America's Fighting Admirals: Winning the War at Sea in World War II Hardcover – May 15, 2007

When I first encountered this book, the title made me wonder whether it was just a superficial hagiography of Bull Halsey and the gang that won the war in the Pacific. I am pleased to say that after I took a chance and purchased it, I found it to be a highly readable portrayal of the flag officers who commanded both in the Pacific and the Altantic/Mediterranean. But it was more than a recitation of who did what and when and where they did it. The author offers an insightful study of a small group of men who essentially came of age together, matured together, and through a stroke of fate led our Navy to its greatest triumphs.Although William Touhy does not explain how he defines a “fighting admiral,” he is candid in his appraisals of the men he includes and willing to criticize those he judges to have been mediocre or even inferior. Not surprisingly, there were a number of rivalries and jealousies. On the whole, I thought that Touhy did a good job of describing the different personalities of the admirals and how they contributed or detracted from each officer’s stature. Although most of his book is a retelling of the naval portions of the Second World War in broad strokes, he does tell it from the perspective of flag officers; and he also describes the earlier experiences these men had at the Naval Academy and the Naval War College. By doing this, he attempts to impart the rather insular culture in which these men thrived and some succeeded. I would have preferred a little more discussion of what their middle years in the 1920s and 1930s would have been like. In addition, I would have liked more information about the staffs they assembled after becoming admirals, e.g., what kinds of officers did they select, how their staffs interacted with the other officers on the flagships, etc.Among his strong points, Touhy provides an interesting comparison of the different challenges presented by the cross-Channel amphibious assault on the Normandy beaches and those encountered with small islands in the Pacific thousands of miles away the nearest base. On the other side of the ledger, his account of the sinking of the first Wasp, a destroyer, and the damage inflicted upon North Carolina in September 1942 attributes these disasters to two submarines – I-19 and I-15. Many other accounts describe the event as the result of a spread of six torpedoes all fired by I-19. The lack of footnotes makes it impossible to evaluate Touhy’s version.There are a few mistakes. The first Hornet was not a sister of the first Wasp (p. 42). The Kaiser had abdicated years before WWII, and the references to the Kriegsmarine as the “German Imperial Navy” are incorrect (pp. 43 & 44). As pointed out by another reviewer, Nagara was a light cruiser, not a battleship (p. 138).That said, the mistakes are minor annoyances and the insights into the admirals are worthwhile.

This book presents a good overview of all the U.S. Admirals (and some of the Japanese) that were part of all the naval battles in the Pacific. No war has seen the magnitude and scope of the Pacific war from an Naval stand point. Mr. Tuohy does a good job providing a overview of all the personalities, the tactics and combat decisions that were made as the U.S. fought it's way to the defeat of Japan. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in a good overview of the main battles and the Admirals that were involved.

Excellent review of the US Admirals who were of critical importance to the USA victory in WWII. The author isn't shy about giving his personal opinions about them but the books strength IMO ishe covers them all. From Alaska to N. Africa, from landing on Normandy to Iwo Jima Those Admirals who were responsible for getting the Marines and Army Infantry ashore get the recognition they deserve. So do the Admirals who fought the big Sea battles like Midway, Coral sea and Leyete Gulf. Admiral Morrison's epic series on WWII Navy history is has far more information for those who want an in depth and excellent education about the Navy at war. But if you want to learn about the Navies leaders in WWII this book provides a very readable digest that covers the big picture.

Based on what I've learned about the war in the pacific, this book gives a good overall view of those events. It doesn't bogged down by just reciting fact out the an official Navy record, but helps give the story of not only the battles, but the people as well. While giving the credit to the people who made the US victorious in WWII it also examines the perceived shortcomings of the major players as well, from Halsey to Spruance and so on. I consider this a good, solid account of the war in the Pacific.

just enough details and human strength to carry the allies to victory

Would really give it four and a half stars. A good, brief overview of the naval war. Felt gave new insight into several people including Spruance and Halsey. Really came to like and respect Admiral Spruance. A little difficult at times to keep each Admiral distinct from the others. Probably better read by someone with some background in WW2 history. Recommend as a pleasant reading experience.

A really well written book that describes the strengths and weaknesses as well as the decision making of the Greatest WWII Admirals. Also included is their contentious relationship with General McArthur and their different views of how the war should be prosecuted. Navy men and women will enjoy this biographical sketch of these Admirals who were in the thick of it.

The book is well written and reads easily. The subject is covered like a biography shortened to include 30 or so other guys as well. No surprises on the author's conclusions. In short, a great general study that may peak your interest to discover more about some of the lesser known admirals of both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.

Considering how vast this subject is, Tuohy makes splendid job of this. There is a broad brush to paint an overall picture which is interesting for casual readers and students alike, yet with those little interesting snippets that shows that the author knows his subject through and through. The writing is pure Pullitzer winner, direct, informative and as economical as Shakespeare, every word informs without superfluity. I recommend this book to all.On a personal note, there is none of the dreadful concatenation of words that have crept into the American version of English

An enjoyable read with the main facts presented. I would have liked more information about the admirals and more of their thought processes through quotations of their decisions during battles.