Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942

By: Ian W. Toll

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Audie Award Nominee, History, 2013

The planning, the strategy, the sacrifices and heroics - on both sides - illuminating the greatest naval war in history. On the first Sunday in December 1941, an armada of Japanese warplanes appeared suddenly over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Six months later, in a sea fight north of the tiny atoll of Midway, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sent into the abyss.

Pacific Crucible tells the epic tale of these first searing months of the Pacific war, when the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history and seized the strategic initiative. Ian W. Toll's dramatic narrative encompasses both the high command and the "sailor's-eye" view from the lower deck. Relying predominantly on eyewitness accounts and primary sources, Pacific Crucible also spotlights recent scholarship that has revised our understanding of the conflict, including the Japanese decision to provoke a war that few in the country's highest circles thought they could win. The result is a pause-resistant history that does justice to the breadth and depth of a tremendous subject.

©2011 Ian W. Toll (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“An entertaining, impressively researched chronicle of the tense period between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and American victory at the battle of Midway....Toll gives everyone involved in the conflict a chance to speak, bringing readers into the command centers and cockpits to reveal the humanity of combatants on both sides of the Pacific.” ( Kirkus)

“Revealing and poignant, Toll’s latest deftly navigates the rough waters of the Pacific struggle with flying colors.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Narrator Grover Gardner gives an applaudable narration of this detailed history of the Pacific Theater in WWII…Gardner presents the many historical details in this work with an easygoing pace and precise enunciation that quickly draw in the listener and never let go. Rather than affecting an accent for quotations, he adjusts his inflection slightly, which works well. Novices and history buffs will find this performance a treat and want to hear the continuation of the story.” ( AudioFile)

One of the best books on the beginning of WWII

What did you love best about Pacific Crucible?

I downloaded it because it had Grover Gardener as the narrator & it was a WWII history book – two of my favorite things! Turns out it was so engrossing, it was very hard to put down and hit the pause button. It gave some great new insight into the period from Pearl Harbor to Midway, and I was pretty bummed out when it ended.

Which scene was your favorite?

The background given to each of the Admirals (King, Nimitz, and the others) really brings them to life. In addition, I found the narrative he weaves of the events leading up the Midway and the days of the battle very well done. As usual, Gardener does an extraordinary job of making you feel like he is sitting right there, bringing a story to life and illuminating the text for you. It's very hard to listen to an audiobook by any other narrator once you've just finished a Gardener book.

Any additional comments?

WWII histories are among my favorites, but this one really brought everything to life in a way that not many actually do.

Outstanding detailed account of the first critical

Overall view of the conflict is well balanced yet detailed enough to get into the meat of the subject.

History can be Awesome!

I work in the Ship Repair industry and love to read and hear about Naval history. Ian Toll writes in a way that is both educational and vastly engaging. The narrator does a great job of bringing Toll's writing to life making it very addictive and entertaining. If you enjoy Naval history, war buff, or just history in general. Do yourself a favor and give this one a try.

Great book, interesting details, excellent narrator.

This was an excellent book. Showed the thoughts and strategies of both sides during the first year of the war in Pacific.

Outstanding

Wonderful history of the war in the Pacific. As usual, Grover Gardner’s narration is superb.

Fantastic!

The best book I've seen to date on this subject. Can't wait for the follow-up book.

fascinating read.

I am a mature student of history but listening to the battles described by the author were fascinating. l especially appreciated the background on Torpedo 8 at Midway before they fateful rendevous.

Outstanding!

A very honest book that tells of the terror, courage, grief, joy, and determination of both side, from the win at Guadalcanal to the twisted accounts of our great victory at Midway. Japan's refusal to accept the truth of their loss to the unwashed barbarians of the U.S.
The U.S.'s massive industrial support of the war, the book describes, was key to our victory but the political rancor and opportunism was rife.

The narration was excellent and fully expressed the depth of the dedication and
accurate emotions of
American and Japanese fighting men.

Very good workmanship. A solid book.

Would you listen to Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 again? Why?

Not really, but that is because the subject is well known to me and I listened to this one to get new angles and new details.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It's a history book.... I got the focus I wanted, and that was what it promised. A blow by blow reading of the US experience of ww2 in the pacific 1941-1942, The author covers some japanese history and the major japanese commanders, and likewise for the americans. The main focus is how the battles came to be, was executed and their strategic consequences, and that is told very well.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

He did a solid job at not getting noticed. His delivery was clear and precise, which is important to me as a non-native english speaker. He emphasized the events but did not go over the top trying to make it sound like a movie trailer. I will look for him as a reader in the future

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Pacific crucible would be a good one I think.

Any additional comments?

The three stars on the story is that low because the the events are so well known and this is not a work of fiction.

Great Book

A fantastic work. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more.