Barrett Tillman has a fine reputation as a Navy historian and his books come highly recommended.  I even tried reading his Clash of the Carriers, but that was back when I was still kind of new to reading histories and soon found myself over my head.  But since that time I've come to appreciate and enjoy military histories much more (particularly WWII in the Pacific) and was excited to see this book.  It's a history of the USS Enterprise, an aircraft carrier during World War II known as the "fightingest ship" due not only for the number of engagements it participated in, but more importantly for the specific battles "from Pearl Harbor almost to VJ Day."  In less than ten years of service it served our country in the most important times and places.

But Tillman is a military man who writes for other military men.  He speaks their language and connects with them in ways the rest of us can't possibly relate to.  This is a history of the ship and those who crewed it, and while the many engagements (especially by flyers) are presented here, it felt like they were summarily told without much excitement or detail.  I felt like I was awash in a sea of names at someone else's family reunion.  To be fair, those who may have served or had fathers who served on the Enterprise (or even on other Navy ships) will probably find this book an engrossing read, but I just couldn't get into it.  I'm probably better off sticking with James Hornfischer and Ian Toll - that's a little more my speed.
Barrett Tillman has a fine reputation as a Navy historian and his books come highly recommended. I even tried reading his Clash of the Carriers, but that was back when I was still kind of new to reading histories and soon found myself over my head. But since that time I've come to appreciate and enjoy military histories much more (particularly WWII in the Pacific) and was excited to see this book. It's a history of the USS Enterprise, an aircraft carrier during World War II known as the "fightingest ship" due not only for the number of engagements it participated in, but more importantly for the specific battles "from Pearl Harbor almost to VJ Day. "  In less than ten years of service it served our country in the most important times and places. But Tillman is a military man who writes for other military men. He speaks their language and connects with them in ways the rest of us can't possibly relate to. This is a history of the ship and those who crewed it, and while the many engagements (especially by flyers) are presented here, it felt like they were summarily told without much excitement or detail. I felt like I was awash in a sea of names at someone else's family reunion. To be fair, those who may have served or had fathers who served on the Enterprise (or even on other Navy ships) will probably find this book an engrossing read, but I just couldn't get into it. I'm probably better off sticking with James Hornfischer and Ian Toll - that's a little more my speed.