Neptune's Inferno
The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal
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Neptune's Inferno
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Narrated by:
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Robertson Dean
About this listen
With The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors and Ship of Ghosts, James D. Hornfischer created essential and enduring narratives about America’s World War II Navy, works of unique immediacy distinguished by rich portraits of ordinary men in extremis and exclusive new information. Now he does the same for the deadliest, most pivotal naval campaign of the Pacific war: Guadalcanal.
Neptune’s Inferno is at once the most epic and the most intimate account ever written of the contest for control of the seaways of the Solomon Islands, America’s first concerted offensive against the Imperial Japanese juggernaut and the true turning point of the Pacific conflict. This grim, protracted campaign has long been heralded as a Marine victory. Now, with his powerful portrait of the Navy’s sacrifice - three sailors died at sea for every man lost ashore - Hornfischer tells for the first time the full story of the men who fought in destroyers, cruisers, and battleships in the narrow, deadly waters of “Ironbottom Sound”. Here, in brilliant cinematic detail, are the seven major naval actions that began in August of 1942, a time when the war seemed unwinnable and America fought on a shoestring, with the outcome always in doubt. But at Guadalcanal the US proved it had the implacable will to match the Imperial war machine blow for violent blow.
Working from new interviews with survivors, unpublished eyewitness accounts, and newly available documents, Hornfischer paints a vivid picture of the officers and enlisted men who took on the Japanese in America’s hour of need: Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, who took command of the faltering South Pacific Area from his aloof, overwhelmed predecessor and became a national hero; the brilliant Rear Admiral Norman Scott, who died even as he showed his command how to fight and win; Rear Admiral Daniel Callaghan, the folksy and genteel “Uncle Dan”, lost in the strobe-lit chaos of his burning flagship; Rear Admiral Willis Lee, who took vengeance two nights later in a legendary showdown with the Japanese battleship Kirishima; the five Sullivan brothers, all killed in the shocking destruction of the Juneau; and many others, all vividly brought to life.
The first major work on this essential subject in almost two decades, Neptune’s Inferno does what all great battle narratives do: It cuts through the smoke and fog to tell the gripping human stories behind the momentous events and critical decisions that altered the course of history and shaped so many lives. This is a thrilling achievement from a master historian at the very top of his game.
©2011 James D. Hornfischer (P)2011 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"Outstanding. The author offers balanced assessments of the leaders on both sides, but the real heroes are the American bluejackets, who too often paid with suffering and death for those leaders' slowness to learn. And as in his first two books, the author's narrative gifts and excellent choice of detail give an almost Homeric quality to the men who met on the sea in steel titans." (Booklist, starred review)
"This work's major strengths are its careful organization, readable prose, and...well-reasoned conclusions. Depictions of battles and ships are enlivened with...apt comments from participants and relevant character sketches of the key figures." (Proceedings Magazine)
"Neptune's Inferno is an exceptional piece of military history. Hornfischer has broadened and deepened our understanding of the U.S. Navy's role in the Solomons campaign in this eminently readable account of the bloody naval battles of attrition in the fall of 1942 that doomed the Imperial Japanese Navy to defeat and irrevocably shifted the strategic initiative in the Pacific War." (Dr. Peter R. Mansoor, colonel, US Army (ret.), Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History, The Ohio State University)
What listeners say about Neptune's Inferno
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Andy
- 06-06-14
How the US Navy fought for Guadalcanal
James Hornfischer has produced a brilliant account of the World War II US Navy in the Pacific theatre.
Moving back in time from the subject of his previous book 'The Last Stand of the Tin-can Sailors', Hornfischer on this occasion deals with how the US Navy fought for, and almost lost, the campaign for the Solomon Islands.
Hornfischer explains events at the strategic, tactical and individual level and, even if the lack of maps (the one big drawback of the audiobook version) is keenly felt in places, the writing is clear and the story easy to follow. He is also careful to explain the thoughts and motivations of the Japanese military as well as the reasons for their initial successes and subsequent failure to hold the island.
Although Guadalcanal is often seen as a marine corps affair (e.g. HBO's 'The Pacific'), Hornfischer's book made me realise just how much the ground troops relied on the navy and the sometimes severe consequences which resulted when they weren't present. He also successfully makes the case for the importance of the 'black shoe' navy, whose big guns, and bigger ships, have traditionally been regarded as an obsolescent when compared to the more celebrated carrier arm.
Robertson Dean's reading is impeccable (although his slightly stentorian style takes a little getting used to if you haven't heard one of his readings before) even if a few RAN warships have to suffer the American pronunciation of their names.
Really recommended if you are interested in WWII or naval history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Pomerol
- 12-10-23
Moving
A super history which moves easily between the grand narrative and the feelings of individual officers and men.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- zoe
- 06-11-20
fantastic book
brilliant book great to listen to it can't wait to get on the next one
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Grant Lucas
- 13-09-21
Gripping
I have listened to this book twice. Unlike most history times that are dry and boring, this brings the human element in and that makes it far more relatable. At times it has moved me to tears and gripped me from beginning to end. Robertson Dean is excellent at reading it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-11-21
Well written, well read. History at it's best
Jim Hornfischer is one of the best naval historians there is. Sadly he passed away way too early in June of 2021 but luckily for the rest of us he leaves behind a handful of great books on US centered Naval history. Whether or not you are a history buff or just interested in military stuff James D. Hornfischer should be your go to guy. This book is full of the greatest of courage, the greatest of leadership, the greatest of brotherhood among men at war, but also of great mistakes, great errors of judgement, of oversight and failure, of great men being only human after all. Plus respect for the enemy. My highest recommendations for this book and the rest of Hornfischers books. Kim Guldberg Major, The Guard Hussar Regiment Subject Matter Expert Cyber
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 16-08-20
A very good listen
Extremely powerful and well written, exceptionally hard hitting at times. I would definitely recommend it.
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- Liam W
- 13-10-24
Fantastic story of historic events
Fantastic story of historic events - another highlight is the narrator Roberson dean, his deep voice and cadance of the narration is excellent for audio books, and lends itself perfectly for this moving story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rick B
- 06-03-18
Great story
Fantastic account of one of the largest but little appreciated (at least in the UK) Naval actions of WW2.
The narrator is however very monotone, which some may find difficult going.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mike B16
- 01-09-20
Great for professional and interested alike!
As a military professional this is a book with many lessons! Not just for the Navy but for all services. It gives a fair account of the actions of commanders of both sides which draws many leadership and command lessons out. It is also well researched and well written which makes it a good read/listen for anyone with an interest in military history.
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