The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (Classics of Naval Literature) [Hardcover]

Thomas B. Buell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0870215620 | ISBN-13: 978-0870215629 | Publication Date: January 1987

The life of the brilliant, enigmatic admiral who commanded American forces from the Midway to Okinawa.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cdr. Thomas B. Buell, USN (Ret.) is the author of several books, most notably Master of Seapower: A Biography of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. He died in 2003. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 518 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (January 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870215620
• ISBN-13: 978-0870215629
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A neglected, forgotten naval hero., August 7, 1999

By 

R Andrew Brandenburg (Forsyth Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (Classics of Naval Literature) (Hardcover)

I was perplexed at the lack of available information on Admiral Spruance, considering the astonishing list of accomplishments: lieutenant during Teddy Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet" world tour, commanded Halsey's cruiser escorts for Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Tokyo, tactical (and decisive) command during the Battle of Midway, Nimitz's Shief of Staff, Commander of the US Fifth Fleet (the largest, most powerful battle fleet in the history of the world) including Iwo Jima, Saipan, Guam and Okinawa, President of the Naval War College and Ambassador to the Phillippines. Buell presents a good account of his life and career without delving into the psychological aspect (including a somewhat troubled relationship with his son, a WWII submarine commander). I believe this to be an important work for any serious amateur historian. Nimitz and Halsey may receive more name recognition, but Admiral Spruance's tactical command at Midway did more to turn the tide of the Pacific War than any other single commander. While many books have been written concerning Midway, this is the only book I have found that tells the story from Spruance's point of view.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quiet Warrior:A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (Classics of Naval Literature) (Hardcover)

Buell is to be praised for this significant contribution the history of WWII. He is able to compare and contrast Spruance against the better know Halsey in a fashion that gives the reader a perception of how the men of the fifth and third fleet (one in the same) viewed Spruance. He was brilliant, but conservative. Regarded as timid at Midway and at the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" by the aviation community, this battleship admiral was thrown into the uncomfortable position of commanding of a carrier fleet and he acquitted himself admirably. Regarded by Admiral King as the only officer smarter then he, Spruance was widely recognized for his meticulous planning. This carried over into life after the Navy when he served as ambassador to the Phillipines. By itself this is a wonderful biography. Taken with Buell's biography of King, Potter's work on Nimitz, the books "Magnificant Mitcher", "Halsey" and "The Reluctant Admiral" one comes away in awe of the complexities Spruance dealt with so often and so well.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serviceable biography of an important figure in World War II, February 4, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (Classics of Naval Literature) (Hardcover)

Admiral Raymond Spruance was one of the major naval leaders in the Pacific Theater during World War II, ranking with Halsey in that regard. He was given command of the Fifth Fleet after having served some time as Admiral Chester Nimitz' chief of staff. He was happy to be released from that position and able to serve at sea once more.

Spruance is perhaps best known for his role at the Battle of Midway. Halsey came down ill and Spruance was designated as his replacement--even though he had never commanded an aircraft carrier nor had any background in naval aviation. There is some controversy over his decision-making, but, overall, the volume represents him as a sound commander under a greatly ambiguous situation.

Later, he also suffered some criticism for his decision making during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The author of the Introduction notes that (page ix): "Spruance was largely unfamiliar with the intricacies of naval aviation, and carrier operations in particular. Whether or not this lack of specialized experience was detrimental to his handling of a carrier task force in battle is debatable." Overall, the book examines Spruance fairly sympathetically, although Buell, the author, is willing to suggest where difficulties lay, too.

The treatment of Spruance after the War is well done, including his stint as Ambassador to the Philippines and President of the Naval War College. All in all, a serviceable biography of one of the more important leaders in the Pacific Theater.