audiobook The Admirals: Nimitz; Halsey; Leahy; and King--The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea by Walter R. Borneman in History

Review

97 of 100 people found the following review helpful. AdmirableBy Christian SchlectI wanted to read a book about the Navy's top leadership in World War II; and this history by Walter R. Borneman proved ideal. It should be sold out at the bookstore of the U.S. Naval Academy.Actually this book covers more than World War II; and gives one a description of the U.S. Navy's ups and downs from the turn of the 19th century through to the defeat of Japan in 1945. While 1940s activity in the Atlantic is not ignored; this is a book primarily about the Pacific and the top command's strategy for winning the war in that theatre. It also traces the rise of air and submarine power; over that of the big battleships. All this through the lives and careers of the four navy men who reached five-star rank by war's end.Mr. Borenman boosts Admiral Leahy; questions Admiral Halsey; admires Admiral Spruance (who didn't get the coveted fifth star); and gives a conventional negative picture (from a Navy standpoint) of General Douglas MacArthur. Like many good books; this one will drive you to read more about the period and personalities.(As a person who does not know a boat from a ship; I will leave it to expert reviewers on all things naval to say if all the technical knowledge put forth by Mr. Borneman is accurate. It seems so to me.)2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Fascinating History Of Our Naval Heros of WWIIBy Ellen ToayI am the daughter of a career naval officer who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925. I knew of these admirals - had actually met Admiral Halsey. When I heard about this book I knew I had to read it;but I didn't realize what a treat I had in store. Walter Borneman has written in such a way that he brought history and these individuals to life. I would sit down to read a chapter and find that wasn't good enough - before I knew it I had read three or four chapters and was looking forward to learning more. This book is a tribute to the naval academy and to our navy. If you are interesting in learning about U. S.naval history during the first half of the twentieth century; this is the book to read. I also strongly believe that it should be required reading in our schools.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. In depth look at the 5-star Admirals of WW2By Robert JohnstonThe four 5-stars ... in order of seniority; Joint Chiefs Chairman William "Bill" Leahy; U.S. Navy Chief of Staff Ernest King; Chester Nimitz and William "Bull" Halsey. Their naval careers are traced from Annapolis to 5-star. They were extraordinarily different kinds of leaders and personalities.Vice Adm. Roland Smoot who knew the men well; once wrote; "I've tried to analyze the four five-star admirals that we've had in this Navy ... You have a man like King--a terrifically 'hew to the line' hard martinet; stony steely gentleman; the grandfather and really lovable old man Nimitz--the most beloved man I've ever known; the complete clown Halsey--a clown but if he said 'Let's go to hell together;' you'd go to hell with him; and then the diplomat Leahy--the open-handed; effluent diplomat Leahy. Four more different men never lived and they all got to be five-star admirals; and why?"Borneman offers a new entry to consider Smoot's question. He considers the four from their early days and overlapping duties in time to derive leadership comparability and accomplishment. If this is your first read on the 5-stars; it is a great one. If this read is part of an ongoing consideration; you will be rewarded.The book is not without controversy in its 75 years after-the-fact reflection; the beloved Bull Halsey is the most curious outlier with the most dubious comparable command decisions. In reflection; perhaps Spruance was more worthy of the 5th star than Halsey. The intertwining cast and careers of the potential 5-stars; there early commands and their accomplishments is well narrated here.5-Star excellent ... the politics of the Navy command career has not changed a bit.