5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Midway Magic by Scott McGaugh, July 8, 2004
This review is from: Midway Magic: An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier (Hardcover)
This is a great book, very well written, and it was as if the author was there as a crew member telling of the events of the life of this ship as they unfolded through the 46-year history of the USS Midway. It pleases me he did his research so well; the book lists his sources. Having served on this remarkable carrier during Vietnam, as I read it a lot of memories came flooding back. It's a very accurate, concise narrative of a great Lady's history, start to finish, truly a description of what `Midway Magic' was and actually still is. The magic affected me then, and it still affected me as I saw that great ship as She appeared before my eyes in San Diego on Harbor Boulevard recently as I toured her as a museum. Her 'Magic' beckoned me once again to her steel deck.
The book covers from laying of her keel, her construction as the largest warship of her time, the 45,000 ton Midway Class carrier (The Coral Sea and Ranger carriers are her sister ships), which lasted for 10 years, then being the first vessel of its kind to launch a V2 rocket from World War II, to being the first warship of its kind to be homeported in a foreign country, the addition of another 20,000 tons to add an 'angle' deck to enable her to launch & recover aircraft simultaneously, through the Vietnam with her aircrew flying thousands of sorties, participating in the evacuation of Vietnam, dealing with the Russians during the Cold War, to participation in Deert Storm, to her decomissioning in 1991, to her rebirth in June 2004.
'Midway Magic' began with her keel being layed, and continues right to this very day. I know it does because as soon as I saw her on June 14 2004 and once again stepped onto her deck, I knew she still possed all the 'Magic' she every had.
I encourage anyone who is interested in reading about Naval History to buy this book. Its not something you can easily put down and not come away affected by 'Midway Magic.' After reading it you will know what 'Midway Magic' was and still is today. Mr. McGaugh writes as though he was part of the ship's crew, the Marine and Naval air crews, right down to the snipes and right up to the Captains. Its a remarkable story. Just look at the back of the book at the list of Citations the USS Midway was awarded. For a 'convential' carrier, it outperformed it's larger nuclear sister ships. Speaking for myself, the USS Midway was a can-do ship. I also encourage any naval buff to visit the museum The USS MIDWAY CV-41 has been turned into, take the audio tour and walk the length of the flight deck, sit in the Captain's chair in the Island and then buy this book and see what Midway Magic is all about.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
MY FIRST AND BEST COMMAND, September 6, 2004
This review is from: Midway Magic: An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier (Hardcover)
There wouldn't be Midway Magic without the snipes onboard. On any ship they breathed life into it. Without them other crew members can not do their jobs. Remember this when anybody decides to read this book. This book is well written and brought back alot of memories. Especially the 24" roll, the four typhoons, Liberty in Subic, Hong Kong, Thailand and back home in Yokosuka: all good times. The actual date of the 24" roll is 18 Oct 88 not in 89, I was there and transfered in Feb 89. The author needed to check his facts a little better. Another first for Midway was that she was an official carrier for the Olympic Games in Seoul back in 1988 (this is not in the book). The only carrier that I know of for any Olympic Games.When we made a stop in Pusan during the games I bought a Korean Olympic Coin to commemorate the event to Midway not the actual games. Anybody who have served on her will tell you about the magic. It grows on you even if your a desgruntled snipe. Even after being off her for more than ten years. Her and I tend to cross paths. She showed up a week before I did in San Diego for her decommisioning. I was transfered to 32th ST. Naval Station. 2nd time was in Bremerton. I was on the Abraham Lincoln (the cursed ship of the seven seas)and reenlisted. I did not have the ceremony on her, but on the Midway. Before I reenlisted, I paid Midway a visit numerous times.In Bremerton both Midway and the Missouri were tied to the same pier and at the end both of them became museums. 3rd time when she came back to San Diego to become a museum I donated money so she could be a museum. I hated to see her be cut up into razor blades and now I'm a member of the Museum, but still serving my country until I'm retired and mothballed. She is still a very loved ship back in Yokosuka among both the Japanese and those that served on her. The Japanese that I talked with disliked both the Independence and The Kitty Hawk. I served on the Kitty Hawk and disliked it with a passion, but still was glad to return back home to Yokosuka each time after each deployment. Most of the time on Kitty Hawk they did not have the "can do" attitude and the "magic" that Midway had. Read the book and enjoy.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History That's Entertaining!, June 28, 2005
This review is from: Midway Magic: An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier (Hardcover)
I had no idea any ship's crew could be so accomplished! Midway Magic is a friendly read about a unique ship. Crew stories blend nicely with facts and figures. Some periods of time were skipped over, but I often found myself wondering what adventure would next befall the crew. And it's nonfiction! Heartily recommend.
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