Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of Her Survivors

Book Description

"Son, we’re going to Hell."

The navigator of the USS Houston confided these prophetic words to a young officer as he and his captain charted a course into U.S. naval legend. Renowned as FDR’s favorite warship, the cruiser USS Houston was a prize target trapped in the far Pacific after Pearl Harbor. Without hope of reinforcement, her crew faced a superior Japanese force ruthlessly committed to total conquest. It wasn’t a fair fight, but the men of the Houston would wage it to the death.

Hornfischer brings to life the awesome terror of nighttime naval battles that turned decks into strobe-lit slaughterhouses, the deadly rain of fire from Japanese bombers, and the almost superhuman effort of the crew as they miraculously escaped disaster again and again–until their luck ran out during a daring action in Sunda Strait. There, hopelessly outnumbered, the Houston was finally sunk and its survivors taken prisoner. For more than three years their fate would be a mystery to families waiting at home.

In the brutal privation of jungle POW camps dubiously immortalized in such films as The Bridge on the River Kwai, the war continued for the men of the Houston—a life-and-death struggle to survive forced labor, starvation, disease, and psychological torture. Here is the gritty, unvarnished story of the infamous Burma–Thailand Death Railway glamorized by Hollywood, but which in reality mercilessly reduced men to little more than animals, who fought back against their dehumanization with dignity, ingenuity, sabotage, will–power—and the undying faith that their country would prevail.

Using journals and letters, rare historical documents, including testimony from postwar Japanese war crimes tribunals, and the eyewitness accounts of Houston’s survivors, James Hornfischer has crafted an account of human valor so riveting and awe-inspiring, it’s easy to forget that every single word is true.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book.......2007-09-28

Excellent write-up on a little-known story. I had read of the Houston, but not of the fate of the survivors.

Ship of Ghosts - A Must Read for all Generations.......2007-07-31

Mr. Hornfischer graced my University Area Rotary Club in Austin, his home town, with an excellent talk about the saga of some of our bravest men from the greatest generation. Of course, I bought a copy of the book and it took me a few days to get through it before I hand it to my father to read. Hornfisher shows an unlikely ability to truly connect the facts of the USS Houston and her POW survivors together to tell a compelling human story of the horrors of war and the ability of man to overcome any adversity. Hornfischer is a true patriot for documenting the courage of these brave men, and I am a better man for reading this great book.

A good telling of the USS Houston and her crew.......2007-06-18

Ship of Ghosts is Mr. Hornfischer telling of the USS Houston and her crew during WWII. The USS Houston, known as the Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast (because of how many times the Japanese reported her sunk) was the flagship of the US Asiatic Fleet. In WWII she was responsible for holding and delaying the Japanese in taking Indonesia. Any ways, Mr. Hornfischer opens by telling us the early pre-war history of the USS Houston, how she was used by FDR as his yacht, and the history of the gentlemen whom Mr. Hornfischer interviewed.

After telling us about the pre-war years, Mr. Hornfisher jumps into the action of the Battle of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait. This is then followed by telling us about the crews time as POW's and working on the "Death Railway". Most of this book deals with their experience as POW's (btw, the crew of the HMAS Perth has coverage in this book, not as much as the USS Houston, but it is recognized. Also, Mr. Hornfischer cover the men of the 2nd battalion, 131st Field Artillery). In the chapters dealing with the men being prisoners of war we learn about the poor conditions they kept in and how terrible it was working in Burma on the railway (interestingly, the conditions in Thailand were worse). An interesting fact the Mr. Hornfischer points out several times is how the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai poorly represented the conditions the men served under.

Rating wise this book was very easy for me. A solid 4.5 stars. While Mr. Hornfischer did a commendable job telling us about the crew, I had two problems. First, was his book Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors was more solidly written than this one. There I felt as if I was there, this time I had someone telling me of the tale. My primary reason though for only 4.5 stars is that I'd read The Ghost That Died at Sunda Strait(by W.G. Winslow, a true 5 star book). Since I can't leave this as a half star I need to round the number. If I hadn't read Mr. Winslow's book prior, I might round up, however since I've read his book, this one gets rounded down. Sorry Mr. Hornfischer. A very good book though! It complements Mr. Winslow's nicely and picks up where Mr. Winslow chose to leave off. A very good job!

A Last-Minute Tribute.......2007-04-26

With America's WW II veterans dying at the rate of 1,500 a day, we are clearly into "the last lap". Therefore, Jim Hornfischer's excellent treatment of the cruiser Houston comes none too soon. His taut narrative actually involves two stories between the covers of one book: the ship's early combat in the Pacific and the surviving crew members' 3 1/2 year struggle for survival ashore.

There's a lesson for other researchers and authors: "the greatest generation" is fading fast, and its memories are fading even faster. Now is the time to grab the tape recorder or notepad and get the remaining veterans' stories while they are still accessible.

A Missing Piece of History.......2007-04-09

Americans generally think they know about world War II if they know about Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, the Russian Front, and the Pacific War from the perspective of island hopping coming from the east side of the Pacific. What we usually overlook is the war in Southeast Asia. John Hornfischer has written what might be two books, one about the nearly-solo fight of an isloated ship in the face of the Japanese onslsught in 1942, and the other about the unbelievable suffering of prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps building the Thailand-Burma Railroad - familiar to most of us from the sanitized version seen in the movie, The Bridge on the River Kwai. The writing is good (though not overly great); but it is the content that makes this one of the best books written about World War II, the early struggle to give ground only very dearly, the suffering enduured by our soldiers, and finally the failure to meet the real needs of soldiers trying to readjust to society after three years of captivity.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

On Seas of Glory: Heroic Men, Great Ships, and Epic Battles of the American Navy

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On Seas of Glory
Two Books in One
The Backbone of My Research
Great lesson in American Naval history
Winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award

On Seas of Glory: Heroic Men, Great Ships, and Epic Battles of the American Navy
John Lehman
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0684871769
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Book Description

In On Seas of Glory the U.S. Navy meets a storyteller worthy of its epic. John Lehman was Ronald Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, and the man most responsible for rejuvenating the service during the 1980s. Lehman here gives a sweeping narrative of the Navy, from the Revolutionary War to the present day, filled with the ships that dominated, equally titanic personalities, and the battles that made history.

Lehman profiles naval greats -- from John Paul Jones and David Glasgow Farragut to Commodore George Dewey and FDR -- but also gives credit to the lesser-known sailors who have made the U.S. Navy the mightiest in the world. On Seas of Glory uses the diaries, memoirs, and letters of average sailors to reveal naval combat as though firsthand. A powder boy during the War of 1812 recalls running to fetch cartridges through torrents of blood; the letters of the author's own father show what it was like to survive kamikaze attacks off Okinawa at the close of World War II; and the bravery of naval pilot Tim Howard during Grenada proves the spirit of John Paul Jones is not dead.

The sweeping narrative also highlights the warships that have dominated the seas of their day, and the battles in which they fought: Constitution vs. Gurriere, Stephen Decatur's United States vs. Macedonian, New Orleans, Manila Bay, Pearl Harbor, Inchon, and many more. Detailed battle maps illustrate actions great and small; woodcuts, paintings, and never-before-published photographs make war on the water still more vivid.

Amid the smoke and fire, Lehman also makes an argument. He reminds us that the legends chronicled in these pages were real men and women, and that their heroism is no less needed today. With an insider's gusto and knowledge, he fights fiercely for the continuing importance of the Navy. Alfred Thayer Mahan, the intellectual godfather of the modern U.S. Navy, said that naval power exists not just to fend off the enemy but to smite him down. On Seas of GloryOn Seas of Glory is the story of that smiting.

Customer Reviews:

On Seas of Glory.......2007-09-23

"On Seas of Glory" is the most readible and interesting history of the U. S. Navy that I have encountered. The author is a well recongnized supporter and authority on the Navy. He provides brief but detailed accounts of specific battles, ships, and individuals which have characterized the U. S. Navy since its inception during the Revolution. Even privateers and civilian sailors are included. It is a book to be read one section at a time, and then given an opportunity to "sink in," in order to really appreciate the tradition of the service, and how it has contributed to the rich history of our country. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in military or U.S. history in general.
W. B. Pruitt, Captain, U.S. Navy Reserve, Ret.

Two Books in One.......2005-10-17

On Seas of Glory seems to have two distinct sections...the story of the Continental and US Navies from their beginnings through the end of World War II, followed by a section basically covering the Cold War (and other modern wars). And the big difference is...Proofreading!

Yes, folks, the first section of the book is poorly proofed, both for facts and for readability. It reminds me of someone who gathers the kids around his chair to tell them the story of the early U.S. Navy. It's full of anecdotes, family histories, and some rather sketchy recounting of the "facts." This is obviously a labor of love, as author Lehman recounts some of his favorite sea stories from the past.

Once into the Cold War section, the tone changes completely, and the proofing goes professional. It's as if a different author put it together, and it is very, very together. Instead of battles and warriors, we are treated to the spectacle of the Navy as an instrument of policy and diplomacy, weilded by civilian politicians with varing degrees of success.

For example, President Reagan's decision to vastly increase the size and capability of the U.S. Navy is presented as one of the key factors in the bankruptcy and eventual fall of the Soviet Union.

This second half of the book is full of glorious insight from someone who served in some key positions during several administrations, ultimately as the Secretary of the Navy. It is presented in a matter-of-fact, easy-to-read format that makes it valuable for those who are novice and experienced with this material alike.

So the first half of the book gets 2 1/2 stars from me. The second part, 5-stars for sure.

The Backbone of My Research.......2005-08-08

On Seas of Glory by John Lehman is an excellent, scholarly work written by, whom better then?, a former Secretary of the Navy. I found this book to be most useful while writing my Masters' Degree thesis on the Economic and Military impact of American Privateers during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. On Seas of Glory quickly became my primary resource among the twenty-three that I had used.

I highly recommend this book to any person that is interested in U.S. History; Naval History or just have the desire to read an excellent non-fiction title. It was clear that John Lehman not only approached this work as a labor of academic endeavor, but it must have also been a labor of love.

If you enjoy this book and you are interested in other pirate related books, movies and games, visit me at my website: (...)

Great lesson in American Naval history.......2005-06-17

I picked this book up in a bargin bin at a bookstore, and I am very glad I did. This book is a great overview of US naval history, and for an amateur like me, a very informatative and entertaining read.

Winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award.......2003-11-27

From the Publisher:

ON SEAS OF GLORY is the winner of the 2003 Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature from the Naval Order of the United States.

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EPIC SEA BATTLES
Unknown
Manufacturer: PEERAGE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S5HH8K

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EPIC SEA BATTLES
S. L. MAYER
Manufacturer: OCTOPUS BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S39EQ0

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Twelve of the greatest sea battles of all time.

Epic Sea Battles
William (S.L. Mayer, Editor) Koenig
Manufacturer: Chartwell Books, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0JG2O

Customer Reviews:

Twelve of the greatest sea battles of all time........2007-05-04

With a wealth of information coupled with the writing and research talents of two experts, this is an excellent account of what will probably forever remain the 12 greatest sea battles of all time. Put together in strict date order which, after all, is the only way they could be presented, we are treated to the experts view of: The Nile 1798, Trafalgar 1805, Navarino 1827, Hampton Roads 1862, Manila Bay 1898, Tsushima 1905, Coronel & the Falklands 1914, Jutland 1916, Matapan 1941, Coral Sea 1942, Midway 1942 and finally Leyte Gulf 1944.

In addition to excellent accounts of the Battles themselves, this book demonstrates the evolution of ship building, naval tactics and the development of weapons from the great age of sail through that of the ironclad to that of the all-powerful Aircraft Carrier. It also shows how the once mighty Empirical Royal Navy finally gave way to the even mightier US Navy and the world's leading naval force. The immensely readable dialogue is perfectly supported with an excellent choice of historic paintings and photographs plus illustrations, deployment maps and charts.

Told in a manner which makes the subject come alive, this book is an altogether first rate book and an excellent choice for anyone with an interest in the overall subject.

NM

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Twelve of the greatest sea battles of all time.

Epic Sea Battles
William J. Koenig
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0706404459

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Twelve of the greatest sea battles of all time........2005-01-29

How to Build a Warship / Epic Sea Battle Off Virginia / Searching the Ocean Floor (Civil War Times Illustrated, Volume 20, Number 4)

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How to Build a Warship / Epic Sea Battle Off Virginia / Searching the Ocean Floor (Civil War Times Illustrated, Volume 20, Number 4)
Ernest Peterkin , and Edward Miller
Manufacturer: Historical Times Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000VMLAMO

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Epic Sea Battles (Military)

Manufacturer: Bounty Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0753710625

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The survivors: A true epic of the sea
Ronald Cecil Hamlyn McKie
Manufacturer: Popular Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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