In December 1944, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey was America's most popular and colorful naval hero. While supporting General Douglas MacArthur's famous "I Shall Return" invasion of the Philippines, he unwittingly sailed his undefeated Pacific Fleet into the teeth of the most powerful storm on earth. The typhoon left a previously invincible fleet devastated, inflicting more damage and loss of life than the Battle of Midway. Stunned Navy brass suppressed the scope of the disaster so as not to endanger the American advance on Tokyo, and Halsey never spoke about the ensuing Court of Inquiry. Only now, thanks to documents that have been declassified after sixty years and dozens of firsthand accounts from survivors--including one by former president Gerald Ford--can the tragic yet heroic story of Halsey's Typhoon finally be told. Smashed and battered by waves and wind, Halsey's Third Fleet fought desperately to stay afloat. Dozens of ships were damaged and three--the destroyers USS Hull, USS Monaghan, and USS Spence--absorbed so much punishment that they capsized. Nearly nine hundred sailors and officers were hurled into the ocean or trapped belowdecks. Most of these men, who were teenagers or in their early twenties, found themselves struggling to keep their heads above the frothing seventy-foot waves in the deepest shark-infested waters of the Pacific. Over the next sixty hours, small bands of survivors fought dehydration, exhaustion, and the elements to await rescue at the hands of the courageous Lieutenant Commander Henry Lee Plage who, defying orders, sailed his tiny destroyer escort, the USS Tabberer, through 150-mph winds to rescue drifting sailors. Halsey's Typhoon is a gripping truestory of courage and survival against impossible odds--and one of the grestest World War II sagas of our time.
Industry Reviews
"Halsey's Typhoon joins a rare shelf of must-read books about the most important conflict of the twentieth century. . . . A powerful and engrossing story of tragedy, survival, and heroism." -- Mark Bowden "This book is so good that I kept forgetting that I was reading it to ensure some accuracy instead of merely reading because it was captivating. What a terrific story. Where did we find such men?" -- Captain Michael J. Jacobsen "With Halsey's Typhoon, Drury and Clavin have discovered an epic nautical adventure worthy of Joseph Conrad. What's more, their telling of the story is at once taut, poignant, and evocative. You can smell the blood in the water, but you can't put [the book] down." -- Mark Kriegel "My father flew torpedo bombers off these same carriers in these same waters, perhaps with these same men. Drury and Clavin's writing is as clever and compelling as it is rich with detail, and for me, my father lived in each line. . . . I wish he were still alive so I could present him with this magnificent book." -- Gary Kinder "I thought I was a student of military history, but until I read Halsey's Typhoon, I had no inkling that such an epic disaster--and an even more epic rescue mission--struck the U.S. Navy In World War II. This is a brilliant book, a rip-roaring read that puts you, sweating with fear, right in the middle of combat. It's so good, I'll ignore the fact that the Navy guys are the heroes." -- Col. (Ret.) David Hunt "A powerful and engrossing story of tragedy, survival, and heroism." --Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down "A taut chronicle of the storm and its survivors, impeccably researched and thrillingly told." --Men's Journal
"This book is so good that I kept forgetting I was reading it to ensure accuracy instead of merely reading because it was captivating. What a terrific story. Where did we find such men?" --Captain Michael J. Jacobsen, United States Navy
"If the Beaufort scale were a thrill meter, Halsey's Typhoon would rate a force 12." --Anthony Brandt, National Geographic Adventure
"An impressive, long-overdue account of the U.S. Third Fleet's encounter with a savage typhoon off the Philippines in the autumn of 1944 . . . Entirely gripping . . . A guaranteed hit with maritime buffs." --Booklist
"A great strength of this book is how the reader is made to feel the tension between logistical necessity and fate in the form of a storm whose path was rendered unpredictable by the imperfect science of the day. The pay off is in the body of the book, a nonstop, teeth-gritting, nonfiction thriller that is made up of eyewitness accounts of nature doing her worst and men doing their best...under horrific circumstances.... Reads at a gallop and is extremely well researched.... Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done it." --Russell Drumm, East Hampton Star
"For more than 60 years, one of the country's greatest tales of bravery and heroism has gone untold. The story, told in plain language by dozens of men who witnessed or survived the actual tragic events but kept mum for outdated reasons, spent that time gathering dust in a box amid hundreds of thousands of other boxes in a cavernous government warehouse. Until Tom Clavin and Bob Drury found it." --Michael Wright, Southampton Press
"Not just a top pick for World War II history holdings, but for general interest collections strong in wartime adventure stories.... An extraordinary account of an extraordinary, little-revealed event which provoked extreme heroism under extreme conditions." --Library Bookwatch
"Drury and Clavin's book could not be better timed, given the renewed interest in the Pacific theatre ... and public awareness now of the infighting between and among military and civilian leaders over policies and procedures in Iraq. Halsey's Typhoon delivers a fine, fact-filled account of the various rivalries and disagreements of the major players.... The book also provides a suspense-laden account of extraordinary endurance and heroic risk that resonates as a contemporary disaster tale.... Easy, engaging and informative reading." --Joan Baum, The Independent
"[Halsey's Typhoon] is not just a top pick for World War II history holdings, but for general-interest collections strong in wartime adventure stories.... An extraordinary account of an extraordinary, little revealed event which provoked extreme heroism under extreme conditions." --Internet Bookwatch
"A riveting tale of the fierce storm that capsized three ships, damaged dozens of others and killed 793 sailors." --Carol Comegno, Courier-Post (NJ)
"Superb . . . My father flew torpedo bombers off these same carriers in these same waters, perhaps with these same men. Drury and Clavin's writing is as clever and compelling as it is rich with detail, and for me, my father lived in each line. He once told me that the second most magnificent sight he had ever seen (after my mother on a blind date) was while flying his TBM off Saipan, and being able to see in all directions nothing but the United States Navy steaming toward Japan. I wish he were still alive so I could present him with this magnificent book." --Gary Kinder, author of Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea
"I thought I was a student of military history, but until I read Halsey's Typhoon, I had no inkling that such an epic disaster--and an even more epic rescue mission--struck the U.S. Navy in World War II. This is a brilliant book, a rip-roaring read that puts you, sweating with fear, right in the middle of the action. It's so good, I'll ignore the fact that the navy guys are the heroes." --Colonel (Retired) David Hunt, Fox News counterterrorism and military analyst and author of They Just Don't Get It
"[Halsey's Typhoon] tells the story of human heroes and human failure in terms of those who lived the ordeal and suffered great loss. The anecdotal aura, supported by scientific, technical, and naval tactical information, places this story in the peerless category with Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. It is a part of our history that deserves the light of day because of its valuable lessons and the intrepidity of those who came courageously to the rescue of sailors at sea--a tradition that stands at the pinnacle of man's responsibilities." --Vice Admiral (Ret.) Edward S. Briggs, United States Navy
"[Halsey's Typhoon] is a tale of high adventure that was carefully researched by two established writers... Drury and Clavin have done a fine job. Their work has first place on my Christmas gift list for Navy Friends." --Colonel (Ret.) Gordon W. Keiser, U.S. Marine Corps, Proceedings
"I couldn't put this great read down. This account of Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey's Pacific Fleet facing a devastating typhoon during WW II has military history, naval operations, suspense, adventure, tragedy, and triumph interwoven in a little-known episode from the war in the Pacific." --Rich Daley, Pass Christian Books, Pass Christian, MS, Book Sense quote
"With Halsey's Typhoon, Drury and Clavin have discovered an epic nautical adventure worthy of Joseph Conrad. What's more, their telling of the story is at once taut, poignant, and evocative. You can smell the blood in the water, but you can't put it down." --Mark Kriegel, author of Namath and Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich
"Terrifying . . . This is not just a tale of men against nature. It's also a tale of men for, and against, other men." --Kirkus Reviews
"Absorbing . . . A vivid tale of tragedy and gallantry at sea." --Publishers Weekly A powerful and engrossing story of tragedy, survival, and heroism. Mark Bowden, author of "Black Hawk Down"
A taut chronicle of the storm and its survivors, impeccably researched and thrillingly told. "Men s Journal"
This book is so good that I kept forgetting I was reading it to ensure accuracy instead of merely reading because it was captivating. What a terrific story. Where did we find such men? Captain Michael J. Jacobsen, United States Navy
If the Beaufort scale were a thrill meter, "Halsey s Typhoon" would rate a force 12. Anthony Brandt, "National Geographic Adventure"
An impressive, long-overdue account of the U.S. Third Fleet's encounter with a savage typhoon off the Philippines in the autumn of 1944 . . . Entirely gripping . . . A guaranteed hit with maritime buffs. "Booklist"
A great strength of this book is how the reader is made to feel the tension between logistical necessity and fate in the form of a storm whose path was rendered unpredictable by the imperfect science of the day. The pay off is in the body of the book, a nonstop, teeth-gritting, nonfiction thriller that is made up of eyewitness accounts of nature doing her worst and men doing their bestunder horrific circumstances. Reads at a gallop and is extremely well researched. Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done it. Russell Drumm, "East Hampton Star"
For more than 60 years, one of the country s greatest tales of bravery and heroism has gone untold. The story, told in plain language by dozens of men who witnessed or survived the actual tragic events but kept mum for outdated reasons, spent that time gathering dust in a box amid hundreds of thousands of other boxes in a cavernous government warehouse. Until Tom Clavin and Bob Drury found it. Michael Wright, "Southampton Press"
Not just a top pick for World War II history holdings, but for general interest collections strong in wartime adventure stories. An extraordinary account of an extraordinary, little-revealed event which provoked extreme heroism under extreme conditions. "Library Bookwatch"
Drury and Clavin s book could not be better timed, given the renewed interest in the Pacific theatre and public awareness now of the infighting between and among military and civilian leaders over policies and procedures in Iraq. Halsey s Typhoon delivers a fine, fact-filled account of the various rivalries and disagreements of the major players. The book also provides a suspense-laden account of extraordinary endurance and heroic risk that resonates as a contemporary disaster tale. Easy, engaging and informative reading. Joan Baum, "The Independent"
[Halsey s Typhoon] is not just a top pick for World War II history holdings, but for general-interest collections strong in wartime adventure stories. An extraordinary account of an extraordinary, little revealed event which provoked extreme heroism under extreme conditions. Internet Bookwatch
A riveting tale of the fierce storm that capsized three ships, damaged dozens of others and killed 793 sailors. Carol Comegno, "Courier-Post" (NJ)
Superb . . . My father flew torpedo bombers off these same carriers in these same waters, perhaps with these same men. Drury and Clavin s writing is as clever and compelling as it is rich with detail, and for me, my father lived in each line. He once told me that the second most magnificent sight he had ever seen (after my mother on a blind date) was while flying his TBM off Saipan, and being able to see in all directions nothing but the United States Navy steaming toward Japan. I wish he were still alive so I could present him with this magnificent book. Gary Kinder, author of "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea"
I thought I was a student of military history, but until I read Halsey s Typhoon, I had no inkling that such an epic disasterand an even more epic rescue missionstruck the U.S. Navy in World War II. This is a brilliant book, a rip-roaring read that puts you, sweating with fear, right in the middle of the action. It s so good, I ll ignore the fact that the navy guys are the heroes. Colonel (Retired) David Hunt, Fox News counterterrorism and military analyst and author of "They Just Don t Get It"
[Halsey s Typhoon] tells the story of human heroes and human failure in terms of those who lived the ordeal and suffered great loss. The anecdotal aura, supported by scientific, technical, and naval tactical information, places this story in the peerless category with Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. It is a part of our history that deserves the light of day because of its valuable lessons and the intrepidity of those who came courageously to the rescue of sailors at seaa tradition that stands at the pinnacle of man s responsibilities. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Edward S. Briggs, United States Navy
[Halsey s Typhoon] is a tale of high adventure that was carefully researched by two established writers Drury and Clavin have done a fine job. Their work has first place on my Christmas gift list for Navy Friends. Colonel (Ret.) Gordon W. Keiser, U.S. Marine Corps, Proceedings
I couldn't put this great read down. This account of Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey's Pacific Fleet facing a devastating typhoon during WW II has military history, naval operations, suspense, adventure, tragedy, and triumph interwoven in a little-known episode from the war in the Pacific. Rich Daley, Pass Christian Books, Pass Christian, MS, Book Sense quote
With Halsey s Typhoon, Drury and Clavin have discovered an epic nautical adventure worthy of Joseph Conrad. What s more, their telling of the story is at once taut, poignant, and evocative. You can smell the blood in the water, but you can t put it down. Mark Kriegel, author of "Namath and Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich"
Terrifying . . . This is not just a tale of men against nature. It s also a tale of men for, and against, other men. "Kirkus Reviews"
Absorbing . . . A vivid tale of tragedy and gallantry at sea. "Publishers Weekly"" "A powerful and engrossing story of tragedy, survival, and heroism." --Mark Bowden, author of "Black Hawk Down"
"A taut chronicle of the storm and its survivors, impeccably researched and thrillingly told." --"Men's Journal"
"This book is so good that I kept forgetting I was reading it to ensure accuracy instead of merely reading because it was captivating. What a terrific story. Where did we find such men?" --Captain Michael J. Jacobsen, United States Navy
"If the Beaufort scale were a thrill meter, "Halsey's Typhoon" would rate a force 12." --Anthony Brandt, "National Geographic Adventure"
"An impressive, long-overdue account of the U.S. Third Fleet's encounter with a savage typhoon off the Philippines in the autumn of 1944 . . . Entirely gripping . . . A guaranteed hit with maritime buffs." --"Booklist"
"A great strength of this book is how the reader is made to feel the tension between logistical necessity and fate in the form of a storm whose path was rendered unpredictable by the imperfect science of the day. The pay off is in the body of the book, a nonstop, teeth-gritting, nonfiction thriller that is made up of eyewitness accounts of nature doing her worst and men doing their best...under horrific circumstances.... Reads at a gallop and is extremely well researched.... Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done it." --Russell Drumm, "East Hampton Star"
"For more than 60 years, one of the country's greatest tales of bravery and heroism has gone untold. The story, told in plain language by dozens of men who witnessed or survived the actual tragic events but kept mum for outdated reasons, spent that time gathering dust in a box amid hundreds of thousands of other boxes in a cavernous government warehouse. Until Tom Clavin and Bob Drury found it." --Michael Wright, "Southampton Press"
"Not just a top pick for World War II history holdings, but for general interest collections strong in wartime adventure stories.... An
