The Battle for Leyte Gulf: C. Vann Woodward's Comprehensive Account

Tom S: A good story about the battle, but a lot more I information. Has come to light since this read written

United States on Sep 17, 2023

DUSA: This book is a treat. There is only one problem---the publisher of this edition neglected to print the maps properly. And the darn book does not have an index. Very annoying that the production of this important book was done with little care. The history contained in the book is a great read. The author writes like a god. Thrilling story.

United States on Jul 02, 2023

Blu: A sobering examination of the commanders, sailors, pilots, in their desperate struggle for control of the Leyte Gulf instigated by U.S. army landings at the Leyte beachhead to reclaim the Philippines. A fount of information regarding the surface naval battle comprised of 4 distinct engagements. Both the U.S. and Japanese actions are described. Perhaps, due to the various commands with their respective forces, coordinating all the myriad dynamics leads to some confusion. Moreover, the author's detailed orientation, is somewhat dispirited and lacks synergism. Still, a daunting achievement considering the minutiae of facts.

United States on Jun 17, 2023

Heather Gunn: A very well written analysis of a series of overlapping complex naval engagements. More maps of better quality were needed.

Australia on Sep 04, 2021

Kevin R: Really interesting.

United Kingdom on Jul 14, 2021

Kevin Greene: I found the book very informanted of. It wasagood read.

Canada on Jun 09, 2018

The Peebe: The story was fascinating, but I felt uncomfortable with the way in which there was a smell of ever present American jingoism in the assessments of relative leadership skills between the two foes. I agree with the Japanese assessment that the overpowering air advantage of the Americans, be it in attacking or ,more importantly, being the eyes for the fleet leadership, was huge, and the main cause of the victory.

Canada on Jan 18, 2018

Old Man River: My dad was a WW II combat vet, I later served and then taught US History for 32 years. I enjoyed the book, but a few caveats. To begin with, you really need a big map of the Leyte Gulf area., and then a map of the entire battle as you read. This was actually 4 separate battles that took place in4 separate areas. Also, the military nomenclature for commands, ships and planes can prove difficult. CVW is an Old School "get it right" author with lots of derail and reserved analysis. It should also be pointed out that this was published in 1947, which means that newer books will have information not available at the time. As I said, I enjoyed the book, but it would have helped readers if the editors had provided maps for each chapter. If they can find it, reading James Jone's WW II would be a good beginning to understand the entire Pacific war. Finally, Leyte Gulf was the first use of kamikaze attacks, and I would suggest the THE TWILIGHT WARRIORS , which details our response to the kamikaze threat.as a follow-up read. Also, THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS will explain why we were able to win after making serious errors at the beginning of the battles.

United States on Sep 13, 2017

Richard Cummins: Excellent. Including Halsey's reasons for pursuit of IJN carriers. Still appears that Kurita and others high in the IJN lacked the aggression shown by the rank and file.

Australia on Mar 24, 2017

Neily J. Wagner: I loved this book. It is rich in detail from the first movements by the Japanese and Americans toward the Gulf to the final Japanese retreat and the frantic pursuit by the Americans. I had read other works on the battle, but somehow Vann Woodward has captured something the others had missed; the sheer scope of the conflict. Leyte Gulf was no Midway, in which only seven carriers were engaged, nor even a Guadalcanal with its nightly fire-fights between relatively small squadrons of surface-ships. This battle unfolded over thousands of miles, involved hundreds of vessels, thousands of aircraft and tens of thousands of human souls.
Vann Woodward's research allows him to present the Japanese Plan and its Order-of-Battle in remarkable detail. Once establishing the plan, he systematically discusses its gradual unravelling under fire. He examines the weaknesses of the American's command structure. So many ships, so much ocean, so many tactical possibilities; yet our principal commanders could not communicate directly. Perhaps more than any other treatment of the battle, Vann Woodward captures the significant impact of U.S. submarines in both intelligence gathering and combat, and the...

United States on Mar 05, 2013