In June, 1944, American and Japanese carrier fleets made their way through the Philippine Sea, both hoping to take control of the vital Marianas Islands. When they met, they embarked upon a naval engagement that escalated into the most spectacular aircraft carrier battle in history. Here is the true account of the battle, told from both sides-by those who were there. Drawing upon numerous interviews as well as official sources, Clash of the Carriers is an unforgettable testimonial to the bravery of those who fought and those who died in a battle that will never be forgotten.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Not the Answer:
In the preface to COTC, much is made of the fact that few books have been written about the greatest sea batttle in Navy history. Samuel Eliot Morison's official history is mentioned, and then dismissed, as faulty. The implication is that COTC is the answer to the gap in histories of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. It isn't. The most glaring gap, as others have mentioned, is that only one map is included, and that map is of such large scale to be nearly useless. Today, with computer graphics and... more info
Great history:
Barrett Tillman's Clash of the Carriers is an in-depth study of the fifth -- last, and largest -- carrier battle of World War II: the Battle of the Philippine Sea or better known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot. The book was interesting from the start, read well and was hard to put down. One of the things I liked about the book was its coverage of all aspects of the battle: war making potential, the leadership on both sides, oil, submarines, logistics, the fleet anchorages, recon floatplanes, shipboard... more info
Fair and Balanced:
This book is a fantastic read. There are two points that make it very interesting. The first is that you can see the agony of decision at every level. The second is the fair portrayal of the courage and determination of the Japanese Navy. As names and equipment parade thru the book, it is loaded with details. You will enjoy this book from front to back. Remember, this book is not simply a recitation of facts. It's a picture of a time and place where carriers clashed.
A good book if all you want is facts, but it was a chore to finish.:
Maybe I went in with unrealistic expectations. Tillman's writing style is very dry and dare I say it, boring. That may be due to his subject matter. I can't fault the awesome compilation of facts and detailed information here. It's obvious he researched the subject thoroughly, but I wish his writing was more kinetic and lively in nature. For example, I like the presentation of 'Flags of our Fathers' and 'A Bridge Too Far' much better than this. And, as other reviewers have suggested, battle maps would have... more info
