Synopses & Reviews
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 they remained undetected by the navy for nearly four days and nights. Battered by a savage sea, they struggled to stay alive, fighting off sharks, hypothermia, and dementia. By the time rescue arrived, all but 317 men had died. The captain's subsequent court-martial left many questions unanswered: How did the navy fail to realize the Indianapolis was missing? Why was the cruiser traveling unescorted in enemy waters? And perhaps most amazing of all, how did these 317 men manage to survive?Interweaving the stories of three survivors -- the captain, the ship's doctor, and a young marine -- journalist Doug Stanton has brought this astonishing human drama to life in a narrative that is at once immediate and timeless. The definitive account of a little-known chapter in World War II history, In Harm's Way is destined to become a classic tale of war, survival, and extraordinary courage.
Review
"Stellar...A gut-wrenching story of everyday heroes."--
New York Post"Gripping...Compelling."--Chicago Tribune
"Powerful...One of the most poignant tragedies and injustices of World War II."--Mark Bowden
"Infuriating, mesmerizing, and heartbreaking...Impossible to put down."--Rick Atkinson
"The most frightening book I've ever read."--Stephen Ambrose
"A chilling account."--The Atlantic Journal-Constitution
"Do yourself a favor. Read In Harm's Way."--James Bradley
"Stanton has created a war story that is part Titanic, part Stephen King nightmare."--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Review
"Stellar...A gut-wrenching story of everyday heroes."--
New York Post"Gripping...Compelling."--Chicago Tribune
"Powerful...One of the most poignant tragedies and injustices of World War II."--Mark Bowden
"Infuriating, mesmerizing, and heartbreaking...Impossible to put down."--Rick Atkinson
"The most frightening book I've ever read."--Stephen Ambrose
"A chilling account."--The Atlantic Journal-Constitution
"Do yourself a favor. Read In Harm's Way."--James Bradley
"Stanton has created a war story that is part Titanic, part Stephen King nightmare."--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Synopsis
"The worst part...wasn't the sharks, and it wasn't seeing your buddies die...It was when you realize...they've forgotten us. We can't last out here forever-- we're gonna die..."--Giles McCoy, private first-class, USMC, USS
IndianapolisOn the night of July 30, 1945, the Navy cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese sub, sending 900 men into the black, churning waters of the Pacific. What happened next was a nightmarish battle for survival. Injured, adrift, clinging to each other and their waterlogged life rafts, the men watched in horror as their crewmates fell victim to catastrophic injuries, exposure, hallucinations, and relentless shark attacks. Worst of all, their last radio S.O.S. had been disregarded by the Navy as a possible prank. When help finally arrived an astonishing five days later, only 317 of the ship's crew were still alive. Meticulously researched, including eyewitness reports from USS Indianapolis survivors, In Harm's Way recounts with frightening accuracy those five harrowing days at sea, and gives readers a moving, unforgettable account of the worst naval disaster at sea in U.S. history.
About the Author
A former contributing editor at
Esquire and
Outside,
Doug Stanton is now a contributing editor at
Men's Journal. He received an M.F.A. from the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. He lives in northern Michigan. An international bestseller,
In Harm's Way has been translated into German, Japanese, Danish, and Italian, and optioned by Warner Brothers to be made into a major motion picture.
In Harm's Way was a Publishers Weekly Notable Book of the Year, a Barnes and Noble.com Editor's Pick, an Amazon Historical Bestseller, and was chosen by Book magazine as "One of the ten who made it big."
For more information concerning the USS Indianapolis survivors and In Harm's Way, visit: www.ussindianapolisinharmsway.com