Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors

In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors
In Harm's Way The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors
Author: Doug Stanton
A harrowing, adrenaline-charged account of America's worst naval disaster -- and of the heroism of the men who, against all odds, survived. — On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine. An estimated 300 men were killed upon impact; close to 900 sailors were cast into the Pacific Ocean, where ...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780805066326
ISBN-10: 0805066322
Publication Date: 4/2001
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 18

4.1 stars, based on 18 ratings
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

tamara67 avatar reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on
Helpful Score: 6
"In Harm's Way" is THE MOST detailed account of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. But the story does not end at the rescue. It gives the later in life accounts of the survivors. For anyone into History, this is a MUST read!! I couldn't put it down, until I was finished!
MELNELYNN avatar reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 669 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I would suggest you not start this book until you have time to spare because you will not want to put it down. This is a story of a terrible tragedy, suffering, pain, and survival. It is also an account of a huge mistake by the U.S.Navy in its' handling of a great Naval Officer, Capt. Charles Butler McVay. I have the hardbound copy and would not part with it. This book is a must for your library. It is laced with heros, one of which was wrongly court martialed.
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 214 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The story is riveting...because Stanton tells it simply, through the men who lived it. The writing conveys the terror of the shark attacks with piercing detail. Anyone interested in World War II history should read this book.
Very good!
Founder-PBS avatar reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Great book! I highly recommend this book. A true story of one of the most tragic events of WWII. A real test of human courage and spirit.
Read All 20 Book Reviews of "In Harms Way The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 46 more book reviews
Interesting way to look at the issues.
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 13 more book reviews
Well written, harrowing tale of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the errors that led to a delay in the rescue. Particularly touching and appalling were the accounts of the sailors left floating in the ocean for days, fighting delirium, dehydration, sharks and each other.
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on
This book is amazing. It captures the tragedy and pointlessness of the USS Indianapolis with extraordinary depth and feeling.
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 45 more book reviews
Outstanding. The author draws you into every aspect of the story right through to the epilogue which left me in tears.

A fascinating account of one of the greatest (and most unknown) tragedies of WWII. I was often reading, dumbfounded at the series of incompetent mistakes the US Navy made over and over. Definitely a must-read. Once I got to the part with the sharks, I simply couldn't put it down and had to read to the end. I cannot fathom how these men managed to survive. Loved it and am eager to read more about the South Pacific aspect of WWII.
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 496 more book reviews
Wow, what an ordeal these brave men went through. I had to skim a few parts in the beginning, but once the ship starts to sink you can't believe what they have to deal with and the Navy's incompetence that is totally covered up. Stuff like this should be in the
history books. I think it was a good read and was glad that I too now know the story of these Americans!
reviewed In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors on + 2 more book reviews
This is the best book I have read describing the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, at the end of World War II. The author has done extensive research and interviewed the remaining survivors. The book also looks into what went wrong and why no one knew the Indianapolis was missing. The captain of the Indianapolis was the only US captain of a navy ship to be court martialed for his ship being sunk during the war. I couldn't put the book down. Anyone interested in World War II and American History will enjoy this book.


Genres: