about a single ship hunting down and destroying subs, there's surprisingly little tension. I quite enjoyed Forrester's The Good Shepherd (although I read it a long time ago, probably over 2 decades at this point as I think my big Forrester kick was in the late 1990's and early 2000's after the Hornblower miniseries came out) and I've long been a fan of WW2 sub v. destroyer movies (Run Silent Run Deep, Enemy Below, Das Boot, U-571, etc.) and frankly, there's surprisingly little of that here. The battle scenes are generally pretty quick and mostly go as planned with very little of the usual cat and mouse and more shooting fish in a barrel. There are good story reasons for this, but it's still kind of disappointing.
Another point that I didn't really like was that Deutermann has two protagonists (which is fine, conceptually), and he has the two of them repeat information to the audience (which is not fine). For example, early on in the book, we have the XO candidly explain about the Captain's blood feud, and then (the very next chapter IIRC) the Captain reiterates all the same information, perhaps with more detail, but largely it's just the same info. If the author had spaced this out so that the Captain did this later in the book to emphasize a dramatic moment or something, sure, that could work, but it's nothing of the sort, we're just getting introduced to our characters and the XO is like "Oh, the captain wants the Japanese DEAD: here's why" and then the next chapter (it alternates between the two POV's) the Captain is like "everybody thinks I have a vendetta and I DO, and here's why," and it doesn't DO anything for the reader. We KNOW, it was JUST explained to us. I did feel like this got better later in the book as the two perspectives dovetailed better, but this just highlighted that in this case, I really don't think multiple perspectives were necessary. Because the two officers were aboard the same ship most of the book, they largely agreed with each other, and one had a fairly bland personality, there was no real need for different perspectives since most of the time, the two perspectives were functionally identical. if I didn't pay attention to whether it said CO or XO at the beginning of the chapter, it was easy to forget who I was actually following, and it would probably have been better to just use a single POV and make it easier to avoid repetition.
Still, this is perfectly functional naval fiction, not particularly tense or evocative, but entertainingly martial and with a good grasp of the tactics and technology of the era, and I'd certainly not be averse to reading other books by Deutermann.
August 21, 2022
Another outstanding rousing yarn from P.T. Deutermann. As a former destroyer Captain in the United States Navy Deutermann is in a unique position to write nautical fiction from the eye of someone who has been there and done that. Why is this bit of tid significant you ask? Because this novel is the fictionalized account of the U.S.S. England destroyer escort that in the course of 12 days during the Pacific campaign of WWII sank SIX Japanese Submarines in 12 days. Yes you read that correctly. While our surface fleet was kicking Jap ass all across the Pacific the Japanese attempted to use a submarine picket over several hundred miles to help determine our next big strike. The Japanese had fairly correctly figured out our next big push was going to be either the Marianas Islands (which includes Guam) or the Philippines. Well enter out intrepid destroyer escort, which is a cut down destroyer specifically used to hunt submarines. A D.E. as they are known as, sports 3" gun mounts instead of the more traditional 5" destroyer mounts. Also, this D.E. has a wicked underwater explosive known as a hedgehog. The hedgehog, unlike a depth charge only explodes on contact meaning when you hear a bang it is indeed a very bad day for the Jap submarine. As Deutermann points out at the end of the book the average depth charge attack requires 60 passes! The average hedgehog attack requires only SIX. This is a phenomenal story told in a rip roaring fashion by one of the best WWII nautical fiction authors EVER. Read it you will not be disappointed.
October 9, 2025
I have just discovered this author and being a reader of historical, military fiction I have not come across him before. Generally, the writing is easy to read and follow without any slow parts. This particular book, I couldn't stop reading it and finished it in a day or so.
Basically this is the best small ship WW2 book I've ever read, even better than CS Forester's few WW2 books which I considered the benchmark before. It follows the mission of a Buckley class(?) destroyer escort which had switched from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. The DE ships were smaller and cheaper versions of destroyers whose main mission was to protect convoys against submarines.
In this book, the USS Holland arrives late to its mission due to shipyard issues and is asked/left to patrol by itself for a few weeks. It's sent to an area where a rumored/possible Japanese submarine picket line exists. This picket line is supposed to be there to watch for the advance of a US navy fleet.
By skill and fortune it manages to sink the first Japanese sub. What follows is one of the best depictions of a DE in action in WW2. The characters are just done right focusing on just two: the captain and the executive officer. (Some authors try to overpopulate the character list.)
The action is realistic and powerful. I'm amazed that with the breadth of his WW2 stories the author manages to accurately portray so many technical details. The author's note does say this was based on a real life happening. Highly recommended. I'm now on the next book.
Basically this is the best small ship WW2 book I've ever read, even better than CS Forester's few WW2 books which I considered the benchmark before. It follows the mission of a Buckley class(?) destroyer escort which had switched from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. The DE ships were smaller and cheaper versions of destroyers whose main mission was to protect convoys against submarines.
In this book, the USS Holland arrives late to its mission due to shipyard issues and is asked/left to patrol by itself for a few weeks. It's sent to an area where a rumored/possible Japanese submarine picket line exists. This picket line is supposed to be there to watch for the advance of a US navy fleet.
By skill and fortune it manages to sink the first Japanese sub. What follows is one of the best depictions of a DE in action in WW2. The characters are just done right focusing on just two: the captain and the executive officer. (Some authors try to overpopulate the character list.)
The action is realistic and powerful. I'm amazed that with the breadth of his WW2 stories the author manages to accurately portray so many technical details. The author's note does say this was based on a real life happening. Highly recommended. I'm now on the next book.
September 23, 2022
Read My Full Review at BEST THRILLER BOOKS
P.T. Deutermann adds another breathtaking adventure to his collection that will be sure to leave you pleased. The Last Paladin drives home heroism detailing the naval battles of legend. Deutermann leaves nothing to imagination as he vividly outlines the terror of war time combat and will leave you rooting for the little ship that could from start to finish.
We follow the harrowing tales of the USS Holland, a Destroyer Escort coming from the Atlantic fleet to the Pacific Ocean to assist in the maritime fight during World War 2. Through the lens of the Commanding Officer Mariano deTomasi and Executive Officer Ephraim Enright, the story tells of the scars that must be endured following the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor. The Holland is being reassigned to a different coast to help support war efforts and deTomasi and his genius XO Enright (who goes by EEEP) begin the daunting yet critical task of anti-submarine warfare operations. With hundred ship formations off...
Don't forget to check out the full review!!
P.T. Deutermann adds another breathtaking adventure to his collection that will be sure to leave you pleased. The Last Paladin drives home heroism detailing the naval battles of legend. Deutermann leaves nothing to imagination as he vividly outlines the terror of war time combat and will leave you rooting for the little ship that could from start to finish.
We follow the harrowing tales of the USS Holland, a Destroyer Escort coming from the Atlantic fleet to the Pacific Ocean to assist in the maritime fight during World War 2. Through the lens of the Commanding Officer Mariano deTomasi and Executive Officer Ephraim Enright, the story tells of the scars that must be endured following the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor. The Holland is being reassigned to a different coast to help support war efforts and deTomasi and his genius XO Enright (who goes by EEEP) begin the daunting yet critical task of anti-submarine warfare operations. With hundred ship formations off...
Don't forget to check out the full review!!
February 17, 2024
The Last Paladin: A Novel by P. T. Deutermann
Another excellent novel loosely based on the actual Pacific War.
Mr. Deutermann has written another in his series on the Pacific War, all based on actual events but changed significantly in detail. This is actually the second to focus on destroyer types, since he earlier wrote of the gallantry of the radar picket line at Okinawa. I guess since he commanded a destroyer in the 1980’s that focus makes sense, but he’s also featured fleet carriers and the PT boats.
In this latest, it’s based on the story of the USS England sinking six Japanese submarines in a short period of time. The backstory about being a veteran of the Atlantic anti submarine campaign alongside the RN is just made up, as are some of the details (England had all three of her 3” guns) but the story rings true. He should also know that USS New Jersey has an internal armor belt so nobody can stand on the top of it outside the ship. But that’s just a silly quibble on my part. Some of the other ships he features were real, others fictional, but all are rendered realistically.
As usual with his novels you will find yourself emotionally caught up with the men pushed to the breaking point. I completely recommend it and look forward to what ever he does next.
Another excellent novel loosely based on the actual Pacific War.
Mr. Deutermann has written another in his series on the Pacific War, all based on actual events but changed significantly in detail. This is actually the second to focus on destroyer types, since he earlier wrote of the gallantry of the radar picket line at Okinawa. I guess since he commanded a destroyer in the 1980’s that focus makes sense, but he’s also featured fleet carriers and the PT boats.
In this latest, it’s based on the story of the USS England sinking six Japanese submarines in a short period of time. The backstory about being a veteran of the Atlantic anti submarine campaign alongside the RN is just made up, as are some of the details (England had all three of her 3” guns) but the story rings true. He should also know that USS New Jersey has an internal armor belt so nobody can stand on the top of it outside the ship. But that’s just a silly quibble on my part. Some of the other ships he features were real, others fictional, but all are rendered realistically.
As usual with his novels you will find yourself emotionally caught up with the men pushed to the breaking point. I completely recommend it and look forward to what ever he does next.
July 18, 2025
In truth I rate The Last Paladin 2.5 out of 5. But Goodreads only offers the ability to rate in whole numbers, so I had a decision to make. Do I rate it a 2 or a 3? The context of a review would shed light on why I rated it such, but to someone just scrolling by, the difference between the two is significant. Ultimately I went with a 3, feeling that the sincere effort that Deutermann gives here (and in all of his novels in my experience) is worth rounding up for.
As usual, Deutermann gives the story an authenticity with his extensive knowledge of the tactics, jargon and equipment used. He also does a pretty good job of creating an atmosphere for his characters to inhabit. Unfortunately, the story here is a bit too simple and way, way too repetitive. Far from a white-knuckle, hide-n-seek thriller, The Last Paladin is a rather dull rinse and repeat series of vignettes that don't really add up to much.
The alternating POV between chapters, allowing us to get into the head space of the (somewhat) Captain Ahab-like motivations of the C.O. and his more pragmatic X.O. works pretty well, but both characters are very two-dimensional and ultimately not very compelling. Unfortunately the same can be said about the story they inhabit.
As usual, Deutermann gives the story an authenticity with his extensive knowledge of the tactics, jargon and equipment used. He also does a pretty good job of creating an atmosphere for his characters to inhabit. Unfortunately, the story here is a bit too simple and way, way too repetitive. Far from a white-knuckle, hide-n-seek thriller, The Last Paladin is a rather dull rinse and repeat series of vignettes that don't really add up to much.
The alternating POV between chapters, allowing us to get into the head space of the (somewhat) Captain Ahab-like motivations of the C.O. and his more pragmatic X.O. works pretty well, but both characters are very two-dimensional and ultimately not very compelling. Unfortunately the same can be said about the story they inhabit.
November 5, 2022
I recently finished Ian Toll's excellent trilogy covering the war in the Pacific. When I saw this book in the New Titles section, I was really excited to read a well-rated novel about anti-submarine warfare. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book nearly as much as I had hoped. The story is told in alternating first person between the commanding officer and the executive officer, a device that perhaps worked less well than intended. It resulted in virtually no depth to any of the other characters, while the CO and XO came off a bit stereotyped and mono-dimensional as well (one is of Sicilian descent and obsessed with revenge for Pearl Harbor and the other is a technical geek more analytical all Spock). The actually action sections were curiously flat and brief. I had intended to criticize the novel for its lack of credibility about the actual plot developments, but Mr Deutermann allayed some of that by including a note that a very similar scenario had played out in the actual war. Deutermann is a very popular and prolific writer so I don't worry too much about my less than stellar review, and it seems that other readers liked it just fine.
December 13, 2022
Summoned to relieve destroyers that are bogged down by escort duty in the escalating Pacific Theater, the Holland is met with a rather cold reception. In the eyes of Pacific Fleet sailors, North Atlantic convoy duty pales in comparison to the bloody, carrier-sinking battles of Savo Island and Guadalcanal. However, Atlantic Fleet ships have had to specialize in one thing: anti-submarine warfare.
The Holland is sent off into remote South Pacific operating areas with orders to find and destroy Japanese submarines—but with little expectation of success. Her commanders take the mission literally; using radio intercepts that are being ignored at higher levels, they determine that the Japanese have set up a 1000-mile-long picket line of seven submarines, an entire squadron's worth, to act as a moveable barrier against the expected American advance into the next set of islands. These submarines are poised to sink every American aircraft carrier and destroyer and to change the course of the war.
The Holland is sent off into remote South Pacific operating areas with orders to find and destroy Japanese submarines—but with little expectation of success. Her commanders take the mission literally; using radio intercepts that are being ignored at higher levels, they determine that the Japanese have set up a 1000-mile-long picket line of seven submarines, an entire squadron's worth, to act as a moveable barrier against the expected American advance into the next set of islands. These submarines are poised to sink every American aircraft carrier and destroyer and to change the course of the war.
December 14, 2022
EB: I have been reading CAPT Deutermann’s books since about 1981 when I picked up then CDR D’s “The Ops Officer’s Manual” which I purchased for the then exorbitant price of $13.56 from the Naval War College Bookstore (receipt is still in the book). As the author freely admits, “The Last Paladin” the USS Holland recount a fictional version of the actual exploits of the USS ENGLAND (ref. Theodore Roscoe’s “UNITED STATES DESTROYER OPERATIONS IN WORLD WAR II” pages 397-401) a destroyer escort that destroyed six Japanese submarines acting as a picket line to detect the US Fleet’s movements toward the Marianas Islands. Though the ENGLAND acted as the key killing unit of a three-ship task unit, Holland for the most part, and for dramatic effect, fights mostly alone.
Though the command triad did not exist as a management concept in WWII, the author spends a good deal of time describing the relationship between the captain and his XO, as well as the relationship with the chief’s mess. Good and quick read.
Though the command triad did not exist as a management concept in WWII, the author spends a good deal of time describing the relationship between the captain and his XO, as well as the relationship with the chief’s mess. Good and quick read.
June 7, 2023
pal· a· din
1: a trusted military leader
2: a leading champion of a cause
This reads like a Horatio Hornblower novel for World War II and it’s based on fact. Forty chapters alternating with the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer telling the saga of the USS Holland arriving for duty at Tulagi after spending the first years of the war in the Atlantic Fleet on convoy duty. It’s a destroyer escort whose primary mission is anti-submarine warfare. The Holland gets quite an earful upon joining the Pacific Fleet and is not made welcome. She’s assigned to steam independently and not integrated into the local squadron. So the Holland sets its own agenda and quickly becomes a superstar earning recognition from Admiral Spruance. A great story, engaging characters, and a lesson on tactics, procedures, and life at sea aboard a modern warship.
1: a trusted military leader
2: a leading champion of a cause
This reads like a Horatio Hornblower novel for World War II and it’s based on fact. Forty chapters alternating with the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer telling the saga of the USS Holland arriving for duty at Tulagi after spending the first years of the war in the Atlantic Fleet on convoy duty. It’s a destroyer escort whose primary mission is anti-submarine warfare. The Holland gets quite an earful upon joining the Pacific Fleet and is not made welcome. She’s assigned to steam independently and not integrated into the local squadron. So the Holland sets its own agenda and quickly becomes a superstar earning recognition from Admiral Spruance. A great story, engaging characters, and a lesson on tactics, procedures, and life at sea aboard a modern warship.
May 7, 2025
In the run-up to the invasion of the Marianas, an Atlantic Fleet destroyer escort is transferred to the Central Pacific. For various reasons, she is sent to what is thought to be an empty part of the ocean, because an Atlantic Fleet DDE isn't all that useful in the air-combat-dominated Pacific.
And, of course, it turns out that the area isn't all that empty.
Deutermann is at his best when writing about surface combatants, and this is grooved right down the middle of his strike zone. He has both the writing and technical knowledge to present tense escort combat believably and compellingly, he understands the personnel issues on a small ship, and he places the action well in the wider context of the mid-war Pacific campaigns.
Excellent military fiction that is highly recommended.
And, of course, it turns out that the area isn't all that empty.
Deutermann is at his best when writing about surface combatants, and this is grooved right down the middle of his strike zone. He has both the writing and technical knowledge to present tense escort combat believably and compellingly, he understands the personnel issues on a small ship, and he places the action well in the wider context of the mid-war Pacific campaigns.
Excellent military fiction that is highly recommended.
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