Nimitz

I had looked forward to reading this book since the time it was published, just somehow never got around to it. 'Be also been a fan of FltAdm Nimitz since I was a small boy. I've read a lot about WWII in the interim and in that light, I was just a bit disappointed. I came away thinking the book was perhaps a little kind to the great Admiral. He was a great Admiral, make no mistake, but still human. The book makes zero overt mention of the despicable treatment of CDR Joe Rochefort following Midway. It does, a bit obliquely, toss in a tidbit missed by most commentators, the contemporaneous appearance of CAPT John Redman on the PACFLT staff. John Redman, of course was the OP-20-G chap embarrassed by Rochefort in forecasting the Japanese moves at Midway and also younger brother of RADM Redman, one of Nimitiz' boat school contemporaries. I believe the transfer was forced by ADM King, and Nim could do nothing without causing trouble with his boat school buddy. Further, as Rochefort was an unlikely flag candidate, even in wartime,he became a sacrificial pawn in the game of Navy politics. All simply ignored by Potter, the commentator best able to expose it, with no real cost any of the players, all of whom had passed on. Disappointing, even for a friend of Nimitz. Otherwise, a great read about a great leader.

In this almost-official biography of Nimitz, naval historian E. B. Potter emphasizes facts over interpretation. He has an understandable hesitation to second-guess the military decisions of Admirals Chester Nimitz and “Bull” Halsey, among many others. I was more disappointed that he did not really delve in Admiral Nimitz’s personality or values, since that’s generally the role of a biographer.Potter knew Nimitz, and was part of a team who collaborated with him (and others) as a history of sea power. He clearly admires the admiral, but his portrait is often hagiographic – Nimitz loved the navy, was a gifted strategic thinker and administrator, and loved the family from whom he was generally absent. We get some hints of other characteristics – probably too obsessed with punctuality, leaning toward self-righteousness, gregarious but emotionally distant.Since a five-star admiral must be a diplomat in dealing with allies, and a politician when dealing with Washington DC, I would have liked to learn more of Nimitz’s political values. He did not like FDR’s politics but got on well with the man, he had faith in the mission of the United Nations after the war, and he disapproved of McCarthyism though concerned about possible subversion. Nimitz was also out of step with American society in prohibiting women in uniform from serving at his headquarters (Pearl Harbor and then Guam). WACs, WAVEs, and WASPs obviously served with distinction in auxiliary roles during the war, but never in his sight. That’s a character flaw that his contemporaries may have pointed out at the time, but we do not hear such criticisms – nor really any criticisms – of the admiral’s character or values.Potter makes an excellent decision when telling the story of World War II, the decisive part of Admiral Nimitz’s life. Recognizing that his biography could become just another history of the war, Potter avoids the role of omniscient narrator. Instead, we see the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, the Philippine Sea, and Leyte Gulf through Nimitz in this war room. This means we see the fog of war, the imperfect intelligence, the frustration with subordinate officers hundreds of miles away. Nimitz tried not to give instructions to his admirals during battle, recognizing that the men on the scene were better placed to make all decisions. On those rare occasions he broke this rule, it’s interesting to see how he reached that conclusion.The book draws on many oral history projects as well as the author’s acquaintance with his subject. That’s an important contribution. Later biographers will have the emotional distance and historical perspective with which to provide a more rounded portrait of the man.

If you want a hero for yourself or your sons Admiral Nimitz should be on your short list. He is the polar opposite of Gen. McArthur in personality and thus far less well known especially to the current generation. The author does a wonderful job in describing the Admiral in detail and is obviously an admirer of him and what he achieved. Makes you proud to know we still have men like this to look back on and reflect what it means to be an unselfish patriot.

As a Navy veteran and history buff I've been doing a lot of reading, both fiction and nonfiction, on war and the people involved when it struck me that I knew very little about Admiral Nimitz. He along with the egocentric MacArthur ran the Pacific War,after all, yet I knew very little about him. This is even after I've visited the National Museum of the Pacific War. As the Pacific War did mostly take place in the ocean and on islands Adm Nimitz had a VERY large roll to play. I knew a lot more about the admirals who served him and the ships named after them. Now I know why the largest of the ships was named after him.He wasn't a man to seek the limelight but one who was steadfast in his mission. He was a leader who could see both the strategic and tactical picture and who knew the strengths and weaknesses of the men under him and how to utilize them. He knew that he might not have always been the smartest guy in the room and was open to suggestions but the final decision was his. His temperament was of a calm strength who knew he was sending actual humans into harm's way and never took that lightly. All the blame was always his and the glory belonged to those who made it happen.All in all his goodness is what made him a great leader.E. B. Potter has written a book that is an enjoyable read with truly nail biting battle reports as well as in depth details of the people involved.

Great read of a sailor to be remembered for living a life that is an example for all to follow in how to be remembered in leaving this world better than which he found it. Having read several other historical events ,details and battles about WWII in the Pacific, I find Nimitz to be clearly articulated as to how Admiral Nimitz exercised his wisdom based on daily information and sitreps that he received and perceived as to how best to proceed and lead. The reader can then follow the results as Admiral Nimitz saw the events unfold and not just as to the actual real time events, as it may have been days before the actual happenings became clear to Admiral Nimitz and staff. A book well done!

Nimitz was a five star admiral and he has had a five star book written about him. A superb read which covers his whole life from ensign on the china station through to his command of the big blue fleet in the second world war. I could not put the book down and that is down to how the book is written. Nimitz showed that he was the supreme leader of his generation and was able to bring the best out of the men under him. Loved it.

a great book about a great admiral,E.B POTTER,is the best biographer of military subjects ever.i love books that cover a sujects full life.

Ce livre mériterait 5 étoiles mais il nie, page 6, la responsabilité de ROOSEVELT et de tout américain pour Pearl Harbor.Ce livre nous fait vivre la guerre vécue par NIMITZ, présente son intelligence stratégique et relationnelle.Points remarquables :page 1, NIMITZ annonce à son fils dès 1935 ce qui va se passer à Pearl Harbor.page 232, les torpilles US ne fonctionnent pas jusqu'en septembre 1943.page 261, la leçon de Tarawa sur les fortifications japonaises.page 280, l'impudence de MACARTHUR.page 304 le Marianas Turkey Shoot.page 368, Iwo Jima sauve 27000 aviateurs de 2400 B29.page 368, le raid sur Tokyo fait 83793 victimes.page 369, un kamikaze touche le navire amiral de SPRUANCE.Et le scoop en page 435/437, NIMITZ fait partie du Bohemian Club.Lorsque j'avais 10 ans, je dévorais "Le survivant du Pacifique", de Georges BLOND, sur le porte-avions Enterprise. Suite à l’achat du DVD « Midway » d’EMMERICH, je me suis replongé, pendant le confinement, dans la bataille de Midway en achetant 16 ouvrages passionnants :"Pacific payback" de Stephen L.MOORE : sur les aviateurs, le meilleur ouvrage.« The final secret of Pearl Harbor » du contre-amiral Robert A.THEOBALD, sur ROOSEVELT responsable des 2403 morts.« Admiral Kimmel's Story » de Husband E.KIMMEL : la défense de l'amiral commandant Pearl Harbor.« A Matter of Honor: Pearl Harbor: Betrayal, Blame, and a Family's Quest for Justice » de Anthony SUMMERS et Robbyn SWAN : ouvrage paradoxal qui nie la responsabilité de ROOSEVELT tout en documentant le contraire.« Days of Infamy: Macarthur, Roosevelt, Churchill-The Shocking Truth Revealed : How Their Secret Deals and Strategic Blunders Caused Disasters at Pearl Harbor and the Philippines » de John COSTELLO : sur la provocation bancale de ROOSEVELT, MARSHALL et MACARTHUR.« The first South Pacific campaign » de John B.LUNDSTROM, sur la période du 7/12/1941 au 4/6/1942 : SPRUANCE retiendra que « Le 1er qui repère l’autre et qui tire avec ses bombardiers en piqué gagne » !« Joe Rochefort’s war » d’Elliot CARLSON, sur les casseurs de codes.« Never call me a hero » N.Jack « Dusty » KLEISS : souvenirs d'un des 2 pilotes qui a coulé 2 porte-avions japonais le 4/6/42.« Midway l’incroyable victoire » de Walter LORD, ouvrage détaillé.« La bataille de Midway » de Michel HERUBEL, ouvrage détaillé.« Miracle at Midway » de Gordon W.PRANGE, ouvrage détaillé.« Juin 1942 La bataille de Midway Le tournant de la guerre du Pacifique » de Mark HEALY, ouvrage très bien illustré, intéressant.« The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) » de Craig L.SYMONDS : ouvrage synthétique et détaillé.«  A Glorious Page in Our History: The Battle of Midway, 4-6 June, 1942 » de Robert J.CRESSMAN : ouvrage le plus complet.« Shattered sword The untold story of the Batlle of Midway », de Jonathan PARSHALL et Anthony TULLY, somme exhaustive très technique."Nimitz" de E.B.POTTER.