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(I listened to the audio book)

I happened across a random news article about the discovery of the remains of the USS Johnston (DD-557), the deepest wreck ever located at 6,468.6 metres (21,222 feet). A Second World War history buff, I read with interest the story of how she came to her final resting place. Comments on the story pointed me to this book.

The Battle of Samar, part of the much larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, is not as famous as other Second World War naval engagements but its story deserves to be shared and remembered. A small force ("Taffy 3") of escort carriers (smaller, thinner-skinned ships who's aircraft were mostly used to support land-based forces) and its guardians, a handful of destroyers and destroyer-escorts, faced off against one of the mightiest Imperial Japanese fleets ever assembled that included the largest warship in existence at the time, the battleship Yamato. And while they were ably supported by nearby small fleets of similar composition, it was the tenacity of the ships of "Taffy 3" that delayed, distracted and bloodied the Japanese fleet in an effort to keep them from sailing on to destroy the landing grounds of Leyte Gulf in the Phillipines.

This is a fascinating, amazing story of battle, heroism, stoicism and loss excellently told by the narrator. The writing is grand when it needs to be, sharp when it wants to be, witty when appropriate, and respectful of both sides. The narrator makes listening easy, and puts appropriate spin on his words to differentiate quotations.

I am so glad I had this book recommended to me, and if you are at all interested in history, this is a book to which you should listen.