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STRIKE: A Novel of the Battle of Midway
After a lifelong dream of flight takes him into military service, Ensign Harry Hartmann reports for duty at Pearl Harbor. He’s a “nugget,” a dive bomber pilot about to start his first deployment aboard the USS Enterprise.
Hell rains from the skies as the Japanese launch a devastating surprise attack that forces America into a bloody, global war. With the Bombing Six, Harry takes to the skies seeking vengeance and finds himself fighting for his life in breathless, high-speed aerial combat over the Marshall Islands.
After the Doolittle Raid rattles Tokyo, the Imperial Japanese Navy embarks on a bold plan to draw America’s aircraft carriers into the open, where they can be destroyed. Their Midway Island.
The Americans, however, have cracked the Japanese codes and set their own trap. With the call, “Pilots, man your planes,” Harry will join historic carrier strikes aimed at turning the tide of the Pacific War.
Strike tells a powerful and exciting story about the Battle of Midway—examining courage in the face of impossible odds, the demands of honor, and whether one man can make a difference.
Hell rains from the skies as the Japanese launch a devastating surprise attack that forces America into a bloody, global war. With the Bombing Six, Harry takes to the skies seeking vengeance and finds himself fighting for his life in breathless, high-speed aerial combat over the Marshall Islands.
After the Doolittle Raid rattles Tokyo, the Imperial Japanese Navy embarks on a bold plan to draw America’s aircraft carriers into the open, where they can be destroyed. Their Midway Island.
The Americans, however, have cracked the Japanese codes and set their own trap. With the call, “Pilots, man your planes,” Harry will join historic carrier strikes aimed at turning the tide of the Pacific War.
Strike tells a powerful and exciting story about the Battle of Midway—examining courage in the face of impossible odds, the demands of honor, and whether one man can make a difference.
- GenresHistory
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2022
About the author
Craig DiLouie
67 books1,717 followersCraig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 18, 2022
Another Ace Performance
DiLouie does it again. If you’ve read his other WW2 books, you know what to expect… well-drawn characters, expert storytelling, careful attention to historical details, and vivid, carefully researched intervals of white-hot combat. Unique to this book, I spent hours interviewing Dick Best in the 1990s snd the tone of this writing captures his character perfectly.
Craig, you’re an ace. Take us to Tokyo!
DiLouie does it again. If you’ve read his other WW2 books, you know what to expect… well-drawn characters, expert storytelling, careful attention to historical details, and vivid, carefully researched intervals of white-hot combat. Unique to this book, I spent hours interviewing Dick Best in the 1990s snd the tone of this writing captures his character perfectly.
Craig, you’re an ace. Take us to Tokyo!
April 14, 2026
Though Strike bills itself as being about the Battle of Midway, it's actually a two 'fer, starting with the attack on Pearl Harbor. It's a lot of story in a relatively short novel, and I think that it would've ultimately been better served by solely focusing on the latter.
Strike is a novel with its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, the action is told extremely well. When the story is airborne, it's white-knuckle stuff. On the other side, the rest if it is a bit uneven.
The characters are very cardboard and two dementiinal; particularly our protagonist. Thankfully he's a likeable sort, which helps to swallow some of the cheesy dialog and rather stiff interpersonal storytelling. There's also a romance crammed in which did not need to be here. It felt obligatory, and the novel's short running time means that it is very, very cliff-notes, and every moment spent on it would've been better served focusing on the main task at hand.
Still, the good far out weights the bad, and when the planes take flight my guess is that most readers will too.
Strike is a novel with its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, the action is told extremely well. When the story is airborne, it's white-knuckle stuff. On the other side, the rest if it is a bit uneven.
The characters are very cardboard and two dementiinal; particularly our protagonist. Thankfully he's a likeable sort, which helps to swallow some of the cheesy dialog and rather stiff interpersonal storytelling. There's also a romance crammed in which did not need to be here. It felt obligatory, and the novel's short running time means that it is very, very cliff-notes, and every moment spent on it would've been better served focusing on the main task at hand.
Still, the good far out weights the bad, and when the planes take flight my guess is that most readers will too.
July 9, 2022
My Dad was a tail gunner in a Halifax Bomber during WWII and that started my interest in anything to do with combat during wars. I love movies and books during different wars, battles and times. In my opinion DiLouie is one of the best, he ranks right up there with Tom Clancy and others in writing character driven, emotionally charged stories. I highly recommend this book and any of the other books written by this top notch author, if you're not a fan of this type of book he writes in many other genres.
April 7, 2025
Another Great Story!
Craig DiLouie has another wonderful story of the brave young men who flew from the USS Enterprise in WWII. He does a great job with their personal struggles and interpersonal relationships with their fellow aviators, squadron leaders and CAG. Combine this with the gripping combat descriptions these gallant men face and the difficulties and frustrations of carrier aviation and you have a great story. I admit to being a bit choked up at the ending. Good job, Craig! I would like to read about the further adventures of Harry, so add it to your "To Do List"!
Craig DiLouie has another wonderful story of the brave young men who flew from the USS Enterprise in WWII. He does a great job with their personal struggles and interpersonal relationships with their fellow aviators, squadron leaders and CAG. Combine this with the gripping combat descriptions these gallant men face and the difficulties and frustrations of carrier aviation and you have a great story. I admit to being a bit choked up at the ending. Good job, Craig! I would like to read about the further adventures of Harry, so add it to your "To Do List"!
April 3, 2022
Battle scenes were thrilling. I really got the sense of diving almost vertically from 15,000 feet though ack-ack and seeing the target bigger and bigger until the bomb was dropped, then struggling with a 5G pullout. Yikes! Excellent, well-researched details. Realistic "hurry up and wait" life in the Navy. The B story wasn't original but you can't have everything.
June 2, 2022
A great story of the air war in the Pacific.
The author has written a story of the courage and bravery that was shown by the young men who became Navy Pilots and wanted nothing more than to get revenge and defend their country from the enemy. A story full of adventure and exciting heroism.
The author has written a story of the courage and bravery that was shown by the young men who became Navy Pilots and wanted nothing more than to get revenge and defend their country from the enemy. A story full of adventure and exciting heroism.
Read
April 12, 2022Great read
Whitten and read as if you were in the cockpit. Looking forward to reading more of mr. eulogies novels!! I am sure all how read this book will agree that it is a great read.
Whitten and read as if you were in the cockpit. Looking forward to reading more of mr. eulogies novels!! I am sure all how read this book will agree that it is a great read.
May 20, 2022
Not Just Another Midway Story
This was a real page-turner. I could not wait to get back to it over the course of a week. My admiration for the aviators who flew the Dauntless is doubly reinforced.
This was a real page-turner. I could not wait to get back to it over the course of a week. My admiration for the aviators who flew the Dauntless is doubly reinforced.
July 14, 2022
Courage to win with the threat of death.
Men are challenged to do their part in the war facing various battles, while trying to solve how they feel and how to survive.
Men are challenged to do their part in the war facing various battles, while trying to solve how they feel and how to survive.
Read
July 15, 2022A Gem of a story
The story by DiLouie, as in most of his works, doesn't waste words. The story is full of action and human relationships, woven into a gem. Like many of his works, the reader is helped with maps to further visualise and follow the story's progress.
The story by DiLouie, as in most of his works, doesn't waste words. The story is full of action and human relationships, woven into a gem. Like many of his works, the reader is helped with maps to further visualise and follow the story's progress.
January 15, 2023
Main Character cast in the image of “John Wayne”
It’s main character and story is written in red style. It might appeal to 11-14 year olds but the realism and significance of the Battle of Midway is lost in the action and personality of “ Harry.”
It’s main character and story is written in red style. It might appeal to 11-14 year olds but the realism and significance of the Battle of Midway is lost in the action and personality of “ Harry.”
March 15, 2023
Exciting Telling of Aerial Combat
The beginning of WWII for the United States was a huge awakening. These early days filled with challenges is woven into a thrilling story of air combat on the USS Enterprise.
The beginning of WWII for the United States was a huge awakening. These early days filled with challenges is woven into a thrilling story of air combat on the USS Enterprise.
July 29, 2025
Outstanding
The authors knowledge of history and
Naval aviation is spot on.. The air combat scenes are thrilling and dialogue perfect and very believable. I highly recommend this book to you .
The authors knowledge of history and
Naval aviation is spot on.. The air combat scenes are thrilling and dialogue perfect and very believable. I highly recommend this book to you .
March 16, 2022
Great read
Well written about WWII naval pilots and their jobs. Very accurate and descriptive of the lives of American Naval pilots . a great read!
Well written about WWII naval pilots and their jobs. Very accurate and descriptive of the lives of American Naval pilots . a great read!
March 22, 2022
Good read
I enjoyed this book, having read many stories about the battle for Midway. The interesting part of this book is the blending of new pilots and old vets.
I enjoyed this book, having read many stories about the battle for Midway. The interesting part of this book is the blending of new pilots and old vets.
March 30, 2022
great read
Inspiration that I hope will filter through to the next generation who have forgotten how selfless action has lead to the quality of life we lead today
Inspiration that I hope will filter through to the next generation who have forgotten how selfless action has lead to the quality of life we lead today
March 30, 2022
well done story of heroes
Where ordinary men find courage within themselves to accomplish the unimaginable. And they did. Good on ya mates! God speed!
Where ordinary men find courage within themselves to accomplish the unimaginable. And they did. Good on ya mates! God speed!
April 24, 2022
True to the tradition of honoring our naval heros.
If you are interested in the history of the war in the Pacific you won't want to put this book down.
If you are interested in the history of the war in the Pacific you won't want to put this book down.
May 21, 2022
Very well written. A great mix of history and fiction. I look forward to reading more by this author. One more word needed.
May 22, 2022
Good historical novel
Seemed to to a great job by staying as close to facts as possible. I felt I was a part of the story.
Seemed to to a great job by staying as close to facts as possible. I felt I was a part of the story.
June 8, 2022
Hero
Great story of great American heroes who gave their all when it counted the most and changed the course of history.
Great story of great American heroes who gave their all when it counted the most and changed the course of history.
Read
June 9, 2022One of the Best
This is one of the better novels concerning WW II. Good story line, but very good action passages. Appreciate the authors story telling abilities.
This is one of the better novels concerning WW II. Good story line, but very good action passages. Appreciate the authors story telling abilities.
August 7, 2022
Super!!
This guy did some research!!! He wrote s great book combining facts and fiction, and all with NO typos. I look forward to more of his writings.
This guy did some research!!! He wrote s great book combining facts and fiction, and all with NO typos. I look forward to more of his writings.
September 25, 2022
Very interesting reading.
I liked the characters in this book. I have also read some of Armor books. I am interested in WWII history.
I liked the characters in this book. I have also read some of Armor books. I am interested in WWII history.
September 29, 2022
Midway
Well written and engaging account of the problems costs tragedies and heroics of the Great battle of midway ending Japan's control of the seas.
Well written and engaging account of the problems costs tragedies and heroics of the Great battle of midway ending Japan's control of the seas.
October 30, 2022
A very enjoyable book. Had read and watched films with much the same info.
Worth a read!
Worth a read!
November 18, 2022
Read this book
Wonderful book couldn't put it down very well written and really historically correct loved it worth the read. Chris to the eriter.
Wonderful book couldn't put it down very well written and really historically correct loved it worth the read. Chris to the eriter.
March 5, 2023
Great read
The book will hold your attention from the first few sentences to the very end. I personally enjoyed reading it and didn't want it to end.
The book will hold your attention from the first few sentences to the very end. I personally enjoyed reading it and didn't want it to end.
March 7, 2023
Wonderful
A super, well written story of one of the most involved periods in
US history. It was a privilege to have experienced the period through this novel.
A super, well written story of one of the most involved periods in
US history. It was a privilege to have experienced the period through this novel.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews