Hunters in the Shallows: A History of the Pt Boat [Hardcover]

Curtis L. Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1998

Hunters in the Shallows examines the development of the small torpedo boat in U.S. naval history from Lt. William Cushing’s heroic Civil War attack on the Confederate ram Albemarle in 1864 in a forerunner of the PT to the type’s zenith in World War II. Curtis L. Nelson takes readers inside the scandalous 1939 Elco deal to manufacture PTs, describes Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s dramatic escape from Corregidor via PT in 1942, and assesses the sinking of John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 off the Solomon Islands in 1943.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Curtis Nelson has written for Naval History magazine and has been a consultant for historical documentaries relating to the PT. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Brasseys Publications; 1st edition (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574881671
• ISBN-13: 978-1574881677
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,716,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective, incisive, knowlegable, a valuable resource, April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hunters in the Shallows: A History of the Pt Boat (Hardcover)

Mr. Nelson has produced a well researched and thoughtful, objective look at a topic that has been of great interest to me (Vietnam-era Navy Vet). This book is more of a strategic review of the mission of the PT boat than a retelling of individual events, yet it is still an enjoyable read for the PT buff as well as historian. His analysis of the PT's torpedo attacks in all the theaters of WWII (especially at the Battle of Surigao Strait, P.I.) takes on a subject, untouched in any previous book, with logic and authority. He sheds new light on the oft-told PT 109 story. The author raises the achievement and ability of the PT to assume the non-torpedo role of gunboat (in the South/SWest Pacific) when the Navy had no purpose-designed vessels for "littoral warfare". Lessons from the past have bearing on the future as today's small, flash-point conventional conflicts have proven. "Hunters in the Shadows" is a great add to any PT boat library; it stands up there with "At Close Quarters" and the superb photo-essays of authors Al Ross and Victor Cuhn, to name a few. It is also a tribute to the men who served on and serviced the "wooden wonders." (check out the PT Boat Museum's Website for more about these remarkable vessels)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, July 16, 2011

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This review is from: Hunters in the Shallows: A History of the Pt Boat (Hardcover)

Much, much time devoted to the political ins and out surrounding the US PT boat program inception. Disappointing lack of attention to the pluses and minuses of the two PT types and of their effectivenss in both the SW Pacific and the Philipines. Not a 'Buy' Recommendation in terms of general reading, but perhaps a fair reference for one wanting a place to start in writing a PT Boat Book.