The book combines an incredible amount of facts with gripping prose to recapture what happened in the North Atlantic when a convoy, escorted by an old cargo ship with a few obsolete guns bolted to her decks, was suddenly confronted by a mighty pocket battleship. It dramatically recounts how the Jervis Bay captain signaled his thirty-seven freighters and tankers to scatter and aimed his ship at full speed straight for the Scheer with its six big guns. It explains how this charge-of-the-light-brigade tactic allowed most of the other ships to escape into the deepening twilight and mounting winter storm and how sixty-five of the 256 men aboard the Jervis Bay managed to survive on rafts. For a full appreciation of the significance of what took place, battle scenes cover the action aboard several ships, including Admiral Scheer, and separate chapters put the battle in context with contemporary naval and political events. For his valor, the captain was posthumously awarded Britain's only Victoria Cross for convoy defense. 240 pages. 25 photographs. 3 line drawings. Hardcover. 6 x 9 inches.
Book Description
The authors deliver a stirring account of one of the greatest David-and-Goliath stories in the annals of sea fights: the sacrificial defense of a British convoy by its escort Jervis Bay against Admiral Scheer, one of Germany's most feared warships. The extraordinary engagement received front-page treatment when it occurred in November 1940, but tales like this are often lost in the great kaleidoscope of World War II, where watershed events tend to overshadow smaller encounters. This is a story of such courage and resourcefulness, however, that it deserves to be remembered by today's history buffs.
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About the Author
Gerald L. Duskin spent twelve years researching the Jervis Bay story in Europe and North America before his death in 2002. Ralph Segman, a longtime journalist, was news editor of Science News and managing editor of Technology Review before his retirement. He lives in Pittsburgh.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic Story, Great Book,
By
This review is from: If the Gods Are Good: The Epic Sacrifice of HMS Jervis Bay (Hardcover)
The story of the HMS Jervis Bay is the modern day tale of a David verus Goliath-like battle between this convoy escort and the mighty German pocket battleship, Admiral Scheer. Because of the bravery and determination of the Jervis Bay's Captain, E.S. Fogarty Fegen, and of her crew, the majority of the convoy that this ship was escorting was able to make it to its final destination, thereby delivering much needed supplies to a war torn Great Britain. All were heroes whose story deserved to be told. Both authors have done a magnificant job recreating the action that took place on that fateful day. They have really done justice to the men of the HMS Jervis Bay. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in WWII or in naval history. I gurantee that the reader will not be disappointed.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Story Finally Given Life!,
By Hal (NB, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: If the Gods Are Good: The Epic Sacrifice of HMS Jervis Bay (Hardcover)
While I was aware of some of the Jervis Bay story, the authors bring several new parts of it to life. These include the comments by the King and Prime Minister Churchill, the epilogue part about the German spy aboard one of the convoy vessels, and the most important part, the crew's details of the battle against the Admiral Scheer. The authors have written the story in such an exciting and commanding style that I had to finish the book in one sitting. Can't wait for the movie, as the men of the Jervis Bay deserve more recognition. Congratulations to the authors!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book of it's type I've ever read !!,
By
This review is from: If the Gods Are Good: The Epic Sacrifice of HMS Jervis Bay (Hardcover)
What makes this book so exciting is that it tells a World War II story I was not aware of. And it is so beautifully written that I had trouble putting it down. No reader who loves a true tale of wartime courage will be disappointed
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