Ship of Ghosts Audiobook By James D. Hornfischer cover art

Ship of Ghosts

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

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Ship of Ghosts

By: James D. Hornfischer
Narrated by: Mark Cashman
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James D. Hornfischer, acclaimed author of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, delivers an unflinching account of heroism and honor at the limit of human endurance, and of the unsung warriors who waged one of the most remarkable battles of World War II.

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.

Hornfischer brings to life the awesome terror of nighttime naval battles that turned decks into strobe-lit slaughterhouses, until the Houston was finally sunk and its survivors taken prisoner.

For more than three years, the war continued for the crew in the brutal privation of jungle POW camps. But the men of the Houston fought back against their dehumanization with dignity, ingenuity, sabotage, willpower, and the undying faith that their country would prevail.

Using journals and letters, rare historical documents, and the eyewitness accounts of the Houston's survivors, James Hornfischer has crafted an account of human valor so riveting and awe-inspiring, it's easy to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 of it is true.

©2006 James D. Hornfischer (P)2006 Books on Tape Americas Armed Forces Military Military & War Naval Forces Wars & Conflicts World War II War Emotionally Gripping Imperial Japan

Critic reviews

Winner - United States Maritime Literature Award, 2007

"A gripping, well-told memorial to Greatest Generation martyrdom." (Publishers Weekly)
Compelling Historical Account • Detailed Naval History • Great Narration • Remarkable Survival Story • Unbiased Material
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What an absolute roller coaster of emotion. Incredibly written and well delivered. This is the America I know and miss.

INCREDIBLE

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Incredible telling of a story I had no idea about. A worthy read for anyone interested in the sacrifice of our POWs.

Stunning.

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the narration was great. the story covered more history than I thought, graphic details.

more involved than I expected.

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A true masterpiece in a specific piece of WWII naval history. This book does an amazing job of bringing to life the experiences faced by the Sailors onboard the USS Houston. Highly recommend!

Fantastic piece of history and great narration

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The story.
Which focuses on the real life events of a group of American sailors during early and urgent months through their liberation during the second world war. I have been reading military/strategic history for over 20 years and I cannot stress how powerful this book is.
A friend of my father's (who was an USN Admiral) lent me the book almost a decade ago and it instantly set the bar for all Naval reading the same way Band Of Brothers did for infantry history.
It should be a testament that I have purchased the audio version in spite of the fact I have already read the book.

One of the best books I have a ever read.

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Provided a lot of information about the start of WWII in the Pacific, not only about our allies but specific information about the treatment of our troops as POWs.

Great book

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Long book, but very much worth it. compelling and engaging. The narrator does good work.

A joyful slog

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Clever and clearly well researched, it is disarmingly engaging albeit a tad long for the subject matter. Worth a credit certainly!

A Tapestry of historical interest

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A lot of little stories about WWII POWs in Asia I'd never read anywhere else before. Those men endured hell on earth.

Fascinating

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Another astounding work by James Hornfischer. The horror of the USS Houston is just unthinkable. It's not one of the main tales one usually hears from WWII. The ship was declared destroyed at least three times before it actually was, the survivors of the sinking were taken prisoner, and too many heroic deeds were accomplished by those men it's hard to even calculate. But Hornfischer's account is so detailed and he comes as close to anyone as getting the complete picture of the Lost Battalion. Oh to have men like that today. Self-sacrificing, honorable, and humble, they willingly gave their lives for the freedoms of their country men. Americans, Australians, and all others tortured had the same fortitude. What a generation, one we will never see again. Thank you James Hornfischer and narrator Mark Cashman for your work here.

Unfathomable, Little Known Journey

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