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Nimitz at War

Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay

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Nimitz at War

By: Craig L. Symonds
Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
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About this listen

From America's preeminent naval historian, the first full-length portrait in over fifty years of the man who won the war in the Pacific in World War Two.

Only days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tapped Chester W. Nimitz to assume command of the Pacific Fleet. Nimitz transformed the devastated and dispirited Pacific fleet into the most powerful and commanding naval force in history.

Facing demands from Washington to mount an early offensive, he had first to revive the depressed morale of the thousands of sailors, soldiers, and Marines who served under him. And of course, he also confronted a formidable and implacable enemy in the Imperial Japanese Navy, which, until the Battle of Midway, had the run of the Pacific.

Craig Symonds's Nimitz at War captures Nimitz's composure, discipline, homespun wisdom, and most of all his uncanny sense of when to assert authority and when to pull back. As Symonds's absorbing, dynamic, and authoritative portrait reveals, it required qualities of leadership exhibited by few other commanders in history, qualities that are enduringly and even poignantly relevant to our own moment.

©2022 Craig L. Symonds (P)2022 Tantor Americas Armed Forces Military Naval Forces War Submarine Sailing Franklin D Roosevelt Air Force

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All stars
Most relevant
Seems to emerge as someone everyone both respected and liked. Very rare beast. Maybe only Eisenhower had those qualities.
He had some tough colleagues to deal with but sought common ground. He surely must have had a lot of animosity for MacArthur, but doesn’t seem to have aired it publicly.
Very fair analysis of Kimmel and PH. It could have happened to anyone doing that job.

Great description of the Pacific war - Nimitz involved in everything…

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I think that there is a lot that can be learnt about leadership from this book. Fleet Admiral Nimitz display excellent qualities of leader, from his listening skills to his patience, I hope those who are considering leader or in a position of leader read this book asking the question; what can I learn from this?

A good model of leadership

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Super book well narrated. In the UK the European Theatre of the Second World War takes centre stage in books, films etc. the war in the Pacific is less well publicised, so Nimitz although I knew of him I did not know how important he had been. Full credit to those in charge of the war in selecting him to be in charge in the Pacific., like Ike in Europe they both come across as being superb managers of men, from the bottom to the top

Nimitz: Right man, right place and right time

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This book was researched expertly by a very knowledgeable author. The language used is easy to follow and allows non-military people to read along without constantly needing a military textbook.The narration was beautiful and a pleasure to listen to.

Fantastic historical biography of Nimitz's WWII record

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As I have given it 5 stars all round and recommend it wholeheartedly, I feel I can justifiably voice my one gripe. In chapter 15 (or 16?) when discussing the tidal issues at Tarawa, the author mentions that a neap tide is also known as a spring tide. All sailors know that spring tides are pretty much the opposite to neap tides. And it’s a sad error for a naval historian to make. Did I hear it wrong? have I recalled it wrong. I genuinely don’t think so.
But, as mentioned. It’s a super work of narrative history and a must read (listen) for all Pacific War devotees.
Mr Ganser’s reading is also splendid. I have heard other works he has narrated, and find him excellent

Great work

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