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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour | 
 enlarge | Author: James D. Hornfischer
Publisher: Bantam
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy Used: $5.00
You Save: $10.00 (67%)
New (30) Used (38) from $5.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  125 reviews
Sales Rank: 7522
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 512
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0553381482
Dewey Decimal Number: 940
EAN: 9780553381481
ASIN: 0553381482
Publication Date: March 29, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Minor wear to corners and edge of cover. "Do not sell" stamp on first page. One loose page.
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Product Description
“This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”
With these words, Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland addressed the crew of the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts on the morning of October 25, 1944, off the Philippine Island of Samar. On the horizon loomed the mightiest ships of the Japanese navy, a massive fleet that represented the last hope of a staggering empire. All that stood between it and Douglas MacArthur’s vulnerable invasion force were the Roberts and the other small ships of a tiny American flotilla poised to charge into history.
In the tradition of the #1 New York Times bestseller Flags of Our Fathers, James D. Hornfischer paints an unprecedented portrait of the Battle of Samar, a naval engagement unlike any other in U.S. history—and captures with unforgettable intensity the men, the strategies, and the sacrifices that turned certain defeat into a legendary victory.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 120 more reviews...
Ranks with Shattered Sword July 6, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
A couple of years ago, I read "Shattered Sword" (about the Battle of Midway) and proclaimed it the best WWII account of Pacific Theatre Naval history to date. I now have to say THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS by James Hornfischer ranks right beside it.
This is a brilliantly presented accounting of Halsey's folly when he let his enormous ego get in the way of following orders. The result is the death of some of the Navy's finest tin can sailors and the birth of legends in Naval history. Had Halsey been in position with the 3rd Fleet to guard San Bernardino Straits, it is quite possible that even more American lives would have been lost in the ensuing battle, but it is also quite probably that the Japanese Center Force would have also been dismantled piecemeal just as the Japanese Southern Force had been destroyed the day before.
But, as history has shown, Halsey couldn't contain his ego and went chasing after his own legacy, leaving the Straits to be guarded by the "little guys" a tiny group of escort carriers and accompanying destroyers and destroyer escorts. Hornfischer deftly tells the tale of the men of these greatly overmatched tin cans who faced down the Imperial giants. Many of them eventually paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This incredibly well researched story will have you glued to every page. The details are accurate to a flaw and riveting like no other account I have ever read. This is superbly written and also includes several pages of photos as well as maps of ship positioning during the battle. This is one of the best Naval warfare history books you will ever read.
Great Valor Should Never Be Forgotten June 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an incredible story of true courage by the men of the U.S. Navy fighting in the Pacific during World War II. Words are not equal to the valor shown by the Tin Can Sailors who battled the best ships of the Japanese Navy and turned certain destruction into an unbelieveable victory. I dread to think that our nation may one day forget the courage and sacrifice of these men. The Tin Can Sailors are a shining examples of this nation's best. Highly recommend this book.
More American Heros June 25, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
As a former Tin Can sailor it brought back a lot of good memories. I was lucky enough to come along after the second World War but as a sailor serving on Destroyers I new I was a member of a very exclusive club. Mr Hornfischer tells this story in such away that you just don't want to put the book down. We have had influx of books written on the "Greatest Generation" and this is a story that belongs with what has been written and what will be written about them.
Tin Can Sailor's Finest Hours June 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have just started reading "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors", but the more I read the more I want to read. When finished it will be taken to the next reunion of the USS SOLEY (DD707) for use as a raffle item for another Tin Can Sailor to enjoy.
KLO-Idaho June 9, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Totally amazing story. A good "history" lesson on WW II in the Pacific and the Japanese mentality.
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