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MIDWAY:DAUNTLESS VICTORY: Fresh Perspective on of America's Seminal Naval Victory of World War II.
H/B published 16 November 2007 by Pen & Sword Publishing, Barnsley, UK. ISBN 9781844155835
A 320,000-word factual history, giving a fresh and detailed examination of this crucial naval battle, and which combines personal interviews with survivors from both combatants with a host of original research in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom, including some photographs not seen in print before
The plans of both combatants are examined, as is the Intelligence which gave the Americans a winning edge, and the other factors that swayed events are analysed in depth. The SBD Dauntless dive-bomber's central and crucial role is given a long-overdue emphasis and other related factors studied are the role of the Media both in false reporting the battle at the time, and the misleading way it has been presented ever since in both film and TV documentaries. The actual overall effect of the outcome of the battle on World War II is examined, with regard to both the Allied and Axis powers, finally there is an examination of how the battle has been recorded down the decades. There are numerous tables, charts and diagrams, a bibliography and glossary.
Dusty Kleiss, veteran Enterprise SBD pilot who fought at Midway, wrote to the Author:- "If I knew how, I would give a SIX star rating for your great book. Unlike the other books I have read, it portrays history in a concise, interesting manner. It omits unimportant fluff or discussions, and gives the key elements in an easily digestible interesting manner." Dusty awarded the book a five star rating, stating, "I found Peter C Smith's book to be the most compelling and accurate historical account of this battle to date. Kudos to Smith for his correct historical capture and a job well done."
Another SBD Pilot, Clayton Fisher, who flew from the carrier Hornet during the battle said:- "I've read your book three times. I'm impressed with the thoroughness and detail of the book. Being a Midway veteran I can appreciate the detail and accuracy you have achieved. I've collected and read most of the books about the Battle of Midway but your book far supasses all the other books."
Peter E. Karetka, present aboard the destroyer Hughes, whose own views on the sinking of the Yorktown the author disagrees with, nonetheless wrote: "Congratulations on a great bit of writing. I marvel at the collecting and research of information. Well done." Awarding a 5-star rating his review called it, "A remarkable book" and that, "It will be an eye-opener."
Munetoshi Yamaguchi, the son of Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi who went down with his ship, the carrier Hiryu during the battle, praised what he termed, "...a sumptious volume." He added, "I was amazed how laboriously you have striven to find and collect facts and figures related to the battle," and concluded that he wished it "...every success."
Admiral Donald "Mac" Showers, who was part of the CIU team with Rochefort at Hawaii during the Midway build-up, wrote:- "You've done a fine job. It's a good book," adding that although he personally was, ".....only involved with the provision of intelligence, I don't think there's any argument or disagreeement with that aspect." He also stated that "...I'm addicted to footnotes, and I always stop to read the footnotes. With the many you have, that makes for slow progress, but I learn from each and every one." He also said: "....some of my Midway colleagues insisted that I share it with them. I have loaned it to three different readers and don't have it back yet".
William G Roy, serving aboard the Yorktown during the battle as a photographer, praised, "....your fine book. I still read it..... I have it by my bed."
The Japanese historian Ryunosuke V. Megumi stated:- "I marvel at your research, knowledge and effort. I would like every Japanese to read it. I say again your book is great, it is, in itself, an historic work!"
Former dive-bomber pilot Chuck Downey praised what he termed a, "magnificent treatment of the pivotal air/sea battle", adding that he was "re-reading it for the third time." He also stated: "Your outstanding grasp of all the Midway components (told with the master's touch you have), is a true masterpiece for all time! I congratulate you for bringing ALL facts surrounding this epic to the table, sorting them correctly according to importance and presenting the entire picture accurately. I salute you for producing this world-class account. Bravo-Zulu!"
US Navy dive-bomber veteran Commander George Walsh wrote: "Long before the end I was cheering!" More recently he contacted the author, stating that he frequently refers back to Midway Dauntless Victory. He wrote- "This makes me realize what a monumental job you have done in researching and writing the book. It far surpasses anything you have done previoulsy and puts you right up there with Lundstrom, Cressman and Parshall, as an authority."
Evelyn M. Cherpak, Ph. D, Head, Naval Historical Collection at the Naval War College wrote: "It is very impressive and well done. You have done such thorough research."
Respected naval historian Norman Polmar wrote that he, "..continue to be impressed; the book is both interesting and easy to read. No comment on your reference notes -- an unbelievable effort." He added, "..the book is a masterpeice of research and reads very well."
J A "Kim" Beale of the International Midway Memorial Foundation wrote: "I have derived enormous pleasure from reading MIdway Dauntless Victory. The amount of research and substantiation you did is amazing. It taught me a great deal. I was particularly interested in your comments on Dick Best. I knew him reasonably well and everything you say about him is entirely consistent with his chats with me at his home and on various trips to Midway..."
Ron Russell of the Battle of Midway Round Table stated the book was "..an immense body of work that, on balance, may be the most comprehensive BOM history ever produced." He also commented that, "It was exhaustively researched through veteran interviews and archive examination in both the U.S. and Japan. It excels in the depth of its analysis of virtually every facet of the battle and of virtually any circumstance in history for which the battle has some degree of relevance." He concludes: "The book ranks favorable among the very best and most important histories of the Battle of Midway."
Reviewer T Rinehart on Amazon USA called it a "Gripping Historical Account".
Robert O Dulin, Jr, writing in Marine Technology, stated that it is an "impressive and exhaustively-researched book." He continues: "Mr Smith's work is remarkably thorough, even-handed, and fair. Any reader who is serious about understanding the Battle of Midway must also now include Midway Dauntless Victory in his studies." He concluded that the book, " is truly a 'keeper' - a superb, well-written historical analysis by a remarkably well-qualified and fair author."
John Rickard of the History of War Encyclopedia wrote- "Congratualtions on an excellent book" and the review there summarises that, "The use of contemporary documents and first-hand accounts of the battle provides us with an invaluable reference work on both the battle and the debates it has caused."
Writing on the SubSim and Epinion sites, Daryl Carpenter says:- "Another book on the Battle of Midway?! Yes, but this one is actually worth your time!" In his comprehensive survey he states, "It's packed with interviews with surviving principals, tables, flight crew rosters, discussion of naval tactics and equipment and mini-biographies of every major player. Besides that, it includes an extremely comprehensive notes section, with more than 1,200 footnotes spread throughout the book." He added that there were,"...almost 100 photographs, many of which were new to me," and concludes: "As one of the first Americans to acquire a copy, I hope it will find a large audience..... I wish it the greatest success..."
Jeff Stevenson writing on The SteelNavy said: "In my view this is a superb book. Well researched with incredibly detailed footnotes and cross references, the author has done a magnificent job in assembling and presenting his facts and opinions. There is a good selections of photographs... I plan to return to this volume and re-read it at a slower pace. It was really 'un-put-downable on first read. Thoroughly recommended."
Captain Grant C. Young, USN (Rtd.), who flew torpedo-bomber combat missions from the Enterprise and later the Intrepid , wrote that he thought the book was, "an outstanding study." He continued:- "...you have done a masterful job of painting a great picture of one of the most significant battles the world has ever witnessed. Your reading and analysis of many earlier works by other authors on the subject of the Battle of Midway, together with your own exhaustive and diligent research in interviews with a number of surviving American and Japanese participants in the engagement have lent authenticity to your story." He added, "...you have done a magnifient job of research on the issues. I have never read a history book that provided, in its footnotes, such rich biographical details of the principals and lesser actors in the course of the action, as well as a thorough recording of your sources and record materials. Very well done." He concluded: "I though I had finally covered the last word on this issue - a piece of cake. But then came your review and analysis in Midway Dauntless Victory and provided me further illumination- great frosting on my 'cake'. Thank you for that."
Paul Corio said it was, "...an excellent work. Your treatment of the TBD squadrons (my main area of interest as it's the focus of my screenplay) was superb. I think you will have great success with it."
The Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association (FAAOA) stated:- "Peter Smith has, with this book, comprehensively analysed all phases of the battle....." adding, "If indeed Midway has not grasped the attention of the naval reader in the UK, then this book will certainly now be a must, and certainly so for Naval and Air Historians of all shades in the United States.." Calling it, "..an illuminating volume" and commenting how "..each page carries copious notes", an arrangement which was "....better than having to continually refer to notes at the end of a chapter or at the back of the book" the reviewer considered the book to be a "...quite exceptional work." He concluded unequivocably - "The book comes highly recommended."
Historian Ray Wagner, writing in the San Diego Aerospace Museum Newsletter, stated that, while Shattered Sword raised our knowledge, this book - "...analyzes that struggle with even more complete detail, and an objectivity that only an outsider could offer." He added - "Biographies of nearly all the leaders and pilots are provided....." and that, "Most of the 97 photos of aircraft and men have not been seen before in books, and strong captions are grouped together for easy reference." He said: "Midway Dauntless Victory is the most useful single book about that air battle, since careful references and thorough operational comparisons make it possible to trace each issue to the source." He also wrote that it was an "..excellent book!", and that the Author had- ".... done what a good historian must do by presenting the relevant facts and opinions without fear or favor!"
The Air-Britain Aeromilitaria reviewer Jim Halley said- "In 358 pages of small type, the author has gone into great detail about the operations and background at Midway" He notes that the book, "... has taken into account all the post-war documents that have been released in the sixty years after the battle and analysed them", adding that, "Useful is the inclusion of parts of Admiralty reports and analysis where there was no need to be tactful to either side." He concluded that it was - "Well-worth ploughing through the tightly-packed text and footnotes for an overview of one of the most important naval aviation battles."
From Finland, Jukka Juutinen, while stating the book was "'darn good", also highly praised the "rare-to-see book layout", adding, "I mean the small, well-chosen font, two columns plus all footnotes on the same page" which he considered "....makes the book a real pleasure to read."
Critic Stephen Banks was rather less enamoured by the layout, while some typesetter "glitches" in the 320,000-word text, reduced his rating to just four-star, but he still felt, "Deep analysis wins through", recording that the Author had attempted, "..to present a truly accurate description of the events. He has also interviewed many of the survivors, especially in Japan, for which great credit is due. In short, it's the book I have been waiting for..." He also wrote, "... this IS a very detailed account with a comprehensive analysis of every stage of the battle...", adding. "At several points the text really lights up!" He concluded that- "It is good to see a measured account that tries to set the record straight....", concluding that this book, encompassing as it does, "....the demolition of so many myths and a measured presentation of what most probably actually happened, is a joy to read."
Gerald D. Swick, Senior Online Editor of the Weider History Group in the on-line magazine Armchair General speculates-"Was victory at Midway really a 'miracle?' A new book raises many questions." It continues: "Smith asks, did the Battle of Midway really represent an 'Incredible Victory' or a 'Miracle' as some historians would have it? Was it a battle won despite all the odds, or was it not so one-sided as has previously been made out?"
That doyen among Japanese Historians and Translators, Professor Akira Shimizu, wrote of Midway Dauntless Victory that he had, "...been deeply absorbed by your book and shaken into refreshing my thoughts" having read it with, "keen attention to your observations and by comparing them with other Japanese documents, including Senshi Sosho." He added he had also compared it favourable with his own.... "extensively collection of all the relevant Japanese information, including the opinion of his IJNA 77th Classmates." He considered that the book "...would arouse a public response in Japan" and that it deserved to become a, "textbook for Japanese High Schools and Colleges, in both English and Japanese-language editions", which, in his sincere opinion , "would certainly create sensation among the excellent students as a simultaneous study of both English AND History."
The Russian historian, Alex G. Bolnykh, wrote about the book that, "It is wonderful, as usual." He though Midway Dauntless Victory was a reason why, on this subject, "..you are regarded in Russia as one of the best authors, combining good language with exact and deep research."
The book was featured on Jim Agnew's Daily Book Picks 2008 in April, and yet again in May when it cited the authors Memorable Lines which concerned SBD Group Leader Wade McClusky seaching for the Japanese Fleet and sighting a lone destroyer at speed. "He decided to 'tag along' and see what turned up. What turned up was the 1st Kudo Butai....", lines which "encapsulates this, the most crucial moment of the whole battle."
Jim Zebora, Managing Editor of Connecticut newspaper, The Greenwich Time, wrote that, "British historian Peter C. Smith, author of the book, Midway Dauntless Victory, as well as New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, believe that it was dive-bombers in this battle, that altered the course of World War II." He stated, "Smith said the role of the dive bombers at Midway is one of several facts about the battle that have tended to be underplayed or even deliberately and disgracefully ignored ....since 1942", but that he was proud to record that Greenwich Time was not one of those so guilty, and that they, through United Press dispatches at the time, was one newspaper at least, that actually got it right both at the time, and since.
The Canadian Forces College (College des Forces Canadiennes), at North York, Ontario, announced in May 2008, that it had added the book to their Reference Cataloge Holdings.
Barrett Tillmann, famed American Naval Aviation historian, pilot and author of a novel on the SBD at Midway, stated that his overall impression was that the book was, "..a tremendous achievement." He added, "Even John Lundstrom has commented favorably on the overall contribution to the subject. I believe that he and Ron Russell rendered their critiques in context of extremely knowledgeable individuals who have immersed themselves in 1942 generally and Midway specifically". He found the sheer volume of footnotes "daunting" and that they sometimes "..overwhelm the main text", although conceeding that he usually likes such notes to appear on the same page for convenience. He commented that- "Overall, the most useful notes are the career biographies, making a handy reference within a reference." He disagreed with some points the volume threw up, believing, as one example, that Fletcher actually had more wartime carrier experience than Halsey at the time of the battle, and also, on another hypothesis raised in the book, that there was simply no doctrine at the time to concentrate the American carriers, even though it might well have made good sense to have done so. However, Barrett concluded that -"Despite the criticisms, perhaps my most relevant statement is that Midway Dauntless Victory goes on my 'ready locker' shelf, rather than in deep storage with most of my reference material!"
Ron Martell, whose father-in-law served aboard Yorktown, and who is conducting his own research into aspects of the battle, told the author - "I have read your book Dauntless Victory and enjoyed it tremendously. I found that you reported matters thoroughly and in an even-handed manner, which I appreciated." He later added - "I liked your book because you set forth the contrary viewpoints and allowed your readers to make up their own minds. Some of the research of others is, at best, questionable and, as you point out, as the years go by finding the truth gets more difficult." He re-iterated the same point later, acknowledging that, "...the Battle of Midway is fraught with inconsistencies and inaccuracies ranging from innocent to outright fabrication" but, "In your book I thought you did an excellent job of stating the different sides of the issues. Sometimes you gave your conclusions and sometimes you left it to the reader-- unlike some other authors who seem to have had an agenda to hew to."
C. Peter Chen, Editor of the World War 2 Data Base, reviewing the book, said, "Midway Dauntless Victory presents a holistic view," noting that, "Smith took a departure from the standard approach." As he read deeper into the book, "...I realized what Smith meant in the Introduction of the book, when he noted that everyone should have their point of view heard," but that, in order to fairly balance that approach, "....he also gave equal weight to new research, presenting modern findings and analyzes how they changed our understanding of the battle today." He continued, "...his meticulous research cannot be denied" acknowledging, "..the value of the detailed battle play-by-play found in Midway Dauntless Victory". He stated, "I was rather quickly impressed by the rich footnotes, which sometimes took up around 80% of a page, many of them containing valuable information, not necessarily related to Midway but [which] still shed insight to the understanding of the battle." Noting how the authors research, "..included many flights to Japan and the United States to speak to veterans on both sides who shaped the very battle", he considered, "All the different research methods Smith employed brought together a great account of the battle" His summary was that, "Needless to say, this is a book that I will recommend."
Warship World's reviewer found it clear, "...that the Author believes passionately in the subject and has spent many years of research, including studies in both the USA and Japan, to produce a work of importance. His arguments are convincing and benefit from new research....", adding, "..the Author gives an interesting British viewpoint on the importance of the battle and the tactics employed that I have not seen in other works." Noting the "copious foot-notes" and "the biographies of most of the key personalties", he concludes: "This book is not a quick or easy read, but is recommended for readers who want to study not just the Battle of Midway itself, but the command and control of forces at the dawning of the age of three-dimensional naval warfare...."
The United States Naval Institute's Naval History magazine's reviewer noted:- "...British author Peter Smith's book not only retells the familiar story, it does so to a depth that is rarely, if ever seen. He largely eschewed the battle's time-honored and well-worn references, instead undetaking original research into official archives in both the United States and Japan, as well as extensive first-person interviews with Midway veterans in both countires. The result is an account of the battle that may somewhat resemble other volumes in style but definitely not in scope." The book is literally crammed with detailed footnotes...that immensely expand the narrative. The first appearance of virtually every notable Midway personality, even some of the minor players, is accompanied by a lengthy biographical footnote. Other notes and tables give an abundance of detail on the ships, aircraft, and squadrons engaged at Midway, including listings of every [dive-bomber] pilot and aircrew that launched from the atoll and from the American carriers on every combat sortie... Smith projects far beyond the battle with expansive segments concerning Midway's impact on numerous other nations, Allied and Axis, and how it was perceived by still others."
Despite such effusive praise, the magazine's reviewer was highly critical of some aspects of the book with which he personally disagreed, notably for it pointing out that alternate viewpoints on some controversial subjects actually still exist in some quarters and also of typesetting errors which he discovered, although he also acknowledges that the these latter have been promised to be fully corrected as soon as possible in subsequent printings. Despite his opinions on some points that he found questionable, the reviewer stated that, although these, in his own personal view, "......tarnish an otherwise impressive volume of wartime history, they are easily lost in its scope, which is richly detailed and mostly accurate." He concludes that, despite some "structual errors" and some "arguable assertions", Midway Dauntless Victory, "...should make a worthy addition to any naval history library...."