The Battle of Leyte Gulf was the greatest naval engagement in history. The battle was four separate actions, none of which were fought in the Gulf itself, and the result was the destruction of Japanese naval power in the Pacific. This book is a detailed and comprehensive account of the fighting from both sides. It provides the context of the battle, most obviously in terms of Japanese calculations and the search for "a fitting place to die" and "the chance to bloom as flowers of death." Using Japanese material never previously noted in western accounts, H. P. Willmott provides new perspectives on the unfolding of the battle and very deliberately seeks to give readers a proper understanding of the importance of this battle for American naval operations in the following month. This careful interrogation of the accounts of "the last fleet action" is a significant contribution to military history.

A new look at the greatest naval battle in history.

About the Author

H. P. Willmott has written extensively on warfare in general and on World War II in particular. Among his books are The Last Century of Sea Power: From Washington to Tokyo, 1922-1945 (IUP, 2010) and The Last Century of Sea Power: From Port Arthur to Chanak, 1894-1922 (IUP, 2009).

Reviews

These pages provide the reader a veritable wealth of information. The book is a valuable addition in the historiography of the Battle of Leyte Gulf specifically and to naval history and World War Two in general. It will certainly become a classic. Vol. 6, No. 4 (Winter 2011)

* Canadian Naval Review *

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is an outstanding addition to a Pacific library.August 2008

* Paper Wars *

An outstanding contribution to the military and naval history of our times.2008

-- Lisle A. Rose * World War II Quarterly *

. . . supported by clear and helpful maps, helpful appendices, and lengthy footnotes that underline the scholarship involved. It is good value as a hardback and will contribute to Indiana's reputation for publishing first-rate military history.

* History *

. . . deliciously provocative interpretation of the nature of the conflict and the reasons for American victory.

* International Journal of Maritime History *

[A]n outstanding book which can be appreciated by naval historians and those who have a general interest in the subject.

* Journal of Military History *

W. P. willmott provides new perspectives on the unfolding of the battle and very deliberately seeks to give readers a proper understanding of the importance of this battle for American naval operations in the following month. This careful interrogation of the accounts of 'the last fleet action' is a significant contribution to military history.

* McCormick Messenger *

Those who have done their preliminary reading and are ready for the advanced course on Leyte, however, will turn to Willmott. There they will have the opportunity to savor the work of a master military historian at the top of his game.

-- Robert M. Citino * HistoryNet *


Awards
Winner of Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award: American Military History 2006.



Book Information
ISBN 9780253019011
Author H. P. Willmott
Format Paperback
Page Count 424
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 689g