The Last Liberty: The Biography of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien [Hardcover]

Walter W. Jaffee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

The history of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, the last still-active survivor of the 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe. Life aboard a Liberty ship during World War II: Atlantic convoys, preparing for D-Day, 11 Normandy landings; an ammo ship in the Pacific, lay-up and restoration.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Capt. Jaffee is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Author of eight maritime books, he was chief officer of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien on her epic return voyage to Normandy in 1994 for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 490 pages
• Publisher: Glencannon Press; First edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963758608
• ISBN-13: 978-0963758606
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,308,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It tells it all., March 1, 2001

By 

Brian in Bflo. (Buffalo, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Liberty: The Biography of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (Hardcover)

The book pretty much covered the entire life of the ship up to the early 1990's. Her WW2 operational period gets the most coverage. A lot of this section of the book deals with the trials and tribulations of the crew as the ship traveled the world from the action of D-Day to the Pacific. The lay up fleet information is interesting as well as the restoration project. There are some pretty good photos of her and other Liberty ships. There are a few drawings included and an excellent description of her equipment. The book stops just before the 50th Aniv. of D-day. To get the rest of the story you have to buy "Appointment in Normandy". The only thing I can think of that would have made it a 5 star book would have been more photos.

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Fleet Week Tradition: Seeing Capt. Jaffee, January 22, 2012

By 

Judy A. Hicks - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Liberty: The Biography of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (Hardcover)

Brian from Buffalo said it all. This is an excellent book chronicling the history of an active, living museum. I, too, would have loved to have seen more photos and graphics. I love pictures.

I am not a good history book reader, let alone a reader of military history. Thankfully, Capt. Jaffee's narrative is a comfortable read with all the facts in place, but without once becoming ponderous while telling the tale of this remarkable ship and her history.

Since October 2009, I pull my copy out in August and September each year to have a re-read just before we take our sail during Fleet Week. Luckily, I live only 30 minutes away and spend Fleet Week with my son on board for a 4-hour lunch with music and history, including in 2009, a meeting Capt. Walter Jaffee. It was a pleasure meeting him and having him sign my copy of 'The Last Liberty." A scholar and a gentleman!

Anyone planning to take the Fleet Week cruise in October 2012 should check to see if Capt. Jaffee will be on board. It will be a pleasure to see him again.