The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise [Paperback]

Edward Peary Stafford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Classics of Naval Literature | Publication Date: May 2002

A lasting memorial to the USS "Enterprise, " this classic tale of the carrier that contributed more than any other single warship in the naval victory in the Pacific has remained a favorite World War II story for more than 25 years. 32 photos. 5 maps.

Product Details

• Paperback: 616 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557509980
• ISBN-13: 978-1557509987
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Account, February 9, 2003

By 

Joel@AWS (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise (Paperback)

First, I'll admit I'm not an unbiased reviewer. My dad served in Enterprise for three hard years ('42-45), and I've made my own efforts to tell her story.

That said, "The Big E" is without peer, as both a history of the World War II-era carrier Enterprise, and as a record of what carrier warfare in the '40's was like. Stafford's prose is both elegant and -- given the records he had available in 1960 -- accurate. His descriptions are vivid: you can feel the decks whip violently at Santa Cruz, you can see the vibrant green of the Philippines at Leyte Gulf, you can sense the tension in the ready rooms at Midway. Her men are not just names on a page, but tangible characters: bold, fast-thinking, humble, optimistic, but sometimes very worried about their prospects.

There are a couple points about the book which the prospective reader should be aware of. Stafford's focus is primarily on the ship's squadrons, and less so on efforts of her crew. Originally published over 40 years ago, some of the language is a bit dated, though, again, overall the writing is superb.

The fact, however, that a 40-year old book about a ship that was decommissioned in 1947 is deemed fit to reprint in 2002 should tell you two things. The book is not a throwaway, but a genuine work of literature. And Enterprise was not just a warship, but a unique bonding of man and machine, that came through for her country when she was needed most.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Magnificent, June 23, 2002

By 

Grant Waara (Lusk, Wyoming, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise (Paperback)

Thank heaven the Naval Institue Press has brought this classic back in print. Commander Stafford's book in an action packed account of the Navy's most decorated ship. The Enterprise's story is in many ways, the story of the Navy in the Pacific. She was there at Pearl Harbor (where her fliers eventually sunk a Japanese submarine) the early raids, Midway, Guadalcanal, Santa Cruz, the early drives in the central Pacific, the Phillipine Sea, Leyte Gulf, the early carrier raids on Japan and Okinawa. Commander Stafford's book is a perfect example of what good history is all about. It's gripping, easily read and best of all, always clear. You never have to reread passages to understand what he had written. To wrap this review up, if you're a World War II navy buff, you simply HAVE to read this book. You'll be glad you did.
One last thing. Commander Stafford also wrote Little Ship, Big War: the Saga of the U.S.S. Abercrombie DE343. This is a history/memoir of the destroyer he served on during the war. This too is recommended. He basically accomplished for the Navy what Stephen Ambrose did so admirably for the Army; he told the story of the average Citizen Sailor who rode the small ships to victory in the war.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd copy, December 12, 2002

By 

MICHAEL HOUSE (Santa Clarita, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise (Paperback)

I have had this book since it was first published and I can no longer keep the book together, so it is time to replace it. I'm was thriller to see it still in print.
My father was a plank owner of the BIG "E" and loved the ship with a special love that only someone who have faced death and servived can feel. It was a disgrace to have her scrapped and after readin Cdr Stafford's incredible story, I believe that everyone would agree she(and more importantly the men who seved on her) were and are national treasures