Danger's Hour

The Story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze Pilot Who Crippled Her

De: Maxwell Taylor Kennedy

Narrado por: Michael Prichard

Based on extensive interviews with Japanese and American survivors, letters, diaries, and other primary sources, Danger's Hour explores the May 11, 1945, attack on the USS Bunker Hill, one of the deadliest kamikaze attacks of World War II.

The book details the story of the ship herself (a technological marvel), her crew, and her kamikaze adversaries. Maxwell Taylor Kennedy shows how crucial this battle was to victory in the Pacific, even though it was overshadowed by the almost simultaneous surrender of the Nazis in Europe. With this extensive research, Kennedy tells the human story on both sides of the battle.

©2008 Maxwell Taylor Kennedy (P)2008 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A spellbinding account showing that much more than geopolitics was at stake in the Pacific war." ( Publishers Weekly)

Outstanding research

Would you listen to Danger's Hour again? Why?

Yes. I enjoyed the presentation and information contained in this book. Outstanding research on a ship, its crew and the opposing kamikaze pilots who attacked their ship. The research also included the culture and government forces in Japan that led to the systematic use of kamikaze forces.

What did you like best about this story?

The researched detail about the courageous actions of the US Navy personnel that saved their ship from total disaster.

What about Michael Prichard’s performance did you like?

He used good acting skills to give life to the printed page.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Learning about how so many of the ship's crew died due to the failed design of the ship's HVAC system and positioning of the pilot's ready room. Also, the details about the Japanese kamikaze pilot and what his remains contained and that they were retrieved.

Great Story - but difficult to listen to...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes - - The story of Bunker Hill and all the background is well-worth knowing, especially for fans of the US Navy during WW II

What other book might you compare Danger's Hour to and why?

The First Team - - Another view of the pilots and the Air Wing that accomplished so much in 1944/45 in the Pacific.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

- Irritating mis-pronunciations of words that Naval Aviators would know.
- A very strange sing-song delivery that detracted greatly from the well-crafted words.

Was Danger's Hour worth the listening time?

Maybe - I would have preferred to read it myself.

Danger's Hour.

I liked this Book. I found it very interesting and kept my interest. I would recommend it to anyone.

Lots of Potential

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The book had a lot of potential. The premise was good and there is certainly a wealth of information available to make this a great read. Unfortunately the book falls down because the author does not know his subject.

What was most disappointing about Maxwell Taylor Kennedy’s story?

While the book appears to be decently researched, the author lacks familiarity with his core subject, aircraft carrier operations. I only listened to the first three or so hours of the book, and there were so many historical and factual errors that it was too painful to go on. For example, in describing the battle of Midway he describes how the US carrier torpedo bombers were all shot down, and goes on a little later to describe how the torpedo bombers bombed the Japanese carriers (it was American dive bombers). The errors like this went on and on. It was clear he did not understand the subject.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narration seemed to be at a slow pace, but this may have been because of the writing pace of the book.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment and anger. I have studied the War in the Pacific for over 40 years, and this was my area of concentration for my degree. I was very disappointed that the book was so poorly written. It made me angry that I wasted a credit to purchase it.

Any additional comments?

I wanted to like this book. It was of a subject I like to read (or listen), and I kept hoping it would get better. Instead I just want those hours of my life back.