Customer Reviews

USS Enterprise (CV-6): The Most Decorated Ship of World War II - A Pictorial History

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being both a watcher of war documentaries and a Trekkie, I'm always on the lookout for any kind of information regarding the histories of actual vessels dubbed 'Enterprise'. This particular trade paperback, featuring over a hundred photos of the Pacific War's standout vessel, is one of the few books about one of the real Enterprise vessels I've encountered. True, this book's text lacks the sheer volume and sentimentality of Edward Stafford's 'The Big E'. But, even though 'USS Enterprise CV-6' author Steve Ewing's text is relatively brief, he does manage to give a surprisingly in-depth and occasionally heartfelt look at the ship's history, as told by both himself from his own research and the men who served aboard her. Also described in both words and pictures is the Enterprise legacy, which lives on in the veterans who were part of her crew and in the many memorials made up of both fond recollections and the Enterprise's myriad surviving components.

My only real complaint is that, despite the fact this book was last reprinted in 1998, it hasn't been updated since 1987. Other than the lack of a recent revision, however, this pictorial history is one of the best sources of information about the US Navy's most-decorated warship, and is available at a very reasonable price. Whether you're a Pacific War fans, a Naval aficionado, or a Trekkie who is both curious and appreciative of the real-life history of the greatest 'forebear' to sci-fi's most famous starship, this trade paperback is an essential addition to your bookshelf!

This is a great reference book on what is, in my opinion, the greatest American fighting ship in history. This book is packed with pictures of the ship and plenty of detail on her combat operations and what the ship did BETWEEN combat operations, what she did after the war, and her ultimate fate.

The only weak point of the book, which prevented my giving it 5-stars, is the lack of good pictures of aircraft from her airgroups. This might be beyond the authors intended scope of the book, but I would have liked to actually see what Hellcats and Avengers of 20 Air Group looked like in authentic markings and paint schemes. I mean, I could superdetail an Enterprise model with the photos from this book, but I would have to go to another source to accurately detail the aircraft on her decks.

This is an excellent book on the first aircraft carrier Enterprise. The Big E was the most decorated ship of World War II and had a charmed life. She fought in nearly all of the major naval battles in the Pacific and was awarded 20 battle stars by the government. The Enterprise was also the ONLY carrier operating in the Pacific for a time during the war. This book has good photos and the information is detailed, without being overwhelming for a basic book. (It is really an introduction to the subject and left me wanting more.) The cost of the book is quite low for so much content. The author brings across his love of the Enterprise and makes you cringe when plans to preserve the ship as a museum fall apart and the ship is scrapped.

I really enjoyed this book.I am a big fan of the Enterprise and its' crew.What they accomplished is the stuff of legend.Never again will there ever be a ship of any nation with as proud a record as the Enterprise.From the morning of December 7,1941 when Admiral William F.Halsey was returning with the Enterprise from delivering a squadron of Marine F4f Wildcats and pilots to Wake Island(Halsey upon hearing of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor wanted to take the Enterprise and her supporting vessels after the retreating Japanese fleet-all by himself!!)to May 14,1945(when the Enterprise was struck by a Kamikaze named Tomi Zai.The Enterprise was so heavily damaged by this attack that she was forced back to Ulithi Atoll and ultimately Bremerton,Wa. for extensive repairs which took 3 months.The war was over by the time she returned to service.)the Enterprise and her crew served in every major battle of the Pacific war.Her planes struck the first blow at Midway(sinking the Japanese carriers Akagi and Kaga),protected the marine landings on Guadalcanal,and held the line in the Pacific after the Hornet and Wasp were lost near the Soloman Islands.She was the most decorated ship in the history of the U.S. Navy and the first aircraft carrier to receive a direct presidential commendation.By rights the Enterprise should have been the ship where the formal Japanese surrender took place.After serving her country so well and for so long,it should have been so.Unfortunately,she was still in the Navy repair base in Bremerton,Washington being repaired from the damage done by Tomi Zai.Her final years(1947-1959)were spent in Bayonne,New York as part on the New York Group,Atlantic Reserve Fleet(mothballs).She was finally scrapped in early 1959.If any ship drserved to be preserved in the history of this countrys' navy,it was the Enterprise.Unfortunately,there just wasn't enough interest or money available to preserve her at the time,even though there were many people(including Fleet Admiral William F.Halsey)who were interested in her preservation.The scrapping of the Enterprise was a great loss to our country.It's a pity that she will not be around for future generations to appreciate her and pay respect to her crew.

I bought this book and another for my father. He was on the USS Enterprise during his time in the navy and has recently started reading old war books. Great price and arrived very quickly. My dad was happily surprised when he opened this gift.

Excellent book, must read for sons and daughters of those who served on the Enterprise