The “remarkable” New York Times bestseller about the battle in the Pacific that turned the tide of World War II–from the author of The Miracle of Dunkirk (Los Angeles Times). On the morning of June 4, 1942, doom sailed on Midway. Hoping to put itself within striking distance of Hawaii and California, the Japanese navy planned an ambush that would obliterate the remnants of the American Pacific … remnants of the American Pacific fleet. On paper, the Americans had no chance of winning. They had fewer ships, slower fighters, and almost no battle experience. But because their codebreakers knew what was coming, the American navy was able to prepare an ambush of its own. Over two days of savage battle, American sailors and pilots broke the spine of the Japanese war machine. The United States prevailed against momentous odds; never again did Japan advance. In stunning detail, Walter Lord, the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Day of Infamy and A Night to Remember, tells the story of one of the greatest upsets in naval history.
“Graphic and realistic . . . not an impersonalized account of moves on the chessboard of war, but] a story of individual people facing crucial problems.” —The New York Times
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I read this many, many years ago and was amazed how the pivotal battle of the War in the Pacific, turned on luck. Certainly great bravery, but everything was timing with the various attacks and the Americans hit at just the right time. But that wouldn’t have been possible if it hadn’t been for the unbelievable bravery of Torpedo Squadron 8 which …
Great book about one of the most important battles of WW II. Although I have seen the movie, this book was better, giving me an appreciation of how many pilots sacrificed their lives knowing they had no chance, but kept going anyway.
If yiu are s WWII fan, “Incredible Victory” will satisfy your interest. Lord os organized, he develops the tension leading up to the battle of Midway as it logically happened. He gives the main characters of the battle from both sides, the Japanese as well as the American chief players.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Excellent account if the Battles for Midway.
Amazing how much turned literally “on a wing and a prayer”….
The definitive work on the Battle of Midway. Lord’s writing style make the book incredibly interesting and informative with significant characters in context.
Excellent historical view of the action, well researched…
Having lived on Midway Island in the 1950s (not all that long after the war) this book made me appreciate the fact that I actually lived where so much history had taken place.
One of the very best treatments of the almost impossible turning point of the Pacific war.
A very readable story about a turning point in ww2.
The book provides information on the actual heroes of the Battle of Midway, and makes the event lifelike, not just an entry in a history book. It calls to mind the statement from Halsey that, “There are no great men; only great challenges that ordinary men must face.” The ordinary men described in the book, on both sides of the battle, …
At last I understand what happened at Midway and why it was an American victory. Interesting way of learning history. Had my high school history class been like this, I would have learned more and received better grades.
A great read even after 40 years.
Loved it!
Very interesting account of one of the decisive battles of WWII. This interesting analysis revealed how easily this huge American victory could of gone the other way and made the initial years of the Pacific War much more difficult.
A look at one of the key battles of WWII. We won a great victory more by luck and persistence then by great preparation and strategy. Key was intelligence. My father survived a year in the South Pacific largely due to the outcome of this battle. He went on to become an Army Air Forces pilot who flew 35 missions with the Eighth Air Force in 1944. …
I “knew” of the battle of Midway, but did not realize the enormous losses the fighters of both nations suffered. Wave after wave after wave of attacks, with pilots dying without even nearing the targets, and still these men attacked an almost invincible Japanese fleet. And then in the space of a few minutes, everything changed.
This was an …
Many personal stories of the people involved, on both sides. Good to read along with Prange’s Miracle at Midway
Very complete history of Midway in June 42….. was anything but a done deal with the intelligence break that made it possible. The US was very over matched but got the job done with mostly untested troops and flyers….