The Battle of Leyte Gulf: The Last Fleet Action

I spend a lot of time reading history, the majority (at least as of now) regarding the WWII era. Therefore, I was surprised when I found this book to be rather tough going. The book is a first class work of non-fiction, no doubt about that, but I must say that the writer's style is difficult. Certainly, the writing is not what I would call fluid or elegant, or enjoyable, or even just plain easy reading. Buy if you're interested in the Pacific War, but be warned that it will take a while to get through the book.

If you are looking for a blood and guts history of this enormous naval battle, then read one of the earlier studies of the subject. This is a sophisticated analysis of not only what happened but why it happened. The author does a great job of delineating the command decisions on both sides, separating fact from legend, and putting controversial events into perspective. He pulls no punches in his comments on individual leaders but his conclusions are solid, well-researched, trenchant...and often entertaining. This book is not suitable for the reader seeking a general introduction to the event. However, if you already have a basic knowledge of this battle, this may be the last book you will need to read on the subject.

After reading two previous books on this battle, I didn't think that I would learn anything new on the Battle of Leyte Gulf by reading this book, but I did. This book covers it all from the strategic context of the battle to the destroyer actions at Samar - the Hoel and Johnston. Some of the things that I learned in this book, was a peek into the decision making of Halsey and Kurita. Why did they make the decisions that they did? Also, I learned that the air attacks on the Kurita ships off Samar were more damaging than I previously knew. The Japanese lost a number of heavy cruisers to air attack on that day. Also, the Japanese were low on fuel. The courage of the destroyer crews is depicted in detail. What a beautiful story of courage. I highly recommend this book for these and a number of other reasons - this is the best book out there on the most important fleet action of WWII and the last fleet action ever fought.

H.P. Willmott has once again produced an important addition to the literature of the Second World War. His attention to historical detail combined with a compelling narrative - hallmarks of his previous works as well - make this an essential read for anyone interested in military history.

Haven't finished it yet, but I am thoroughly enjoying what I am reading of it so far. From the areas I have read, he is sharply critical of the conduct of IJN Admiral Kurita Takeo (or, for people like me who grew up with the Japanese names reversed, Takeo Kurita). I have enough books on World War II dealing with what happened when and where. What I desperately want is tactical analysis and critical thinking, a rarity in books not strictly for military personnel and I'm seeing that in Willmott's book. Willmott is very hard on Kurita, the Japanee admiral who, for reasons that are still at best unclear, turned his large force of battleships, cruisers and destroyers around when he had a tiny force of American escort carriers and their escorting destroyers by the throat off of Samar. Harder than anyone I've ever seen, for that matter, but justifiably so. This was not the first time Kurita had done this. Kurita would never have been in position to have this small American carrier force by the throat if not for a gross mistake by Admiral William Halsey in leaving the door open, so to speak, for Kurita's force to come in. History has not been a kind judge to Halsey, in this regard, and Willmott is no exception, but he does analyze Halsey's decision here to place it in a little more perspective that may be kinder to Halsey. So far, I'm likin' this book and I highly recommend it to any serious student of World War II.