Battle for Leyte Gulf

In many ways it was the death struggle of the Japanese Navy.C. Vann Woordward’s account of the battle of Leyte Gulf is thrilling military history, chronicling the final clash between the U.S. and Japanese fleets near the Philippine Islands that would ultimately give Allied forces hegemony over the Pacific seas. The scale of the battle is epic as battleships, carriers, destroyers, submarines, and aircraft duel, and Woodward offers a detailed (but amazingly comprehensible) account of the fight� [...]

Very detailed description of a complex battleThe level of detail in this book is excellent. It is well written, but required me to read some parts for a second time, just to make sure I understood it. That is not the fault of the author, for this was the largest battle of the war. It stretched out over three days and hundreds of miles of complicated territory. The information gathered from the Japanese commanders really helped in understanding why they acted in ways which seemed puzzling at the [...]

I'm no judge of military history, but I enjoyed this book and learning of the strategy and tactics of a very decisive 4 days during WWII. War is hell, but it's also very stupid. I don't think we'll ever learn.

The battle for Leyte Gulf could very easily have turned out differently. The Japanese had designed a strategy that succeeded in pulling the bulk of U.S. naval forces away from the critical San Bernadino Strait that gave Japanese Central Force under Admiral Kurita the opportunity to thwart our landings in the Philippines.C. Vann Woodward gives us a moment-by-moment and battle-by-battle account of what was in fact our largest naval engagement in World War II, one which finished off the Japanese Na [...]

Very good storyThe story line is very important to me as I now know how my brother died during the battle and was buried at sea. i was to young to really know what it was all about. he was in the navy on the Birmingham.

"The Battle for Leyte Gulf" is a detailed account of the various actions and strategies employed by the Japanese navy in its last great sortie and attempt to prevent the American landings in the Philippines, October 1944. To this end the Japanese high command deviced a cunning plan involving four separate task forces attacking from different directions in an attempt to lure out the defenders to sea and then deal decisive blows against the American landing forces.The book focuses on the events of [...]

My Father was aboard the USS Princeton when it was sunk by the Japanese during the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Dad never talked much about his wartime experiences. This book was my first in-depth exposure these three days and the important role they played in ending the Japanese naval threat for the duration of the war. Now I'm wanting to read the book focusing in depth on the sinking of the Princeton, the heroic attempts to save her and the rescue/recovery efforts which kept losses to a minimum. The [...]

Wrtten in 1947, this book offers a straightforward view of the last great naval battle in the Pacific. Perhaps because of its timing, certain things are featured while other areas are skimmed over. I would have liked to have learned more about Halsey's controversial decision to go after the Japanese carriers without providing cover for San Bernardino Strait. The author mentions this, but does not go into it in any detail. He does not even mention the infamous "The world wonders." signal from Nim [...]

Pluses:Well researched and documentedInformative and educationalCaptured the drama of the various battlesNegatives:Personally found it a hard read. Narrative style often closely resembled military documents writing style.Difficult for me to follow the battles. Too many ships, commanders, evasive moves, and attacks. The Abbott and Costello routine of "Who is on first", came to mind. I simply could not keep track all the movements and was often confused and/or overwhelmed with the action.

This book is a liiiiiitle bit racist and nearly impenetrable unless you already have an encyclopedic knowledge of all the various military personnel involved as well as all the aircraft and ships. I don't think it's a good idea to still refer to the "Oriental mind" as if that was a thing. The author's insistence on calling the Japanese "the enemy" and his occasional use of racial slurs diminish the experience of reading what was already a confusing storm of dense facts recited in a dry voice.

Somewhat dated - published only a couple of years after WWII, before a lot of information from Japanese archives had been found, and more importantly before the cracking of Japanese naval codes was revealed. Also surprisingly lacking in details from veterans.Also refers to the Japanese as "The Enemy" and the US forces as "Our forces", which took some getting used to.Still a useful history, I did learn a thing or two.

Loved the book. Incredible account of the Leyte Gulf Battle. I wish there had been more on the sinking/scuttle of the Battleship Yamato. Having always had a fascination with that WW II dreadnought, it was one of the main reasons I had picked the book up. In any event, it's a must read for any naval war buff.

Fraught with the vagaries of war.This narrative of the largest as wellas the longest naval battle of World War II gives evidence that the admirals of Japan already knew that the war was already lost and it would seem that these men were just going through the motions that were expected of them.

I read this book because I served on the Destroyer USS Johnston which was named after the original USS Johnston which was sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The book is incredible in the extent of the on the scene sources used. An impressive look at the battle.

Detailed HistoryAnother example, among many, of the aptly named "The Greatest Generation". A generation of farmers, store clerks, mechanics and factory workers saved our democracy. I speak English and am a free man because of them.

While this account was written before revelations about allied breaking of Japanese codes of is a great account of the last naval battle of the Pacific war.

A very detailed account of the naval battle for Leyte Gulf. It's hard to imagine a book more detailed about this battle in existence.

A reasonable balance of detail and readability

This book gave a great account in describing one of the heroic sea battles of WWII. Highly recommend and worthy of your time.

Bravery-Courage

Good factual account of a great battle.