Midway Magic

I found out about this book from a History Channel program of the same name. The program and this book are both excellent and provide a very compelling and interesting examination of this unique warship.

I had no idea any ship's crew could be so accomplished! Midway Magic is a friendly read about a unique ship. Crew stories blend nicely with facts and figures. Some periods of time were skipped over, but I often found myself wondering what adventure would next befall the crew. And it's nonfiction! Heartily recommend.

Midway Magic uniquely captures the previously untold story of the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history. It's a must read for anyone interested in an unusual perspective of the world affairs of the latter half of the 20th century. Author Scott McGaugh clearly has done his homework, blending interviews with direct research from Washington, DC, to CINCPACFLEET in Hawaii. Midway Magic is a great read that will have the reader turning pages, particularly in the second half of the book as Midway navigates Vietnam, Operation Frequent Wind, detente, Desert Storm, and a final rescue mission. A great story of American dedication, told in a compelling, friendly manner that will make you proud to be an American. I heartily recommend it.

This is a great book, very well written, and it was as if the author was there as a crew member telling of the events of the life of this ship as they unfolded through the 46-year history of the USS Midway. It pleases me he did his research so well; the book lists his sources. Having served on this remarkable carrier during Vietnam, as I read it a lot of memories came flooding back. It's a very accurate, concise narrative of a great Lady's history, start to finish, truly a description of what `Midway Magic' was and actually still is. The magic affected me then, and it still affected me as I saw that great ship as She appeared before my eyes in San Diego on Harbor Boulevard recently as I toured her as a museum. Her 'Magic' beckoned me once again to her steel deck.The book covers from laying of her keel, her construction as the largest warship of her time, the 45,000 ton Midway Class carrier (The Coral Sea and Ranger carriers are her sister ships), which lasted for 10 years, then being the first vessel of its kind to launch a V2 rocket from World War II, to being the first warship of its kind to be homeported in a foreign country, the addition of another 20,000 tons to add an 'angle' deck to enable her to launch & recover aircraft simultaneously, through the Vietnam with her aircrew flying thousands of sorties, participating in the evacuation of Vietnam, dealing with the Russians during the Cold War, to participation in Deert Storm, to her decomissioning in 1991, to her rebirth in June 2004.'Midway Magic' began with her keel being layed, and continues right to this very day. I know it does because as soon as I saw her on June 14 2004 and once again stepped onto her deck, I knew she still possed all the 'Magic' she every had.I encourage anyone who is interested in reading about Naval History to buy this book. Its not something you can easily put down and not come away affected by 'Midway Magic.' After reading it you will know what 'Midway Magic' was and still is today. Mr. McGaugh writes as though he was part of the ship's crew, the Marine and Naval air crews, right down to the snipes and right up to the Captains. Its a remarkable story. Just look at the back of the book at the list of Citations the USS Midway was awarded. For a 'convential' carrier, it outperformed it's larger nuclear sister ships. Speaking for myself, the USS Midway was a can-do ship. I also encourage any naval buff to visit the museum The USS MIDWAY CV-41 has been turned into, take the audio tour and walk the length of the flight deck, sit in the Captain's chair in the Island and then buy this book and see what Midway Magic is all about.

I recommend this book for crewmembers, family, friends and others interested in Naval or period history. It is factual, interesting, expertly researched and written. For an old sailorit brings back wonderful, sorrowful, but never forgotten memories.Thank you Scott McGaugh for the time, research and work to publish this true account of Midway Magic experiences.Robert (Bob) Kennedy, AK2 USS Midway l948-52, MSgt, USAF (Ret.)