Clash of The Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II [Paperback]

Barrett Tillman (Author), Stephen Coonts (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2006

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Author of specialty histories about U.S. Navy planes of the Pacific War, Tillman here writes up the war's largest carrier--versus--carrier battle. Exacting in his attention to data about planes and weapons, Tillman's narrative of the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 remains sufficiently straightforward to follow through the fury of dogfights and bombing attacks. Briefing readers about the strategic precipitator for the battle, the American capture of the Mariana Islands, Tillman explains what the Japanese navy proposed to do about it. Having rebuilt its naval air force after the Midway disaster, the Japanese retained one technical advantage: superior aircraft range. Unfortunately for them, the arsenal of democracy had built a superior fighter plane since Midway: the Hellcat, which in this battle destroyed every Japanese carrier strike. In his metier describing these melees of aerial combat, Tillman zooms in on the few Japanese pilots who survived the Hellcats to press home their attacks, and then turns to the American counterattack that sealed the victory. An active account that will entice the tailhook audience. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Barrett Tillman has been an aviation historian for the past 30 years, having written over 500 articles in leading military journals, as well as four novels, a novella, a screenplay, and 30 works of nonfiction. Author website: btillman.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451219562
• ISBN-13: 978-0451219565
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > History > Asia > Philippines
  • #58 in Books > History > Asia > Turkey

More About the Author

Barrett Tillman (b. 1948) was born into a NE Oregon ranching family and developed an early interest in aviation history. He learned to fly as a teenager, was first published at age 15, and graduated from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree in 1971. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, book publisher, and magazine editor, but has been self employed all but seven years since graduating from college. Though best known for his histories of US naval aviation, he also has published six novels plus short stories, and has sold a screenplay.

Tillman continues writing nonfiction books and has written more than 550 articles in the US and abroad. He frequently appears as a commentator on TV documentaries in addition to his speaking appearances. The recipient of six writing awards, he lives with his wife in Arizona.

Tillman's web site and blog are found at www.btillman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book that documents a great battle and a past time, November 20, 2005

By 

J. Groen "Jerry Groen" (GURNEE, ILLINOIS USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Clash of the Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book that not only documents a great, but not well known, battle, but also documents a past time for us. A time when, as mentioned in the preface, "carriers had decks that were straight, Grummans had tail hooks, and Pratt and Whitneys had props". It tells the story of the largest carrier battle of World War II... yes, the largest, and the third largest naval battle ever in terms of ships employed (behind Leyte Gulf and Jutland). When 15 US carriers met 9 Japanese carriers in the middle of the Philippine Sea, thousands of miles from the US mainland and above a trench that goes to 30,000 feet in depth. The battle described in the pages, quite eloquently, tells how the US fleet routed the Japanese, sinking one third of their carriers and shooting down 90% of their aircraft, out of the sky... like turkeys. And, in the process, the author describes what it was like to operate an aircraft, an anti-aircraft gun, a submarine, land aircraft as part of a team, and the importance of radar. This is a well-written, eloquent book that goes beyond accurately telling the story of this great battle to giving us a glimpse, yes, just a glimpse, but well worth it, of being there.

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey Rube! - an excellnt book on the Marianas Turkey Shoot, December 18, 2005

By 

William Barritt (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Clash of the Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II (Hardcover)

One of the few books to cover the last great carrier battle fought in WWII, Clash of the Carriers is a wonderful book for anyone that has an interest in the Pacific War. Barrett Tillman does a wonderful job of not only giving the reader an idea of what it was like to be there, but also gives a glimpse into the stories of the major players involved.

What was it like for the FDO's directing Hellcats into the incoming raids? What was going through the pilots' minds as they searched for their carriers in the dark of night? This book answers those questions and more without getting too caught up in the minutia.

If you have an interest in World War Two, the naval war in particular, this book would make an excellent addition to your library.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A superb naval history, February 15, 2006

By 

Robert F. Dorr - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Clash of the Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II (Hardcover)

When this author produces a naval history you get it all --- the sights, the sounds, the workings of those radial-engined carrier warplanes, and the sense of what it was like when great ships turned into the wind to wage the fight. A really good history mixes people, machines, tactics, and strategy. It uses research, interviews, and first-hand knowledge. "Clash of the Carriers" does all of these things and introduces new findings about a battle that needed more coverage. "Clash" is also a great read. The people are real. The aircraft are real. The fighting seems authentic. I particularly appreciate the author's insights into some of the men who led the fast carriers in battle---Spruance, Mitscher, Clark, and others.