In Harm's Way (Walt Fleming)

This is a thrilling and educational work. I recommend it to anyone interested in WWII history and the determination of the Naval personnel who doggedly fought against all odds to overcome the elements of nature and the unfortunate bureaucracy of far-flung base commands.

I thought this was a wonderful book. Very well written and obviously extensively researched. The tragic story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis is told here in a very forthright way without sensationalizing the event. This isn't just a story about the men who went down with the ship and the horrors they endured. This is a story about war and courage and the human spirit. Highly recommended.

Politicians and admirals, usually one in the same, have to find blame for tragedies such as the Indy. There were so many at fault, yet McVey paid the price the Navy demanded. In the end that price would be the ultimate sacrifice. Godspeed McVey; and U S Navy be damned. Your Court Marshal was nothing but a circus; a charade to lay before the American people.

In Harms Way via the store.com (Book)

Very informative and puts the reader on the edge of his/her seat! A tragedy that occurred during the end of World War II in which a US Navy Cruiser was involved in an ironic encounter with a Japanese Kaiten submarine. This type of submarine was the Japanese's Navy version of the Japanese's Air Force's Kamakazi (Devine Wind). The USS Indianapolis "incident" was a tragedy of war. And, in war all is fair. But, after the war we must "pay the piper", and the cost is very high and sometimes unjust. The policy of the US Navy at the time of the "incident" was soon revised, too late for the USS Indianapolis and her crew. Who made the fatal mistake, and whom really paid the price? Will the US Navy ever admit the tragic error. Read the book and find out.

Not to be confused with the movie in which "John Wayne" portrays a US Navy Admiral assigned as a fleet commander during World War II. The heavy cruiser USS Saint Paul was not even commissioned at the time the "USS Indianapolis incident happened". The Movie "In Harms Way" is another tragedy of war.

I though this book was an "outstanding" read. Excessively interesting and flows easily. This book was so good I bought four additional copies to give to my friends, three of which read it and loved it!

Everybody ought to read this book about real events and real men. This book is just riveting!!!! All young people should read this book and see what the Navy was made of and the character of these men.

The writing is great---to explain...not great writing, but greatly written in that the author never over shadows the characters of the story...he doesn't judge or gush either. He tells a story woven together by their words...

WOW.

Lancha

More about vindication for the court-martialed captain than blame for the Navy, In Harm's Way is the timely story of the Indianapolis, and of survival at sea. Stanton brings classic American war stories to life. It's non-fiction narrative that reads like fiction, with accurate research to make it alive and real!

In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of its Survivors is not a book of the battles that each man fought aboard the legendary USS Indianapolis in the month of July and on the 30th day in 1945. Historian Doug Stanton writes the story of each man’s fight for survival within the treacherous waters of the South Pacific and of man against nature during the most grueling five-day ordeal that one may never imagine, especially the crew. Based on curiosity and the reading of a newspaper article in 1999, the story began with survivors of the Indy reuniting that sparked Stanton’s interest to tell the story of the 1,196 crewmembers and the estimated 600 survivors. What began as 5,000-words culminated to a 12,000-word article in the Men’s Journal and ensued to the writing of this book.

Stanton recants the most intense moments of when the Indy went down into the Philippine Sea but also the hours before Imperial Japanese submarine I-58 commanded by Captain Mochitsura Hashimoto ordered the first torpedo to be launched and the events thereafter of how the men fought the battle of their lives. Each of the chapters of the book begin with colloquial quotes and a mix of thoughts that went through the minds of each survivor including Captain Charles B. McVay III who manned the helm of the ship and Gil McCoy who contributed to preserving the legacy of the men of the Indy. As one reads each account of each men and their roles during the war before landing a place aboard the Indy, they along with the ship were veterans of the war having endured the beginning from the fall of Philippine islands to victories of battles at Midway, Leyte, Peleilu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa -- appeared that each had nine lives. And the question that Stanton set forth to answer, what did the crew do to survive? Three major factors were discussed and shared by each survivor as they floated in the middle of nowhere with the fear of sharks or another invasion by Imperial Japanese vessels and aircrafts, one the will to fight, faith, and dreams.

Immensely written and detailed account of one of the most pinnacle events of World War II in the Pacific, readers that may not yet have read of the Indy and the men that fought to survive, In Harm's Way is a highly recommended book that should be read by not only history aficionados but for those who may want to fill in the gaps of history after Okinawa and before Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The story stresses two important points in addition to man against nature, the will to live and not to quit as one of the crewmembers kept reminding himself as the war waged on. And for further research or understanding of the events that led to, during, and after the event, Stanton provides very helpful information at the end of the book of the lists of primary and secondary sources from interviews, unpublished documents, bibliography, and an abundance of newspaper sources. But most importantly, a list of names of the entire crew and officers from the Navy and Marines that comprised of members of the USS Indianapolis.

I first became aware of the USS Indianapolis back in 1976 when I saw the movie Jaws. I have remained curious ever since. Thanks so much to the author, Doug Stanton, for answering all my questions. I found the book to be interesting, very informative, honest, and thought provoking. I loved the book and I love the guys who put themselves in harm's way so that we might have our freedom. They will forever remain in my thoughts and prayers. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

Very well written. Was the next door neighbor to one of the survivors so felt I had a
very personal interest in the telling of the story. It is worth your time if you like naval
history and just how sad that it happened and worse, what happened to their beloved
captain.

It was a good read, really kept my attention. It was a book that was hard to put down. There are many books about the Indianapolis but I wouldnt attempt to read more because this was complete. The story was well told and seemed complete to me.

First, I am Charles McVay's stepson for full disclosure. I read this book several years ago when it was first published, but recently downloaded it on Kindle and reread it. Doug Stanton does a marvelous job of telling this important story and letting us know the men of The Indianapolis. Captain McVay was treated horribly by his Navy and that ultimately led to his suicide years later. He was finally exonerated during the Clinton Administration, but he never lived to see that. Stanton has written and very important story and told it well.

Read this in 2 days. Amazing story, and the struggles these heroes endured. Not surprised by the Navy or the Federal Government deciding to charge McVay and court martial him. Glad they made it right after pushes by his Sailors to right this wrong.

Paid around $5 including shipping. A compelling book into some of the darkest days of the U.S. Navy in WWII. It details what happened to USS Indianapolis and to the crew who were left waiting in the water for days waiting to be rescued. Although it is 368 pages, it is a fairly quick read due to its great writing and font size. I finished it in about two and a half days. And with the price of the book only getting lower on the store, it is well worth the price.

I bought this book on a recommendation from a friend. Outstanding but sad reading. Found myself in the lifeboats of the survivors many times. Had a hard time with no one knowing where the ship was and then what our government did to the Captain after they were rescued. This book will make you sad and angry at the same time.

This book was an excellent account of the sinking of USS Indy. When I was in school we didn't learn anything about this tragic event and I think it should be s must read for students. It was a significant event in WWII. I appreciate the writers efforts to give voice to the survivors and shed light on the Navy's cover up that put the Indy and her crew in harm's way, feeling abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

Paid around $5 including shipping. A compelling book into some of the darkest days of the U.S. Navy in WWII. It details what happened to USS Indianapolis and to the crew who were left waiting in the water for days waiting to be rescued. Although it is 368 pages, it is a fairly quick read due to its great writing and font size. I finished it in about two and a half days. And with the price of the book only getting lower on the store, it is well worth the price.

I bought this book on a recommendation from a friend. Outstanding but sad reading. Found myself in the lifeboats of the survivors many times. Had a hard time with no one knowing where the ship was and then what our government did to the Captain after they were rescued. This book will make you sad and angry at the same time.

This book was an excellent account of the sinking of USS Indy. When I was in school we didn't learn anything about this tragic event and I think it should be s must read for students. It was a significant event in WWII. I appreciate the writers efforts to give voice to the survivors and shed light on the Navy's cover up that put the Indy and her crew in harm's way, feeling abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

i finished this book in a few days. Thrilling story, page turner, but book takes your breath away as you think about the lives that were lost to devastating torpedo but even worse, from sharks over 5 days at sea.

Inspiring. As a retired naval officer, I find the naval terminology, the language, in fact, all aspects of this book to be so realistic that it defies description. The "cya" approach by the admirals is, in my opinion, exactly what I would expect. So pleased to have read this!

I first read this story some years ago in paperback, and found it quite impossible to put down. In fact to do so felt like a betrayel to these young men whose story I was so captivated with.

Indeed this was a must buy for me on Kindle and just like that first read through, I again found myself totally beholden to the tale of survivial against all odds. Doug Stanton does an excellent job of selling the horrific tragedy in a both an insightful and humane way. By books end you may feel like you have endured with these young men, you will certianly be awestruck by thier will to survive. It may not change your life, reading this book, but it will almost certianly make you feel. A great read worthy of 5 stars.

A very well thought and written book about a horrible disaster that should have never happened. The men we lost on the ship will never be forgotten for all they went through during and after the ship was torpedoed.

Having a great respect for our military, I have recently starting reading a bit about its history. The story of the USS Indianapolis isn't new to me, but I wanted to gain another viewpoint than what I saw on many of the documentaries about her. This book brings to life the many men that proudly served our country and were sadly "forgotten" during their time of need. It flows wonderfully and will keep you enthralled until the very end. I definitely recommend it!